1999
A woman with amnesia, later named Rita, is discovered by aspiring actress Betty Elms in her aunt's apartment, prompting them to investigate Rita's identity while director Adam Kesher faces studio pressure. Betty and Rita follow clues, including a blue key, to an apartment where they find a decomposing body, leading Rita to change her appearance. The narrative then reveals Betty as Diane Selwyn, a struggling actress consumed by jealousy over the successful Camilla Rhodes, who is Adam's lover. Diane hires a hitman to kill Camilla, symbolized by the blue key, and later commits suicide, haunted by guilt, as the enigmatic Cowboy and an elderly couple observe her demise.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Mulholland Drive interweaves two parallel stories: Rita’s mysterious amnesia after a car crash and Betty’s Hollywood ambitions.
Open full beat sheetBetty Elms is listed as Protagonist. An aspiring actress from Iowa who arrives in Los Angeles to pursue her dreams. In the parsed data, Betty Elms is connected to 27 scenes, 79 dialogue lines, 79 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
27 scenes / 79 dialogue linesRita is listed as Protagonist. A woman suffering from amnesia following a car accident on Mulholland Drive. In the parsed data, Rita is connected to 25 scenes, 40 dialogue lines, 53 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
25 scenes / 40 dialogue linesAdam Kesher is listed as Director. A film director whose life and career are systematically dismantled. In the parsed data, Adam Kesher is connected to 9 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
9 scenes / 19 dialogue linesCoco is listed as Apartment Manager. The manager of the 1612 Havenhurst apartment building. In the parsed data, Coco is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 3 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
3 scenes / 6 dialogue linesJoe is listed as Hitman. A clumsy hitman involved in a botched office murder. In the parsed data, Joe is connected to 2 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
2 scenes / 12 dialogue lineschar_19 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_19 is connected to 2 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
2 scenes / 10 dialogue lineschar_14 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_14 is connected to 2 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
2 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMr. Roque is listed as Antagonist. A mysterious, paralyzed man who exerts influence over film production. In the parsed data, Mr. Roque is connected to 2 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
2 scenes / 5 dialogue lineschar_15 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_15 is connected to 2 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
2 scenes / 4 dialogue lineschar_20 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_20 is connected to 2 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
2 scenes / 4 dialogue linesDan is listed as Supporting. A man who experiences a terrifying dream about a figure behind Denny's. In the parsed data, Dan is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDetective Harry McKnight is listed as Detective. A police detective investigating the Mulholland Drive crash. In the parsed data, Detective Harry McKnight is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDetective Neal Domgaard is listed as Detective. A police detective investigating the Mulholland Drive crash. In the parsed data, Detective Neal Domgaard is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHerb is listed as Supporting. Dan's companion at Denny's. In the parsed data, Herb is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 7.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_30 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_30 is connected to 1 scene, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
1 scenes / 7 dialogue lineschar_17 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_17 is connected to 1 scene, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
1 scenes / 6 dialogue lineschar_18 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_18 is connected to 1 scene, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
1 scenes / 5 dialogue lineschar_24 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_24 is connected to 1 scene, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
1 scenes / 4 dialogue lineschar_27 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_27 is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesThe Cowboy is listed as Enigmatic Figure. A mysterious man who delivers cryptic instructions to Adam Kesher. In the parsed data, The Cowboy is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 33.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA black Cadillac limousine drives up Mulholland Drive at night.
The driver and passenger stop the car and order the dark-haired woman out at gunpoint.
RitaA car crash occurs on Mulholland Drive, leaving the dark-haired woman as the sole survivor.
RitaThe woman wanders through the hills, encounters a coyote, and eventually reaches the city streets.
RitaDetectives McKnight and Domgaard investigate the crash site.
Detective Harry McKnight, Detective Neal DomgaardThe dark-haired woman sneaks into an apartment.
RitaDan tells Herb about a terrifying dream he had at this location.
Dan, HerbDan and Herb investigate the back of the restaurant, where Dan dies of shock.
Dan, HerbBetty Elms arrives in Los Angeles.
Betty ElmsBetty meets the apartment manager, Coco.
Betty Elms, CocoBetty discovers the dark-haired woman in her aunt's apartment.
Rita, Betty ElmsJoe commits a murder in an office.
JoeAdam Kesher is pressured by studio executives and the Castigliane brothers to cast a specific girl.
Adam KesherAdam is told his film is no longer his and he is being forced to accept a specific girl. He argues with Ray and Robert Smith before storming out.
Adam Kesher, char_12, char_13, char_14Adam confronts the limo driver and smashes the limo with his 7-iron.
Adam Kesher, char_15Betty talks to her grandfather on the phone and then checks on Rita.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty talks to Aunt Ruth on the phone and then discovers Rita crying.
Betty Elms, RitaRay meets with Mr. Roque to discuss shutting down the production.
char_14, Mr. RoqueThe Castigliane brothers leave in a new limo.
char_12, char_16, char_15Joe and Billy discuss their work and look for a brunette.
Joe, char_17, char_18Mr. Roque makes phone calls regarding the missing girl.
