Save the Cat rankings

Monster House script analysis

Monster House script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Monster House follows young DJ and his friends as they discover their neighbor’s house is a living, malevolent entity. After witnessing bizarre disappearances, they debate what to do before committing to confronting the haunted house. Along the way they recruit allies, experience highs and lows, and uncover the house’s dark origin. They ultimately devise a daring plan to destroy its heart and free the trapped spirit within.

85 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 46 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

40%

Introduces a child chased by Mr. Nebbercracker, establishing the film’s eerie tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

35%

DJ warns his parents, hinting that adult skepticism versus child belief is central.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-2 / 10% target

40%

We meet DJ, his neighbors, the menacing house, and find the brass key.

4

Catalyst

Scene 8 / Page 3 / 12% target

45%

Bones is lured into the house and disappears, making the threat real.

5

Debate

Scene 9 / Page 3 / 20% target

40%

DJ and Chowder discuss whether the house is truly haunted and what to do.

6

Break into Two

Scene 10 / Page 4 / 25% target

45%

They decide to investigate the house directly and are attacked, committing to Act Two.

7

B Story

Scene 11 / Page 4 / 30% target

35%

Jenny Bennett arrives, introducing a new ally and emotional subplot.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 12-17 / Pages 4-6 / 40% target

40%

The kids spy on neighbors, witness the house eating a dog, and involve the police.

9

Midpoint

Scene 21 / Page 8 / 50% target

45%

They discover the furnace is the house’s heart, raising the stakes.

So, we strike at the source of life. The heart.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 26-28 / Pages 10-11 / 65% target

45%

Police intervene, the house attacks the squad car, trapping the kids.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 30 / Page 12 / 75% target

45%

In the basement they see Constance’s tomb and realize the house is her spirit.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 32 / Page 13 / 80% target

40%

Expelled from the house, they confront a seemingly unstoppable Nebbercracker.

13

Break into Three

Scene 37 / Page 15 / 85% target

40%

DJ helps Nebbercracker, and the team regroups to face the house one last time.

14

Finale

Scenes 39-43 / Pages 16-18 / 95% target

45%

They use a backhoe and crane, drop dynamite into the chimney, and destroy the house.

15

Final Image

Scene 46 / Page 19 / 99% target

40%

Parents return, the spirit freed, and the kids resume trick-or-treating, closing the loop.