Screenplay data
After 25 years in a mental hospital for murder, Karl Childers returns to his hometown and befriends young Frank Wheatley, whose mother, Linda, provides Karl a home. Linda's abusive boyfriend, Doyle Hargraves, resents Karl and mistreats Linda and Frank, causing Karl growing concern for their safety. Witnessing Doyle's escalating violence, Karl intervenes, killing Doyle with a sling blade to protect his new friends, which sends him back to the mental hospital. Back in the hospital, Karl finds peace, having fulfilled his purpose, and confronts a disturbing fellow patient named Charles.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Karl Childers is released from a mental hospital and attempts to reintegrate into society.
Open full beat sheetKarl Childers is listed as Protagonist. A man released from a mental hospital after 25 years for killing his mother and her lover. In the parsed data, Karl Childers is connected to 47 scenes, 70 dialogue lines, 71 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
47 scenes / 70 dialogue linesFrank Wheatley is listed as Friend. A young boy who befriends Karl. In the parsed data, Frank Wheatley is connected to 21 scenes, 48 dialogue lines, 48 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
21 scenes / 48 dialogue linesJerry Woolridge is listed as Hospital Administrator. A man in his fifties who manages the mental hospital and helps Karl transition. In the parsed data, Jerry Woolridge is connected to 12 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
12 scenes / 8 dialogue linesDoyle Hargraves is listed as Antagonist. Linda's abusive boyfriend who works in construction. In the parsed data, Doyle Hargraves is connected to 9 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
9 scenes / 32 dialogue linesLinda Wheatley is listed as Frank's Mother. Frank's mother who works at Ben's Dollar Store. In the parsed data, Linda Wheatley is connected to 9 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
9 scenes / 23 dialogue linesMarsha Dwiggins is listed as Journalist. A college journalism student interviewing Karl. In the parsed data, Marsha Dwiggins is connected to 9 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
9 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMelvin is listed as Guard. A guard at the mental hospital. In the parsed data, Melvin is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTheresa Evans is listed as Journalist. A college student assisting Marsha with photography. In the parsed data, Theresa Evans is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBill Cox is listed as Employer. Owner of the fix-it shop where Karl works. In the parsed data, Bill Cox is connected to 7 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
7 scenes / 22 dialogue linesVaughan Cunningham is listed as Manager. Manager of Ben's Dollar Store and friend to Linda and Frank. In the parsed data, Vaughan Cunningham is connected to 6 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
6 scenes / 31 dialogue linesCharles is listed as Patient. A fellow patient at the mental hospital who speaks in disturbing monologues. In the parsed data, Charles is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesScooter Hodges is listed as Employee. An employee at the fix-it shop. In the parsed data, Scooter Hodges is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesKarl and Charles are in a mental hospital; Charles tells a disturbing story about a past encounter.
Karl Childers, Charles, MelvinMarsha and Theresa are led by a guard to meet the hospital administrator.
Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa Evans, MelvinWoolridge meets with the journalists and expresses concern about the interview.
Jerry Woolridge, Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa Evans, MelvinCharles continues his monologue while Karl sits nearby.
Karl Childers, CharlesWoolridge discusses the interview logistics with the journalists.
Jerry Woolridge, Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa EvansCharles makes a comment to Karl.
Karl Childers, CharlesWoolridge arranges for the interview.
Jerry Woolridge, Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa Evans, MelvinWoolridge provides background on Karl to the journalists.
Jerry Woolridge, Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa EvansMelvin retrieves Karl for the interview.
Karl Childers, Charles, MelvinWoolridge prepares Karl for the interview.
Karl Childers, Jerry Woolridge, MelvinWoolridge sets up the interview conditions.
Karl Childers, Jerry Woolridge, Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa Evans, MelvinTheresa is barred from the interview.
Theresa Evans, MelvinKarl tells his life story to Marsha.
Karl Childers, Marsha DwigginsKarl is released and leaves the hospital.
Karl Childers, Jerry Woolridge, Marsha Dwiggins, Theresa Evans, MelvinKarl arrives in Millsburg.
Karl ChildersKarl orders food.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl meets Frank.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl and Frank walk to Frank's house.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl attempts to return to the hospital.
Karl ChildersKarl asks to stay at the hospital.
Karl Childers, Jerry WoolridgeKarl stays at Woolridge's house.
Karl Childers, Jerry WoolridgeKarl spends the night.
