Scripts
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE poster

2011

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE script

Martha, a young woman, escapes a manipulative cult led by Patrick and seeks refuge with her estranged sister, Lucy, and brother-in-law, Ted, at their lake house. Haunted by flashbacks of her time in the cult, where she was known as Marcy May and Marlene, Martha struggles to adjust to normal life, exhibiting erratic behavior and paranoia. Her memories reveal the cult's coercive practices, including forced sexual acts, communal living, and criminal activities like home invasions, which blur the lines between her past and present reality. As Martha's mental state deteriorates, she alienates Lucy and Ted with her increasingly bizarre actions, such as swimming naked, interrupting their intimacy, and kicking Ted down the stairs during a panic attack.

Writer
Sean Durkin
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt1441326
Script date
2011
89Scenes
9Characters
53Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE Save the Cat analysis

Martha escapes a controlling farm cult and seeks refuge with her sister Lucy at a lakeside home.

Open full beat sheet
75

Key characters

Martha

Martha is listed as Protagonist. 24 years old, beautiful but weathered and run down. In the parsed data, Martha is connected to 80 scenes, 68 dialogue lines, 77 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.

80 scenes / 68 dialogue lines

Lucy

Lucy is listed as Martha's Sister. Well-dressed woman in her early 30s. In the parsed data, Lucy is connected to 32 scenes, 46 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.

32 scenes / 46 dialogue lines

Ted

Ted is listed as Lucy's Husband. Speaks with a British accent, architect. In the parsed data, Ted is connected to 20 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.

20 scenes / 33 dialogue lines

Watts

Watts is listed as Cult Member. Man in his early twenties with a greasy patchy beard. In the parsed data, Watts is connected to 19 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.

19 scenes / 3 dialogue lines

Patrick

Patrick is listed as Cult Leader. Older man in his forties, charismatic and controlling. In the parsed data, Patrick is connected to 17 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.

17 scenes / 10 dialogue lines

Zoe

Zoe is listed as Cult Member. Girl in her early twenties. In the parsed data, Zoe is connected to 13 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.

13 scenes / 3 dialogue lines

Katie

Katie is listed as Cult Member. Woman who helps manage the farm and new members. In the parsed data, Katie is connected to 11 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.

11 scenes / 4 dialogue lines

Max

Max is listed as Cult Member. Young man in his early twenties, warm and care-free. In the parsed data, Max is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.

9 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Sarah

Sarah is listed as New Cult Member. Teenage girl, approximately fifteen years old. In the parsed data, Sarah is connected to 9 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.

9 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. EXT. FARM - DAY

    Overview of the farm life and various activities of the cult members.

    Patrick, Watts, Zoe, Max, Katie

  2. 2. INT. FARM HOUSE - DAY

    Martha prepares the dining table for dinner.

    Martha

  3. 3. INT. FARM HOUSE DINING ROOM - EVENING

    The men eat dinner while Patrick sits at the head of the table.

    Patrick, Watts

  4. 4. INT. FARM HOUSE KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

    The women wait for the men to finish dinner so they can eat.

  5. 5. INT. FARM HOUSE DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

    The women eat small portions of food.

    Katie

  6. 6. INT. FARM HOUSE - EARLY MORNING

    The house is quiet with people sleeping.

    Sarah

  7. 7. EXT. FARM HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

    Martha attempts to escape the farm.

    Martha, Sarah

  8. 8. EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS

    Martha is chased through the woods.

    Martha

  9. 9. EXT. DINER PARKING LOT - DAY

    Martha calls her sister Lucy from a payphone.

    Martha, Lucy

  10. 10. INT. DINER - DAY

    Watts confronts Martha at the diner.

    Martha, Watts

  11. 11. EXT. BUS STOP - LATER

    Martha is picked up by Lucy.

    Martha, Lucy

  12. 12. INT. LUCY'S CAR - DAY

    Lucy questions Martha about her recent life.

    Martha, Lucy

  13. 13. INT. LAKE HOUSE/MARTHA'S BEDROOM - EVENING

    Martha settles into the lake house.

    Martha, Lucy

  14. 14. INT. LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Lucy and Ted discuss Martha's arrival.

    Lucy, Ted

  15. 15. INT. LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Martha gets water in the middle of the night.

    Martha

  16. 16. INT. LAKE HOUSE/MARTHA'S BEDROOM - MORNING

    Lucy finds Martha sleeping on the floor.

    Martha, Lucy

  17. 17. INT. LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN - DAY

    Martha has breakfast with Lucy and Ted.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  18. 18. EXT. LAKE HOUSE DOCK - DAY

    Martha and Lucy talk at the dock.

    Martha, Lucy

  19. 19. EXT. FARM FIELD - DAY

    Flashback to Martha at the farm.

