Save the Cat rankings

PIXELS script analysis

PIXELS script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

PIXELS follows Sam Brenner, a former arcade champion, recruited by President Cooper to defend Earth when aliens recreate classic video games as attacks. Alongside his friends Ludlow and Violet, Sam trains with the military, battles pixelated threats across the globe, and confronts personal doubts before facing the alien mothership.

0 Save the Cat fit score 5% analysis confidence / 82 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Introduces young Sam Brenner’s world and arcade skill in 1982.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 4 / Page 1 / 5% target

10%

Sam defines what games mean, hinting at belief in play over war.

Neither. Those blobs are ghosts, and the cheese wedge is Pac Man. He’s a... I don’t know what...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 6-8 / Pages 1-3 / 10% target

10%

Establishes adult Sam’s life, relationship with Cooper, and mundane job.

4

Catalyst

Scene 9 / Page 3 / 12% target

10%

Alien craft attacks Guam, turning video games into real threats.

5

Debate

Scenes 10-15 / Pages 3-6 / 20% target

10%

Sam hesitates to reengage with games and doubts his role.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 19-22 / Pages 6-7 / 25% target

10%

Called to White House, Sam commits to fight the alien game invasion.

7

B Story

Scenes 11-17 / Pages 4-5 / 30% target

10%

Sam’s relationship with Violet deepens as she shares her own fears.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 38-42 / Pages 10-12 / 40% target

10%

Arcaders train SEALs and test weapons; showcases game-based combat fun.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 53-57 / Pages 15-17 / 50% target

10%

Triumph in London’s Centipede battle marks a false victory.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 65-67 / Pages 18-19 / 65% target

10%

Next VHS message and Duck Hunt teaser raise stakes further.

11

All Is Lost

Scenes 76-79 / Pages 20-22 / 75% target

10%

Pac-Man and Lady Lisa attacks reveal team vulnerabilities.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 77-79 / Pages 21-22 / 80% target

10%

Ludlow’s emotional struggle with Lady Lisa underscores despair.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 80-81 / Pages 23-24 / 85% target

10%

Team gears up to storm the alien mothership for final battle.

14

Finale

Scene 81 / Page 24 / 95% target

10%

Sam and crew confront Donkey Kong in climactic showdown.

15

Final Image

Scene 82 / Page 24 / 99% target

10%

After victory, team’s bond and arcade spirit endure in real world.