Save the Cat rankings

Misery script analysis

Misery script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Paul Sheldon, a bestselling author, crashes his car in a blizzard and is rescued by his obsessive fan Annie Wilkes. Held captive in her farmhouse, he is forced to burn his latest manuscript and write a new novel to her liking. As Annie’s violence escalates and his health declines, Paul must find the strength to defy her and await rescue by Sheriff Buster. In a final confrontation, he kills Annie and is freed, but he emerges forever changed.

85 Save the Cat fit score 80% analysis confidence / 55 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / 1% target

75%

Introduces Paul Sheldon celebrating his latest manuscript in a hotel suite, establishing his success and carefree life.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 8 / 5% target

80%

Annie reveals she was following Paul, hinting at her dangerous obsession and the story’s theme of fan worship gone wrong.

No, it wasn't a miracle at all... in a way, I was following you.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-3 / 10% target

85%

Shows Paul at work and play, then his decision to drive into a blizzard leading to the crash, establishing his world and the inciting situation.

4

Catalyst

Scene 5 / 12% target

90%

Annie rescues Paul from the wreckage, thrusting him out of his comfort zone and into her isolated world.

5

Debate

Scenes 6-7 / 20% target

80%

Paul awakens in Annie’s care and questions where he is while Marcia calls the sheriff, weighing whether he can trust his rescuer.

6

Break into Two

Scene 8 / 25% target

85%

Annie asks to read his new book, crossing the threshold into her obsessive domain.

7

B Story

Scene 7 / 30% target

75%

Parallel thread of Buster’s search for Paul begins, providing hope and contrast to Paul’s captivity.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 9-14 / 40% target

85%

Annie’s tender caregiver facade gives way to controlling behavior as Paul settles into forced convalescence and domestic routine.

9

Midpoint

Scene 15 / 50% target

90%

Annie violently reacts to the death of her fictional heroine, revealing her true nature – the stakes shift from care to survival.

I DON'T WANT HER SPIRIT! I want HER! And you MURDERED her!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 16-20 / 65% target

85%

Paul’s escape attempts fail and Annie forces him to burn his manuscript, escalating her control and his desperation.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 23 / 75% target

85%

Annie presents a wheelchair and demands a new novel ‘Misery’s Return,’ crushing Paul’s hope of rescue or escape.

See, isn't this nice?
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 31-32 / 80% target

80%

Paul secretly prepares drugs and begins writing under duress, reflecting his lowest point and internal struggle.

13

Break into Three

Scene 43 / 85% target

85%

Paul defies Annie openly, showing newfound courage and willingness to fight back.

I don't know, it's weird, but a couple of broken bones hasn't done a lot for my creative...
14

Finale

Scenes 46-50 / 95% target

90%

Buster arrives, Annie shoots him, Paul finishes the novel, burns the manuscript at her face and kills Annie, resolving the conflict.

15

Final Image

Scene 55 / 99% target

80%

A year later, Paul enjoys success but hallucinates Annie with a knife, showing the lasting trauma.

I am. Well, maybe not completely--