Mr. RoqueBetty and Rita discuss Rita's amnesia and the blue key.
Betty Elms, RitaAdam drives his Porsche while receiving bad news about his film.
Adam KesherBetty and Rita decide to investigate the accident on Mulholland Drive.
Betty Elms, RitaAdam returns home to find his wife with the poolman.
Adam Kesher, char_19, char_20, char_21Betty and Rita walk and encounter a boy with blue eyes.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty and Rita confirm the accident and meet Diane the waitress.
Betty Elms, Rita, char_22Rita calls Diane Selwyn's number.
Betty Elms, RitaKenny destroys Adam's golf clubs.
char_23, char_19, char_20Louise Bonner knocks on the door looking for Ruth.
Betty Elms, Rita, char_24, CocoBetty encounters Louise Bonner at the door, who is looking for Ruth and acting erratically. Coco arrives to take Louise away, revealing Betty is an actress.
Betty Elms, CocoAdam Kesher is informed his credit is cut off. He calls Cynthia and learns about a mysterious figure called The Cowboy.
Adam KesherAdam meets the Cowboy at a corral. The Cowboy gives him cryptic instructions about his film and his attitude.
Adam Kesher, The CowboyBetty and Rita rehearse an audition scene together.
Rita, Betty ElmsCoco speaks on the phone with Aunt Ruth about Betty.
CocoCoco visits to check on Betty and Rita.
Rita, Betty Elms, CocoDetectives McKnight and Domgaard discuss a case involving two men in a Caddy.
Detective Harry McKnight, Detective Neal DomgaardBetty auditions for Wally Brown.
Betty ElmsAdam Kesher auditions girls for his film. He sees Betty and later Camilla Rhodes.
Betty Elms, Adam KesherA cab waits outside the apartment building.
Betty and Rita encounter Cornell Dumont in the courtyard.
Betty Elms, Rita, char_12Betty and Rita discuss finding out who Rita is.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty and Rita arrive at the address, but Rita is frightened by men in a car.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty and Rita search for Diane Selwyn's apartment.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty and Rita speak to a neighbor about Diane Selwyn.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty and Rita break into the bungalow and find a corpse.
Betty Elms, RitaRita cuts her hair in distress; Betty comforts her.
Betty Elms, RitaRita reveals her new look.
Betty Elms, RitaWilkins receives a call from Adam.
Adam KesherRita offers Betty money; Betty refuses.
Betty Elms, RitaBetty and Rita look out over Hollywood.
Betty Elms, RitaThe bum appears in the alley.
Hello ... Aunt Ruth!! I can't tell you how happy I am. Your place is so fantastic! Yes ... Coco...what a character. I really like her... that's too bad...waiting in an airport must not be too fun. What's a mosquito plane? ... Oh I get it. How long does that take from Montreal? ... Well, you'll sleep good tonight ... Hudson Bay sounds beautiful ...oh well, I hope you packed your coat. (laughs). You mean the audition...Wally Brown... she didn't mention it but he'll fax the dialogue to Coco? Suddenly I'm so nervous ... okay Aunt Ruth... I'll try. I'll study those lines until I know them inside out. Yes, either right here on this fabulous leather couch or I'll take them with a coffee in the courtyard like a regular movie star. (laughs). Oh! I got a real shock to find your friend Rita here. She was in the shower and I opened the door ... Rita ... what do you mean? She was in an accident ... your friend Rita. No, Coco unlocked the door. No, she didn't see her. She's sleeping. No... she's very nice. I'm sure there's some explanation, Aunt Ruth... I don't think we have to do that. Please don't worry. I'll take care of it. No, I'll let you know. Where can I ... okay I'll get it from Coco. No, please don't worry... thank you so much for letting me stay here. You've made me so happy... thank you, thank you. Please don't worry... Aunt Ruth we don't need the police. I'll call you when you get to Hudson Bay. Please... please ... Goodbye Aunt Ruth.
Hello. Adam. How's it going? No, it's okay. Yeah, I'm working, but... they wanted this script a week ago. What? What's wrong with your house? The poolman? Sure, you can have the couch. No, it's no problem..it's just I gotta ... I gotta work. Any chance you could bring some food. No, I got plenty of money - I just haven't gone out for awhile. Groovy man! Murphy and I'll be glad to see you. No, no, no, he's got plenty of food.
You've been so good to me ... now we know why ... why I was so afraid. We know what kind of trouble I'm in. I shouldn't... ask you... I only have this to offer. I'll give you this if I can stay here for awhile. I don't know what else to do.
Where have you been Coco? God, I've been trying to find you all afternoon since 3:00 o'clock. That one is in my room and she won't leave. I want you to get her out. I want you to get her out now.
Ah, Mister ... you remember me. I am Taka. your gardener. For long time I not see you. I pleased to see you.
Hello Taka. It's 'cause I'm never home in the day time. It's good to see you again. The garden looks great.
I don't know if you want to come in here or not. There's some kind of horrible smell like... something...
I know you're afraid of something. We'll be careful. Tomorrow we'll go over there and we'll find out.
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