    Martha, Patrick, Zoe

  20. 20. EXT. LAKE HOUSE DOCK - CONTINUOUS

    Martha swims naked in the lake.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  21. 21. INT. LAKE HOUSE/MARTHA'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON

    Lucy checks on Martha.

    Martha, Lucy

  22. 22. INT. LAKE HOUSE DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    Lucy and Ted discuss Martha.

    Lucy, Ted

  23. 23. INT. MARTHA'S BEDROOM / LAKE HOUSE - NIGHT

    Martha is unable to sleep.

    Martha

  24. 24. EXT. FARM HOUSE FRONT PORCH - NIGHT

    Martha talks with Max.

    Martha, Max

  25. 25. INT. FARM HOUSE BEDROOM - MORNING

    Watts wakes everyone up.

    Watts

  26. 26. INT. FARM HOUSE/DRESSING ROOM - MORNING

    Martha gets dressed.

    Martha

  27. 27. INT. FARM HOUSE DINING AREA - MORNING

    Katie talks to Martha about her role.

    Martha, Katie

  28. 28. EXT. FARM - DAY

    Patrick interrupts the group.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts, Zoe, Max

  29. 29. EXT. FARM - DAY

    Patrick performs a song called 'Marcy's song' for the group, leaving Martha mesmerized.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts, Zoe, Max

  30. 30. INT. LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN - DAY

    Ted finds Martha cleaning the floor and invites her to go out on the boat.

    Martha, Ted

  31. 31. EXT. BOAT - DAY

    Ted teaches Martha to drive the boat and they share beers while discussing Lucy.

    Martha, Ted

  32. 32. EXT. BOAT - DAY

    Martha goes swimming off the boat.

    Martha, Ted

  33. 33. EXT. FARM SWIMMING HOLE - DAY

    Martha joins the cult members at a swimming hole and is encouraged to jump from a cliff.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts

  34. 34. INT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

    Martha goes to Patrick's room and sleeps in his arms.

    Martha, Patrick

  35. 35. INT. LAKE HOUSE/MARTHA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Martha is woken by noises on the roof.

    Martha

  36. 36. INT. LAKE HOUSE/TED AND LUCY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Martha interrupts Ted and Lucy having sex, causing an argument.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  37. 37. INT. FARM HOUSE/PATRICK'S ROOM - EARLY MORNING

    Martha wakes up in Patrick's room while he is having sex with her.

    Martha, Patrick

  38. 38. INT. LAKE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - MORNING

    Ted and Lucy argue about Martha's behavior while she listens from the bedroom.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  39. 39. EXT. LAKE HOUSE GARDEN - DAY

    Lucy questions Martha about her past and whether her boyfriend was abusive.

    Martha, Lucy

  40. 40. EXT. FARM GARDEN - DAY

    A new girl, Sarah, arrives at the farm.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts, Zoe, Katie, Sarah

  41. 41. INT. LUCY'S CAR - DAY

    Martha notices a car parked near the farm and feels troubled.

    Martha, Lucy

  42. 42. INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY

    Martha rides a shopping cart and has a tense encounter with a young man.

    Martha, Lucy

  43. 43. INT. LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN - DAY

    Lucy and Ted argue about hosting a Labor Day party while Martha is present.

    Lucy, Ted, Martha

  44. 44. INT. FARM HOUSE/WARDROBE - DAY

    Martha shows Sarah around the farm house and explains the communal living arrangements.

    Martha, Sarah, Katie

  45. 45. EXT. FARM HOUSE - DAY

    Martha, Sarah, and Zoe walk to the woods and discuss their past lives before meeting Patrick.

    Martha, Sarah, Zoe, Patrick, Watts

  46. 46. INT. FARM KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Katie helps Martha prepare a drugged drink.

    Martha, Katie

  47. 47. INT. LAKE HOUSE KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Martha returns to the lake house and experiences a surreal transition.

    Martha, Lucy

  48. 48. INT. FARM/SMALL DARK ROOM - CONTINUOUS

    Martha forces Sarah to drink the drugged mixture as part of her initiation.

    Martha, Sarah

  49. 49. INT. MARTHA'S BEDROOM - MORNING

    Martha wakes up at the lake house having wet herself.

    Martha

  50. 50. EXT. LAKE - SUNSET

    Lucy and Martha have a tense conversation about their past and Martha's mental state.

    Martha, Lucy

  51. 51. INT. LAKE HOUSE DINING ROOM - NIGHT

    Ted and Lucy confront Martha about her future and her behavior.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  52. 52. INT. LAKE HOUSE HALLWAY - NIGHT

    Martha attempts to call the farm but is interrupted.

    Martha

  53. 53. EXT. FARM - DAY

    Martha watches Patrick interact with Sarah.

