Save the Cat rankings

OLDBOY script analysis

OLDBOY script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Veteran ad man Joe Doucett is mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years, forced to confront his past sins. Upon escape, he embarks on a methodical quest for vengeance, uncovering a devastating truth about his daughter. In the aftermath, he must choose between retribution and acceptance.

80 Save the Cat fit score 48% analysis confidence / 80 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

50%

Introduces the bustle of Joe’s urban life in 1993, establishing his everyday world before disruption.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 9 / 5% target

40%

Joe’s heated phone argument with Donna hints at themes of responsibility, anger, and the consequences of one’s actions.

3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-8 / 10% target

50%

We see Joe’s professional success, personal relationships, and fast‐paced routine, setting up his world and flaws.

4

Catalyst

Scene 12 / 12% target

45%

Joe’s pitch at The Pinnacle leads to public humiliation (slap), escalating his personal downward spiral.

5

Debate

Scenes 13-18 / 20% target

50%

Joe wanders drunk through the city, then awakens imprisoned and grapples with shock and denial.

6

Break into Two

Scene 20 / 25% target

55%

Realizing he is trapped in a sealed room marks Joe’s commitment to the new ‘upside-down’ world of captivity.

7

B Story

Scene 41 / 30% target

50%

The Crimes Unsolved segment introduces the secondary storyline of Joe’s public image and his daughter’s fate.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 22-37 / 40% target

55%

Captivity montage where Joe receives meals, suffers experiments, hallucinates and adapts, showing the core ‘promise of the premise.’

9

Midpoint

Scene 40 / 50% target

50%

Time jump to 2000: Joe watches TV and begins self-improvement, signaling a false victory and shift in stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 46-54 / 65% target

50%

Joe’s rigorous training under surveillance builds tension as his captors maintain control, closing in psychologically.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 55 / 75% target

45%

Joe’s escape through the bathroom crack seems triumphant but plunges him into an unknown world with new dangers.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 62-64 / 80% target

45%

Free in a park, Joe’s disorientation and emotional weight of vengeance create self‐doubt before he pursues his captor.

13

Break into Three

Scene 78 / 85% target

60%

Confrontation with Adrian and the revelation about Mia propels Joe into the final act with new resolve.

That is not your Daughter, Joe. Ashley is a Musician and very well paid Actress I have had...
14

Finale

Scenes 78-80 / 95% target

50%

Joe’s devastating choice to accept his fate and protect Marie culminates his moral journey and vengeance plot.

15

Final Image

Scene 80 / 99% target

50%

Joe’s quiet acceptance in the motel room contrasts sharply with the opening image’s frenetic life, showing inner peace.