Screenplay data
Brian Kessler, a graduate student researching serial killers, and his photographer girlfriend, Carrie Laughlin, plan a cross-country trip to California to write a book on the subject. They post a ride-share advertisement and are joined by Early Grayce, a volatile ex-con, and his naive girlfriend, Adele Corners, unaware that Early is a dangerous sociopath who has just murdered his landlord and burned down his trailer. As they travel, Early's violent tendencies escalate, beginning with a theft at a murder site Brian is researching, followed by a brutal murder at a gas station and a bar fight, which Brian witnesses but struggles to comprehend. Carrie discovers Early is a wanted murderer on the news, and the couple becomes Early's captives, forced to witness his escalating violence, including the murder of two police officers and the elderly Musgraves, before Early kills Adele and flees with Carrie.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Brian and Carrie, two true-crime writers, pick up drifter Early Grayce and his partner Adele for a cross-country trip to California.
Open full beat sheetEarly Grayce is listed as Antagonist / Serial Killer. 25, athletic build, big watery eyes, jet black hair, sociopathic. In the parsed data, Early Grayce is connected to 45 scenes, 91 dialogue lines, 94 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
45 scenes / 91 dialogue linesBrian Kessler is listed as Protagonist / Writer. 25, short chopped hair, dressed in black, graduate student researching serial killers. In the parsed data, Brian Kessler is connected to 43 scenes, 78 dialogue lines, 79 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
43 scenes / 78 dialogue linesCarrie Laughlin is listed as Protagonist / Photographer. 25, short black hair, tight black clothes, Brian's partner. In the parsed data, Carrie Laughlin is connected to 43 scenes, 61 dialogue lines, 61 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
43 scenes / 61 dialogue linesAdele Corners is listed as Early's Girlfriend. 17, pretty, uneducated, Early's girlfriend. In the parsed data, Adele Corners is connected to 33 scenes, 45 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
33 scenes / 45 dialogue linesPretty Teenage Girl is listed as Victim. Pretty, wearing red high-heeled shoes. In the parsed data, Pretty Teenage Girl is connected to 7 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
7 scenes / 5 dialogue linesMrs. Musgrave is listed as Victim. Attractive older woman with silver hair. In the parsed data, Mrs. Musgrave is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 59.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesParole Officer is listed as Authority Figure. Has a prosthetic hand, suffers from hiccups. In the parsed data, Parole Officer is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 24.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJohn Diebold is listed as Landlord. Early's landlord, owns pitbulls. In the parsed data, John Diebold is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 25.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMr. Musgrave is listed as Victim. Elderly man, amateur astronomer. In the parsed data, Mr. Musgrave is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 59.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA mysterious rock is unearthed from mud by strong male hands.
A pretty teenage girl is picked up by a driver in a 70's Chevy.
Pretty Teenage GirlThe driver picks up the girl; she appears injured and nervous.
Pretty Teenage GirlBrian and Carrie document a crime scene.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinA faceless figure hides the rock under his jacket.
Brian continues his research on the serial killer's history.
Brian KesslerThe driver and the girl talk about her problems.
Pretty Teenage GirlBrian details the murders committed at the warehouse.
Brian KesslerThe girl asks for a lighter.
Pretty Teenage GirlBrian theorizes about the killer's motivations.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinThe girl prepares to use the lighter while the driver watches.
Pretty Teenage GirlBrian and Carrie investigate the rafters.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinThe rock crashes through the windshield.
Pretty Teenage GirlEarly Grayce watches the aftermath of the crash.
Early GrayceBrian plays a game at a party.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinBrian and his friends discuss serial killers.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinEarly arrives at the diner.
Early GrayceEarly meets Adele at the diner.
Early Grayce, Adele CornersBrian and Carrie return home from the party.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinAdele waters her cactus while Early sleeps.
Early Grayce, Adele CornersAdele warns Early about the landlord.
Early Grayce, Adele CornersCarrie expresses her desire to leave for California.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinBrian and Carrie discuss their plan to travel to California to write a book about serial killers.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinEarly returns home to find his Parole Officer searching his trailer.
Early Grayce, Parole OfficerEarly has a confrontation with his landlord, Diebold, before fleeing.
Early Grayce, Adele Corners, John DieboldBrian posts a ride-share note for his trip.
Brian KesslerEarly and Adele discuss their dreams of California while Early digs a hole.
Early Grayce, Adele CornersBrian and Carrie meet Early and Adele to begin their trip.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersPolice investigate the burning of Early's trailer and discover a body.
Parole Officer, John DieboldEarly, Adele, Brian, and Carrie drive down a country road; Early hands out drinks and hangs a St. Christopher statue.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersAdele takes photos of the scenery and asks to stop at Pigeon Forge.