    Martha, Patrick, Sarah

  54. 54. EXT. FARM FIELD - DAY

    Patrick teaches the group how to shoot and forces Martha to confront her emotions.

    Martha, Patrick, Zoe, Sarah, Max

  55. 55. INT. FARM HAY LOFT - NIGHT

    Martha confronts Max about his desire to leave the farm.

    Martha, Max

  56. 56. EXT. LARGE EXPENSIVE COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT

    Martha, Watts, and Zoe break into a house.

    Martha, Watts, Zoe

  57. 57. INT. EXPENSIVE COUNTRY HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

    Martha and Watts steal items from the house.

    Martha, Watts

  58. 58. INT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

    Group sexual activity at the farm while Patrick watches.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts, Zoe, Max

  59. 59. INT. LAKE HOUSE / MARTHA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Martha is paranoid about a car outside.

    Martha

  60. 60. INT. LAKE HOUSE - CONTINUOUS

    Martha encounters Ted in the hallway.

    Martha, Ted

  61. 61. INT. LAKE HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Ted and Martha watch a movie together.

    Martha, Ted

  62. 62. EXT. LAKE HOUSE ROAD - DAY

    Ted goes for a run while Lucy smokes on the porch and Martha discovers a car parked on the road.

    Ted, Lucy, Martha

  63. 63. EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY

    Martha vandalizes the brown car.

    Martha

  64. 64. INT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY

    Martha observes the damaged car while it rains.

    Martha

  65. 65. INT. LAKE HOUSE - NIGHT

    Martha is disturbed by thumping sounds on the roof.

    Martha

  66. 66. INT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY

    Martha and Lucy clean the house; Martha confronts Lucy about smoking.

    Martha, Lucy

  67. 67. INT. LAKE HOUSE/TED AND LUCY'S BEDROOM - DAY

    Lucy prepares Martha for a party.

    Martha, Lucy

  68. 68. EXT. LAKE HOUSE - DAY

    Martha attends a party at the lake house.

    Martha, Lucy

  69. 69. EXT. LAKE HOUSE BACK PORCH - DAY

    Martha confronts the bartender, Mike, causing a scene.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  70. 70. INT. TED AND LUCY'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

    Ted and Lucy try to calm a frantic Martha.

    Martha, Lucy, Ted

  71. 71. INT. LARGE EXPENSIVE COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT

    Flashback: Patrick and his cult invade a house.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts, Zoe, Katie

  72. 72. INT. FARM BEDROOM/HALLWAY - NIGHT

    Patrick explains his philosophy on death to Martha.

    Martha, Patrick, Watts, Katie

  73. 73. INT. LAKE HOUSE/LUCY'S BEDROOM - MORNING

    Martha wakes up and apologizes to Lucy for the party.

    Martha, Lucy

  74. 74. EXT. FARM - DAY

    Max falls from the hayloft and is injured.

    Martha, Watts, Max

  75. 75. EXT. FARM BASEMENT DOORWAY - DAY

    The cult members retreat to the basement.

    Patrick, Watts, Katie

  76. 76. INT. FARM HOUSE BASEMENT - CONTINUOUS

    Martha and Zoe discuss the duration of their stay.

    Martha, Zoe

  77. 77. INT. FARM HOUSE BASEMENT - NIGHT

    Martha checks on Max in the basement.

    Martha, Max

  78. 78. EXT. FARM - EVENING

    The cult gathers for dinner.

    Martha, Katie

  79. 79. INT. FARM HOUSE - DAY

    Martha answers a phone call for Watts.

    Martha, Watts, Sarah

  80. 80. INT. FARM HOUSE KITCHEN - EVENING

    Katie punishes Martha for eating bread.

    Martha, Katie

Dialogue examples

Well she, she's just a picture. Who lives on my wall Well she, she's just a picture And the reason, reason, reason it is so small. With a smile so inviting and a body so tall, She, she's just a picture Just a picture THAT'S ALL Well you stand there, stand there with the nightshade, Her dripping ripping down your hands And you ask me, ask me about the LIGHTNING And the lady, lady, lady she understands It's a dream for the future and the water for the sands And the strangeness is wandering Through many callin' lands

Patrick / Scene 29

There's nothing to talk about. I had a boyfriend, he lied to me, I left. That's it, everything doesn't have to be a big DEAL

Martha / Scene 39

As complicated as it might be, we can't just keep ignoring the fact that her behavior is fucking insane.

Ted / Scene 38

I'm her only family. She needs to be able to depend on me right now. It's complicated Ted.

Lucy / Scene 38

Yeah. He's right. I don't know why I'm so weak.

Zoe / Scene 40

You're ready. Zoe can help but you'll be great.

Katie / Scene 40

It's Marlene Lewis. What's your last name Jane.

Martha / Scene 79

I thought you weren't supposed to drink Mike.

Martha / Scene 69

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