Save the Cat rankings

Mulholland Drive script analysis

Mulholland Drive script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Mulholland Drive interweaves two parallel stories: Rita’s mysterious amnesia after a car crash and Betty’s Hollywood ambitions. As they investigate the crash and Rita’s identity, we also follow director Adam Kesher’s struggle with studio pressure. The film builds tension through surreal turns until identities and realities collide. The finale resolves into a darker, tragic revelation.

35 Save the Cat fit score 42% analysis confidence / 52 parsed scenes

Save the Cat is referenced as a story-analysis framework. SlugDB is not affiliated with Save the Cat or its rights holders.

1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

50%

A lone Cadillac winding Mulholland Drive at night sets the film’s eerie tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 7 / 5% target

40%

Dan mentions a terrifying dream at Denny’s, hinting at Hollywood illusions and reality fractures.

I had a dream about this place.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-6 / 10% target

45%

We meet Rita after her crash and Betty’s arrival in LA, establishing their goals and worlds.

4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / 12% target

40%

Betty arrives at LAX, triggering her Hollywood dream and discovery of Rita.

5

Debate

Scenes 16-17 / 20% target

38%

Betty and Rita hesitate over Rita’s amnesia and whether to pursue answers.

6

Break into Two

Scene 24 / 25% target

42%

They decide to investigate the Mulholland Drive crash, moving into the film’s central mystery.

That's where I was going... Mulholland Drive.
7

B Story

Scenes 13-15 / 30% target

40%

Adam Kesher’s conflict with studio executives sets up the parallel B storyline.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 27-29 / 40% target

43%

Betty and Rita interview Diane’s waitress and tour LA, while Adam’s world unravels.

9

Midpoint

Scene 46 / 50% target

45%

They break into bungalow #17 and find a corpse — a shocking midpoint reversal.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 30-31 / 65% target

38%

Louise Bonner’s erratic arrival and Coco’s intervention heighten external pressure.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 47 / 75% target

42%

Rita cuts her hair in despair, symbolizing their nadir of lost identity.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 50 / 80% target

40%

Rita offers Betty money; Betty feels betrayed and questions their relationship.

13

Break into Three

Scene 51 / 85% target

37%

On the rooftop, Betty and Rita resolve to face Hollywood together, reinvigorating hope.

14

Finale

Scenes 49-52 / 95% target

35%

Film loops back through Adam’s final call and the bum’s appearance, linking mysteries and concluding arcs.

15

Final Image

Scene 52 / 99% target

45%

The bum in the Denny’s alley mirrors the opening’s eeriness and fractured reality.