Save the Cat rankings

K-PAX script analysis

K-PAX script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A mysterious patient named Prot arrives at a psychiatric hospital claiming to be an alien from the planet K-PAX and disrupts the routines of both staff and other patients. As Dr. Powell investigates Prot’s origins and hypnotically regresses him, he uncovers a tragic past and faces his own doubts about reality and belief. The story balances Prot’s playful influence on patients with an emotional B story involving Sal’s fascination and Dr. Powell’s personal stakes. Ultimately, Prot disappears and reappears to affirm his otherworldly claims before departing.

72 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 53 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

25%

Introduces Prot at Grand Central Station as a strange, helpful figure in a bustling public space, establishing his outsider status.

Here, let me help you.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

30%

Ernie’s obsession with germs and fear of death hints at the film’s exploration of reality, belief, and mortality.

Sleep!? You - you - you know what happens when you sleep? You can swallow your tongue -...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-6 / Pages 1-10 / 10% target

35%

Dr. Powell’s world is established: his practice, hospital routines, staff, and Prot’s first intriguing interview.

4

Catalyst

Scene 7 / Page 11 / 12% target

40%

Prot declares he is from K-PAX, shifting the story into speculative territory.

K-PAX. Capital K- hyphen - capitals P-A-X. Roughly translated into your Roman alphabet. K-PAX is a planet.
5

Debate

Scenes 11-13 / Pages 12-20 / 20% target

35%

Powell and staff debate whether Prot is delusional or genuinely otherworldly as Prot influences patients like Howie.

Bluebird of happiness. Prot told me to find the bluebird of happiness.
6

Break into Two

Scene 14 / Page 21 / 25% target

40%

Prot’s demonstration at the planetarium cements the transition into Act II and the ‘promise of the premise.’

I take it my calculations help explain the perturbations you've been seeing in the rotation pattern of your...
7

B Story

Scene 16 / Page 23 / 30% target

30%

Sal’s request to travel to K-PAX introduces the emotional subplot about friendship and belief.

About that light travel thing. I was wonderin' ... if you could maybe show me how to do...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 14-17 / Pages 21-25 / 40% target

35%

Prot’s interactions – from planetarium lectures to promises of departure – showcase the ‘fun’ premise of an alien among patients.

I've heard from most of the patients on Ward Two. They all tell me they're going to K-PAX....
9

Midpoint

Scene 19 / Page 28 / 50% target

45%

Discovery of the July 27th date reveals Prot’s possible human identity, raising the stakes and shifting tone.

Four years and nine months ago! That will be five years to the date, on July 27th!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 22-23 / Pages 30-32 / 65% target

35%

Prot breaks down under sprinklers; Powell seeks Villers’ help for regression, intensifying conflict.

He's not violent. I think something violent happened to him. Prot wasn't going after Natalie to harm her....
11

All Is Lost

Scene 24 / Page 33 / 75% target

30%

Prot’s disappearance from Ward 2 leaves staff and patients despondent, marking the low point.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 28-29 / Pages 35-36 / 80% target

30%

Powell’s frantic search and emotional confrontation with Prot reflect his despair and self-doubt.

What would you say - if I were to tell you that I don't believe you took any...
13

Break into Three

Scenes 49-50 / Pages 43-44 / 85% target

40%

A clue leads Powell to New Mexico, deciding to identify Robert Porter and resolve Prot’s mystery.

New Mexico! New Mexico!
14

Finale

Scenes 51-53 / Pages 45-53 / 95% target

35%

Powell uncovers Robert Porter’s past and has a final poignant conversation with Prot before his departure.

His name is Robert Porter!
15

Final Image

Scene 53 / Page 53 / 99% target

30%

Prot’s last words about the universe mirror the opening’s cosmic mystery, closing the thematic loop.

The Universe will expand, then collapse back on itself -- then expand again. It will repeat this process...