Save the Cat rankings

DUE DATE script analysis

DUE DATE script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Peter Jensen, an expectant father under pressure at work, unwittingly teams up with the eccentric Ethan for a cross-country trip. Their mismatched partnership leads to chaos on the road, self-discovery, and reconciliation with Peter’s past. In the end, they race back in time for the birth, underscoring themes of responsibility, friendship, and family.

85 Save the Cat fit score 52% analysis confidence / 60 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

67%

Introduces Peter’s domestic life as he and Christine interview nannies for their baby.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 4 / 5% target

60%

Peter admits the timing is bad—foreshadowing that personal priorities matter over career.

Look, I'm not thrilled about the timing either, but this is huge.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-3 / Page 1 / 10% target

65%

Establishes Peter’s life: home, prospective house, and career‐altering trip to Boston.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / 12% target

70%

Ethan rips off Peter’s car door, forcing the two together.

5

Debate

Scenes 7-8 / 20% target

58%

Peter and Ethan argue over their situation and whether to cooperate.

You look familiar. Do I know you?
6

Break into Two

Scene 9 / 25% target

72%

They officially embark on the road trip in the Chevy Malibu to L.A.

7

B Story

Scene 11 / 30% target

55%

Peter bonds with Ethan at Janine’s house, hinting at a deeper friendship arc.

You should sell your shit on QVC. You'd be a multi-millionaire.
8

Fun and Games

Scene 15 / 40% target

68%

Comic mishaps ensue: Ethan farts during Peter’s call, they crash the car.

I went to sleep, and I had righted the ship with my wife's cousins. And because you can't...
9

Midpoint

Scene 27 / 50% target

60%

Peter learns his Boston deal is off, a false victory turns to crisis.

I could have closed this. But because of you, now this whole trip was for nothing.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 39-40 / 65% target

63%

Their scheme to sell weed at a high school backfires and Peter is arrested.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 43 / 75% target

57%

Stranded in the desert, Peter and Ethan argue over Peter’s absentee father.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 44 / 80% target

62%

Peter walks alone toward ‘Garden City,’ at his lowest, reflecting on failures.

13

Break into Three

Scene 48 / 85% target

66%

Peter returns with his father Burt—new resolve to finish the journey.

14

Finale

Scenes 51-59 / 95% target

70%

A frantic race to L.A. via plane and car culminates in Peter making it to the birth.

Christine, sweetheart, I am so sorry. I should have never left. But I'm here. I made it, I'm...
15

Final Image

Scene 60 / 99% target

65%

The baby is born and the mismatched group celebrates as a family.