Early Grayce, Adele CornersThe group visits the site of a murder; Brian records notes while Carrie takes photos; Early attempts to steal a purse.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersThe group eats dinner; Early displays poor table manners and scratches his foot.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersBrian and Carrie argue about Early; Early and Adele prepare for bed.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersEarly meets Brian and Carrie for breakfast; Adele arrives with a new haircut.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersThe Lincoln gets a flat tire; Early changes it while Carrie observes.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersThe group stops for gas; Early eyes a wealthy man's money clip.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersEarly murders a man in the bathroom while Brian and the women wait at the gas pumps.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersEarly and Brian discuss serial killers while driving.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersBrian and Early leave for the bar while Carrie and Adele stay behind.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersEarly and Brian visit a bar where Early gets into a violent fight.
Brian Kessler, Early GrayceCarrie cuts Adele's hair and they discuss Early's abusive behavior.
Carrie Laughlin, Adele CornersEarly and Brian leave the bar and discuss 'doors' to other dimensions.
Brian Kessler, Early GrayceBrian and Carrie argue about Early.
Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinCarrie encounters Early at the ice machine.
Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceThe group travels in the Lincoln; Adele shares a hangover remedy while Brian suffers.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersCarrie notices a gun in Adele's bag and stops the car.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersEarly teaches Brian how to shoot a gun.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersBrian and Carrie explore the abandoned abattoir to take photos.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersCarrie discovers Early is a wanted murderer on the news.
Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele Corners, Parole OfficerThe group eats Chinese food while Brian and Carrie are held captive.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early Grayce, Adele CornersEarly and Adele drive with Brian and Carrie bound in the back seat; Early discusses his recent murder.
Early Grayce, Adele Corners, Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinEarly takes Brian to the mine while Adele stays with Carrie; Early takes photos of the site.
Early Grayce, Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Adele CornersEarly interrogates Brian about his motives for killing.
Early Grayce, Brian KesslerCarrie tries to warn Adele about Early; police arrive.
Carrie Laughlin, Adele Corners, Parole OfficerEarly kills the police officers.
Early Grayce, Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Adele Corners, Parole OfficerEarly berates Adele for not thanking him for saving her life.
Early Grayce, Adele Corners, Brian Kessler, Carrie LaughlinEarly and Carrie enter the Musgrave house while Adele stays in the car with Brian.
Early Grayce, Carrie Laughlin, Adele Corners, Brian Kessler, Mrs. MusgraveEarly terrorizes the Musgraves; Brian and Carrie are bound.
Early Grayce, Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Mrs. Musgrave, Mr. Musgrave, Adele CornersEarly leaves with Carrie, leaving Adele's body behind.
Early Grayce, Carrie Laughlin, Adele CornersEarly and Carrie discuss finding a way out of the desert while driving.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceThe Lincoln drives away, revealing Adele's body.
Early Grayce, Adele CornersBrian regains consciousness and is helped by Mrs. Musgrave.
Brian Kessler, Mrs. MusgraveEarly intimidates and threatens Carrie while driving.
Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceBrian prepares to pursue Early.
Brian Kessler, Mrs. MusgraveBrian leaves to chase Early.
Brian Kessler, Mrs. MusgraveEarly and Carrie drive through a gate.
Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceThe Lincoln breaks down.
Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceEarly and Carrie break into a desert house.
Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceEarly and Carrie spend the night in the house.
Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceBrian crashes into the Lincoln.
Brian KesslerEarly wakes up and finds a 'door' of light.
Brian Kessler, Carrie Laughlin, Early GrayceYou know those doors I was talking about? Found two of them back in Kentucky. Shit, I wasn't even looking for one the first time. Me and the boys are just swingin' our sickles by the side of the road, and I turned around and there it was... this door with this bright blinding white light all around it... course I'm thinkin' I must be sunstroked or somethin'... so I close my eyes figurin' I'll count ten and it'll be gone right... so I'm countin'... 1-2-3-4-5... an' I'm 'bout ta piss myself right... -6-7-8-9... 10. An' I open my eyes slow, spectin' it won't be there right...
...When I was fourteen years old three boys raped me in the back of a truck, and beat me so bad I was in bed for almost four months... I feel safe with Early, most the time he treats me pretty good. And I know he wouldn't let nothin' like that ever happen to me again...
I always thought it was the work of a serial killer. Anyone who took that much time and care bisecting another human being must have been enjoying it and would have done it again. And again. Until someone stopped him.
I'm scared. A week ago you would never have even thought to pick up that gun. This afternoon you're out there wielding it around like Clyde fucking Barrow, for Christ's sake! What's with you?
He's pulled out all the lines. The nearest phone is twenty miles east of here.
Shit, it ain't hard to play pool. I can teach you everything ya need ta know.
...Well I probably drunk more than my share, anyway... you go on an' have it.
Of course! Nobody would have heard her cries over the noise of the machines.
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