Save the Cat rankings

GHOST IN THE SHELL script analysis

GHOST IN THE SHELL script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

The script opens with the Major’s creation and quickly thrusts her into a high-stakes rescue mission. After defying orders to save hostages, she joins Section 9’s broader fight against the Laughing Man. Personal revelations and flashbacks drive her identity crisis toward a final reckoning at her own gravesite.

58 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 71 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

15%

Introduces the Major’s artificial birth and sets visual tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 38 / 5% target

10%

Philosophical line raises questions of identity: “who am I?”

Our body is merely the envelope. There is no ‘I’. Tell me, when we ask, ‘who am I?’...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-7 / 10% target

12%

Establishes Major’s routine, skills, and Section 9 mission parameters.

4

Catalyst

Scene 4 / 12% target

10%

Hostages are taken, forcing immediate action.

Thank you, Dr. Osmond.
5

Debate

Scene 9 / 20% target

10%

Major chooses to infiltrate against orders, debating chain of command.

Ouelet is compromised.
6

Break into Two

Scene 10 / 25% target

10%

She crosses into the hotel, committing to the mission.

7

B Story

Scene 24 / 30% target

10%

Aramaki rebukes her, highlighting her personal stakes and relationships.

You defied a direct order.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 11-20 / 40% target

10%

Action set pieces showing hotel assault and Major’s combat prowess.

9

Midpoint

Scene 55 / 50% target

10%

Major directly confronts the Laughing Man, raising tension.

Are you looking for me?
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 50-53 / 65% target

10%

Hallucinations and data loss impede her, enemy forces disrupt.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 60 / 75% target

10%

Major discovers medication’s deception and must flee.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 62 / 80% target

10%

Confronting her mother’s android nature shatters her self-image.

They tried to kill me.
13

Break into Three

Scenes 66-67 / 85% target

10%

Her dream-like journey to the beach and cottage point to final resolution.

14

Finale

Scenes 68-71 / 95% target

10%

Investigating Hairi to crypt leads to ultimate truth about her identity.

15

Final Image

Scene 71 / 99% target

15%

Reveals Major’s remains, bookending identity theme.