Save the Cat rankings

EYES WIDE SHUT script analysis

EYES WIDE SHUT script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Dr. Bill Harford’s routine existence is disrupted by his wife Alice’s erotic dream and his subsequent descent into a secretive sexual underworld. As he pursues the mystery of the masked ritual, he confronts temptation, danger, and his own insecurities. Ultimately, Bill returns home, humbled and grateful for his family’s love.

70 Save the Cat fit score 42% analysis confidence / 51 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

65%

Introduces Bill and Alice in domestic comfort, setting the normal world.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 7 / 5% target

60%

Alice’s erotic dream raises questions about desire and fidelity.

We . . . we were . . . we were in a deserted city and . ....
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-4 / Page 1 / 10% target

70%

We see the Harfords’ life, Bill at work and the couple at Ziegler’s party, establishing relationships and stakes.

4

Catalyst

Scene 4 / 12% target

68%

Bill rescues Mandy from an overdose, exposing him to the party’s darker side.

Can you hear me, Mandy? Can you hear me?
5

Debate

Scenes 5-10 / 20% target

55%

Bill hesitates to pursue Nick Nightingale’s disappearance, weighing his curiosity against prudence.

6

Break into Two

Scene 6 / 25% target

72%

Bill enters the masked ritual, crossing into a dangerous new world.

May I have the password, please?
7

B Story

Scenes 7-8 / 30% target

57%

The subplot of Alice’s dream and Bill’s guilt deepens their marital conflict.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 9-20 / 40% target

66%

Bill’s investigations—closed café, missing musician, costume shop—play out the promise of the premise.

9

Midpoint

Scene 22 / 50% target

60%

A warning at Somerton signals real stakes and the point of no return.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 31-38 / 65% target

63%

Bill is stalked, learns of Mandy’s death, and feels mounting dread.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 42 / 75% target

70%

Identifying Mandy’s body delivers the story’s darkest moment.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 43-44 / 80% target

58%

Bill contemplates giving up before agreeing to meet Ziegler again.

13

Break into Three

Scene 46 / 85% target

65%

Ziegler’s explanation offers Bill a way to reconcile illusion and reality.

Bill, I appreciate you coming.
14

Finale

Scene 49 / 95% target

68%

Bill confesses everything to Alice, confronting his failures and seeking redemption.

I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you everything.
15

Final Image

Scene 51 / 99% target

62%

The family shopping scene reflects restored harmony and Bill’s renewed appreciation.

I could put Sabrina in here.