Screenplay data
Paul Matthews, an evolutionary biology professor, becomes an overnight sensation when he inexplicably starts appearing in everyone's dreams, initially as a passive observer. His newfound fame brings opportunities, including a book deal and a talent agent, but also causes friction with his family and colleagues. As the collective dreams turn violent, with Paul becoming an aggressor, his public image plummets, leading to ostracization, the loss of his job, and the breakdown of his marriage. Paul attempts to reconcile with his family and career, but his efforts are met with rejection and further public humiliation.
Save the Cat beat sheet
University professor Paul’s quiet life is upended when strangers across the country begin dreaming of him.
Open full beat sheetPaul Matthews is listed as Protagonist / Evolutionary Biology Professor. Middle-aged, academic, increasingly desperate for recognition and fame. In the parsed data, Paul Matthews is connected to 83 scenes, 243 dialogue lines, 243 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
83 scenes / 243 dialogue linesJanet Matthews is listed as Paul's Wife. Architect, pragmatic, increasingly concerned about Paul's behavior. In the parsed data, Janet Matthews is connected to 29 scenes, 54 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
29 scenes / 54 dialogue linesSophie Matthews is listed as Paul's Daughter. Twelve-year-old girl. In the parsed data, Sophie Matthews is connected to 13 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
13 scenes / 10 dialogue linesHannah Matthews is listed as Paul's Daughter. Fifteen-year-old girl. In the parsed data, Hannah Matthews is connected to 11 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
11 scenes / 12 dialogue linesMolly is listed as Assistant. Works at Trent's agency, has intense dreams about Paul. In the parsed data, Molly is connected to 10 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 44.
10 scenes / 49 dialogue linesTrent is listed as Talent Agent. Works at a corporate agency, eager to capitalize on Paul's fame. In the parsed data, Trent is connected to 9 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
9 scenes / 16 dialogue linesBrett is listed as Colleague. Dean or professor at Osler University. In the parsed data, Brett is connected to 8 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
8 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMary Wiggins is listed as Talent Agent. Trent's colleague. In the parsed data, Mary Wiggins is connected to 3 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 69.
3 scenes / 6 dialogue linesClaire is listed as Former flame. Academic, reaches out to Paul after dreaming about him. In the parsed data, Claire is connected to 3 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRichard is listed as Friend. Professor, acquaintance of Paul. In the parsed data, Richard is connected to 2 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 64.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSheila is listed as Academic rival. Fifty-something academic who Paul accuses of stealing his research. In the parsed data, Sheila is connected to 1 scene, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSophie experiences a surreal dream where she levitates and is pulled into the sky while Paul watches helplessly.
Paul Matthews, Sophie MatthewsThe family discusses Sophie's dream during breakfast and argues about evening plans.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsPaul prepares to leave for work and discusses his upcoming meeting with Sheila.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul rushes to class.
Paul MatthewsPaul lectures on zebra camouflage and notices students whispering about him.
Paul MatthewsPaul arrives at a restaurant and the hostess experiences deja-vu.
Paul MatthewsPaul confronts Sheila about her research and his lack of credit.
Paul Matthews, SheilaPaul listens to the recording of his meeting with Sheila and deletes it.
Paul MatthewsPaul meets Janet at the theater.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul watches the play while distracted.
Paul MatthewsPaul and Janet run into Claire, who reveals Paul has been appearing in her dreams.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, ClairePaul and Janet argue about Claire and the dreams.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul and Claire meet for coffee; Claire asks to write about the dreams.
Paul Matthews, ClairePaul overhears students talking about dreaming of him.
Paul MatthewsPaul asks Brett if he has been dreaming about him.
Paul Matthews, BrettThe family eats dinner while Paul's phone rings repeatedly.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsPaul reacts to the dinner party flashback.
Paul MatthewsRichard shows a photo of Paul to Naomi.
Brett, ClaireThe family reacts to a crash in the kitchen.
Sophie Matthews, Hannah Matthews, Janet MatthewsJanet finds Paul unconscious on the floor.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, BrettPaul discovers he has many messages and discusses them with Janet.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul is interviewed on the news about the dream epidemic.
Paul MatthewsThe family watches the news segment.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsPaul is cheered by students and discusses their dreams.
Paul MatthewsA dream sequence featuring Paul and a student.
Paul MatthewsThe student finishes describing the dream.
Paul MatthewsA dream sequence of an earthquake at the university.
Paul MatthewsPaul comments on the dream.
Paul MatthewsA dream sequence in a greenhouse.
Paul MatthewsA dream sequence in a manor house.
Paul MatthewsPaul asks for more original dreams.
Paul MatthewsStudents take photos with Paul after class.
