Save the Cat rankings

EL LABERINTO DEL FAUNO script analysis

EL LABERINTO DEL FAUNO script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Young Ofelia arrives at a grim military outpost with her pregnant mother and encounters a mysterious labyrinth and magical tasks. As Captain Vidal’s brutal campaign against guerrillas intensifies, Ofelia’s quests in the underworld mirror the real-world dangers and choices she must face.

80 Save the Cat fit score 15% analysis confidence / 28 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

20%

Introduces Ofelia in the bloodied labyrinth and the fairy‐tale narration, setting the visual and tonal contrast.

Cuentan que hace mucho, mucho tiempo, en el mundo subterráneo, donde no existe la mentira ni el dolor...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 7 / 5% target

20%

Vidal’s line about a child being born where his father is states the film’s tensions around parenthood and duty.

Un hijo debe nacer dondequiera que esté su padre. Eso es todo-
3

Set-Up

Scene 4 / 10% target

25%

Arriving at the mill establishes the harsh military environment and Ofelia’s displacement with her mother.

Es la otra mano- Ofelia...
4

Catalyst

Scene 8 / 12% target

25%

Vidal’s execution of the suspected father‐son guerrillas shatters any illusion of safety and raises the stakes.

5

Debate

Scene 10 / 20% target

25%

Ofelia meets the Faun and hesitates to believe her royal destiny, questioning her trust in him.

Vos sois la princesa Moanna, hija del rey de Bethmoora, el reino subterráneo- No sois hija de hombre....
6

Break into Two

Scene 11 / 25% target

25%

She enters the first magical trial in the underworld, marking her commitment to the fantasy journey.

7

B Story

Scene 18 / 30% target

20%

Mercedes allies with guerrillas, deepening the subplot of resistance and loyalty against Vidal’s regime.

8

Fun and Games

Scene 13 / 40% target

25%

Ofelia retrieves the golden key, showcasing the adventurous and fantastical aspects of her quest.

9

Midpoint

Scene 16 / 50% target

20%

Vidal’s proud declaration about Spain and his unborn son raises the emotional and ideological stakes for both worlds.

Yo estoy aquí porque quiero que mi hijo nazca en una España limpia y nueva.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 12 / 65% target

20%

Vidal’s troops discover guerrilla trails and mock their efforts, tightening the military threat.

Hará menos de media hora- Han salido escopeteados.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 21 / 75% target

25%

The Faun warns Ofelia that only two trials remain and time is short, creating a sense of looming failure.

Faltan sólo dos pruebas más... Y la luna ya pronto estará llena...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 20 / 80% target

20%

Carmen’s reproach over Ofelia’s ruined dress highlights her despair and Ofelia’s guilt.

Lo que has hecho- Me duele. Me duele más de lo que te puedes llegar a imaginar. Cuando...
13

Break into Three

Scene 26 / 85% target

20%

Ofelia returns to the Faun for her final trial, resolved to finish what she started.

14

Finale

Scene 27 / 95% target

20%

The doctor’s mercy killing of El Tarta culminates the emotional arc of compassion over brutality.

Máteme. Ahora- P-p-por favor.
15

Final Image

Scene 28 / 99% target

20%

Vidal discovering the mandrake root underscores the cyclical tension between the real and magical worlds.