Save the Cat rankings

Panic Room script analysis

Panic Room script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Real estate broker Meg Altman tours a new townhouse with her diabetic daughter Sarah, only to discover a hidden panic room when intruders break in. Trapped inside, Meg must protect Sarah, navigate the room’s features, and outwit the criminals before succumbing to despair. After close calls and a breakthrough, Meg fights back and law enforcement intervenes. Finally, mother and daughter emerge safe, planning their next steps.

80 Save the Cat fit score 62% analysis confidence / 31 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

75%

Introduces Meg touring the townhouse with Lydia, establishing their normal world.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

60%

The panic room is described as a safe inner sanctum, hinting at themes of security.

A safe room. An inner sanctum. A castle keep, in medieval times.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-3 / Page 1 / 10% target

70%

Meg and Sarah tour the house and learn about the panic room, setting characters and stakes.

4

Catalyst

Scene 5 / Page 1 / 12% target

80%

Meg sees intruders appear on the panic room monitors, shattering her sense of safety.

5

Debate

Scene 4 / Page 1 / 20% target

65%

Meg wakes and hesitates when she notices the panic room lights, debating whether to investigate.

6

Break into Two

Scene 9 / Page 1 / 25% target

75%

Meg and Sarah lock themselves inside the panic room, entering Act Two’s confined world.

7

B Story

Scene 7 / Page 1 / 30% target

70%

Meg’s devoted efforts to wake Sarah and care for her diabetic condition establish the mother–daughter subplot.

Wake up... wake up...
8

Fun and Games

Scene 11 / Page 1 / 40% target

68%

Meg and Sarah attempt to use the panic room’s phone and intercom systems, exploring their shelter’s features.

Dot dot dot, dash dash dash, dot dot dot.
9

Midpoint

Scene 12 / Page 1 / 50% target

82%

The heist turns deadly when Raoul kills Junior, raising the stakes significantly.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 13 / Page 1 / 65% target

78%

Raoul and Burnham force Harris to bait Meg, tightening the intruders’ psychological grip.

DON'T DO IT! NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, DON'T OPEN THE DOOR!
11

All Is Lost

Scene 18 / Page 1 / 75% target

80%

Sarah suffers a diabetic seizure, making the panic room suddenly helpless.

You gotta jab me, Mommy...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 19 / Page 1 / 80% target

84%

Meg realizes Sarah is dying and decides to open the panic room door against all warnings.

13

Break into Three

Scene 28 / Page 1 / 85% target

77%

Meg breaks through to the neighbor’s house to get help and bonds, marking the transition to the final push.

I GOT THE MONEY, LET'S GO!!!
14

Finale

Scene 29 / Page 1 / 95% target

85%

Climactic struggle at the panic room door leads to Raoul’s accidental death and police arrival.

15

Final Image

Scene 31 / Page 1 / 99% target

72%

Meg and Sarah relax in Central Park, showing their survival and new beginning.

I mean, uptown is close to Dad's place, but somebody at school said the Village is really cool,...