Paul MatthewsThe family has breakfast and Hannah takes a photo of Paul.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsJanet talks to her colleague Chris about Paul's fame.
Janet MatthewsPaul and Janet discuss their dreams and Paul's fame.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsAn intruder enters the house and confronts Paul.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsA police detective interviews Paul and Janet.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul and Brett argue about Paul's newfound fame and his desire to write a book.
Paul Matthews, BrettPaul and Janet discuss the incident.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul discusses his situation with Brett.
Paul Matthews, BrettPaul arrives at a talent agency and is met by Molly.
Paul Matthews, MollyMolly admits to Paul that she dreams about him constantly.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul meets with Trent and Mary to discuss his career and potential brand deals.
Paul Matthews, Trent, Molly, Mary WigginsMolly offers to get a drink with Paul.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul calls Janet to discuss his meeting.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul and Molly have drinks; Molly describes her sexual dreams about Paul.
Paul Matthews, MollyA dream sequence showing Paul and Molly having sex.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul reacts to Molly's dream story.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul and Molly continue drinking; Paul feels observed.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul and Molly arrive at her apartment.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul and Molly attempt to reenact her dream, but the encounter ends awkwardly after Paul farts and prematurely ejaculates.
Paul Matthews, MollyPaul struggles to sleep, frustrated and anxious.
Paul MatthewsSophie has a nightmare about Paul.
Sophie MatthewsPaul discovers his rival Sheila Harper has published research on his theory.
Paul MatthewsA dream sequence where Paul strangles a student named Greta.
Paul MatthewsPaul arrives to find his lecture hall nearly empty.
Paul MatthewsA dream sequence where Paul attacks a student named Andy with a hammer.
Paul MatthewsBrett informs Paul that students are refusing to attend class due to nightmares.
Paul Matthews, BrettPaul and Janet arrive for dinner, but the atmosphere is tense.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, RichardThe dinner ends abruptly when Richard's partner has a nightmare-induced breakdown.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, RichardHR attempts to facilitate a reconciliation between Paul and his students.
Paul MatthewsPaul is ostracized by students and finds his car vandalized.
Paul MatthewsPaul and his family discuss the fallout of his public perception.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Hannah MatthewsJanet is told she is being removed from a project due to the scandal surrounding Paul.
Janet MatthewsTrent and Mary try to convince Paul to leverage his fame for media appearances, but Paul resists.
Paul Matthews, Trent, Mary WigginsPaul is confronted by a waitress and a patron at a diner, leading to a physical altercation.
Paul MatthewsPaul tries to explain the nature of dreams to Sophie.
Paul Matthews, Sophie MatthewsJanet and Paul argue about his public image and the impact on their family.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsJanet confronts Paul about texts from Molly.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul prepares to sleep on the couch while Janet goes upstairs.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsMontage of Paul's isolated daily routine.
Paul MatthewsPaul experiences a nightmare where he is hunted by a version of himself.
Paul MatthewsPaul and Janet meet with Sophie's teacher, who asks Paul not to attend the school play.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul discusses his career options with his agents.
Paul Matthews, Trent, Molly, Mary WigginsPaul records an insincere apology video.
Paul MatthewsHannah and Sophie watch Paul's apology video.
Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsJanet confronts Paul about his apology video.
Paul Matthews, Janet MatthewsPaul arrives at Brett's house to stay.
Paul Matthews, BrettPaul struggles to sleep in the basement.
Paul MatthewsPaul tries to sneak into the school play and causes an injury.
Paul Matthews, Janet Matthews, Sophie Matthews, Hannah MatthewsWhere do I begin? Let's start with this: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't address this earlier, I'm sorry to anyone who's had one of those terrible, terrible nightmares. The reason I'm so emotionally distressed right now is because I've just had one myself. I've experienced what so many of you must have experienced: being violently attacked and abused by a man that looks like me. I have to stress: that man is not me. And I speak now from actual lived experience. I'm one of you.
Ok. Ok. This is gonna go right against what you're saying right now, but... There's like maybe a chance to go on Tucker Carlson this week though...that's a big audience. Just think about that, don't answer now, just think about it.
Sophie is getting picked on at school, Hannah is depressed, we get weird phone calls in the middle of the night, people are breaking in to our house!
Yeah... Just a little heads up, my wife wasn't too hot on the idea, so I think it'll be downstairs, if that's OK?
Yeah, and then there's France. For some reason they love you over there, even with the nightmares! They love it!
Yeah, and then there's France. For some reason they love you over there, even with the nightmares! They love it!
Jesus, they had some bad dreams and now they're not gonna show up for class? I mean, we can't just accept that?
I don't know! I'm not good under pressure! Just show up naked? On a horse? With a huge penis? Is that better?
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