Save the Cat rankings

FACE/OFF script analysis

FACE/OFF script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

FBI agent Jon Archer loses his son to terrorist Castor Troy and undergoes radical surgery to assume Troy’s identity and infiltrate his life. As Archer navigates prison and Troy embeds himself in Archer’s family, the two men’s worlds collide in a final deadly confrontation. Ultimately Archer reunites with his wife and daughter, having reclaimed his life.

70 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 73 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

25%

Jon Archer and his son enjoy a carousel ride before Castor Troy’s shot upends their lives.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

30%

Archer’s obsessive pursuit of Troy hints that vengeance may cost him everything.

Jon, these people have been working round the clock -- you gotta cut them some slack...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-7 / Pages 1-15 / 10% target

30%

We see Archer’s grief, the briefing on Troy, and the climactic shootout that apparently kills Troy.

4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / Page 16 / 12% target

30%

Archer is offered a radical face-swap operation to impersonate Troy and infiltrate his network.

Why are you keeping him alive?
5

Debate

Scene 11 / Page 16 / 20% target

25%

Archer hesitates about the off-the-books operation despite personal risks.

6

Break into Two

Scene 16 / Page 17 / 25% target

30%

The face-swap surgery completes and Archer becomes Troy, entering the villain’s world.

7

B Story

Scene 8 / Page 14 / 30% target

30%

Archer’s tense home life with wife Eve and daughter Jamie establishes the emotional stakes of his mission.

Nice stunt, Jamie. You break the law and I'm expected to ignore it?
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 19-25 / Pages 18-30 / 40% target

30%

Archer fights through prison, meets Troy’s allies, while Troy enjoys domestic life under Archer’s identity.

9

Midpoint

Scene 21 / Page 20 / 50% target

30%

The unexpected turn: Castor Troy awakens after surgery and kills the medical team, raising the stakes dramatically.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 24-27 / Pages 25-28 / 65% target

30%

Troy, impersonating Archer, infiltrates Archer’s home, spies on Eve and Jamie, tightening his grip.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before you forgot where we lived.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 43 / Page 34 / 75% target

25%

Archer’s escape from prison by sea seems futile, suggesting he may never save his family.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 51 / Page 36 / 80% target

30%

Eve receives a cryptic call from Archer warning her, underscoring her isolation and doubt.

Hello, Eve -- I know this sounds crazy, but -- Dammit.
13

Break into Three

Scene 56 / Page 38 / 85% target

30%

Archer rallies Troy’s former associates by revealing the true enemy, launching his final push.

You're all forgetting who the real enemy is.
14

Finale

Scenes 67-68 / Pages 42-43 / 95% target

30%

Archer and Troy clash in violent confrontations at the boathouse and beach, resolving their conflict.

It'll never be over, Jon... every time you look in the mirror... you'll see my face...
15

Final Image

Scene 73 / Page 44 / 99% target

25%

Archer and Eve share a reconciliatory moment, and Archer watches over Jamie, restoring family peace.

How was your first day back?