Karl Childers, Jerry WoolridgeWoolridge introduces Karl to his new employer.
Karl Childers, Jerry Woolridge, Bill Cox, Scooter HodgesWoolridge introduces Karl to his new boss, Bill Cox, at the fix-it shop.
Jerry Woolridge, Karl Childers, Bill Cox, Scooter HodgesBill leaves for the night and gives Karl instructions about the shop's security.
Karl Childers, Bill Cox, Scooter HodgesBill gives Karl a key to the shop during lunch.
Karl Childers, Bill Cox, Scooter HodgesKarl visits Frank at his house.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl meets Linda and Vaughan at the store.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Vaughan CunninghamKarl and Frank talk about their lives and families.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl prepares to move out of the shop.
Karl Childers, Bill CoxDoyle questions the idea of Karl living in the garage.
Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle HargravesVaughan meets Karl at the house.
Karl Childers, Vaughan CunninghamKarl is introduced to Doyle.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle Hargraves, Vaughan CunninghamKarl and Frank bond in the garage.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyVaughan talks to Karl about his life and concerns.
Karl Childers, Vaughan CunninghamThe family eats dinner while discussing Karl.
Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle HargravesLinda and Frank warn Karl about Doyle's upcoming party, then Doyle enters to invite Karl to help with beer.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle HargravesDoyle hosts a party with his band, mocking Karl and Vaughan.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle Hargraves, Vaughan CunninghamMelinda visits Karl at the shop to give him flowers, and Bill Cox takes Scooter away to leave them alone.
Karl Childers, Bill Cox, Scooter Hodges, Marsha DwigginsKarl meets Frank on his way home and agrees to go to the secret place.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl and Frank discuss life, the Bible, and Karl's traumatic childhood memory of his brother.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyFrank and Karl attempt to give flowers to Karen, but she rejects Frank.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, char_13Doyle apologizes to Linda and the boys, claiming he wants to be a family.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle HargravesBill Cox has Karl unload a generator while talking to a customer.
Karl Childers, Bill CoxFrank and Karl talk about Doyle and agree to play football.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl and Frank play football together.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl visits his father to confront him about his past.
Karl Childers, char_15Karl wakes up Doyle and Linda with a hammer, asking to be baptized.
Karl Childers, Linda Wheatley, Doyle HargravesKarl is baptized.
Karl ChildersDoyle demands Karl leave and hits Frank.
Karl Childers, Frank Wheatley, Linda Wheatley, Doyle HargravesKarl and Frank share a final conversation in the woods before Karl leaves.
Karl Childers, Frank WheatleyKarl asks Vaughan to protect Frank and his mother from Doyle.
Karl Childers, Vaughan CunninghamKarl wanders through town before returning to the Wheatley house.
Karl ChildersKarl confronts and kills Doyle with a lawnmower blade.
Karl Childers, Doyle HargravesKarl is back in the hospital and confronts Charles.
Karl Childers, CharlesAnyway, it's hard to live gay, that's the right way to say it, in a small town like this. I've wanted to leave many times, but my love for Linda and Frank and another certain person that we won't go into have kept me from it. Anyway, I'm rambling. If you're going to live in the Wheatly garage you need to know that it won't be easy. Doyle is a monster. Not just a closed minded redneck, but a monster. A dangerous person. I've told Linda that one day that man is going to really hurt her or that boy. Maybe even kill one of them. I see it in his eyes. I'm very in tune, maybe even psychic. Doyle will make your life hell. You're a perfect target. When I first saw you I was afraid of you. Not really afraid, I guess, just taken aback. But also, I felt a real sensitive feeling from you. And for some reason, Frank has adopted you. Much like a stray animal. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. In a good way. Anyway, I just want you to know what you're in for. I have a good feeling about you. You're good for Frank. Maybe it's that he can have an adult friend on a child's level. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it in a bad way. There's one more thing. It's none of my business why you were in the state hospital. Everyone has something in their past, maybe you tried suicide, maybe you did something -- terrible. But what I see before me is a gentle, simple man. All I want you to promise me is that you're capable of being around Linda and Frank. You know. You would never hurt them under any circumstances, would you?
I've had a lot of bad thoughts since my daddy died. Sometimes I wish I was still real little and he was still here. My mama's real good, but I wish I had both of 'em. When we went to Memphis one time in the car, it was rainin' so hard we couldn't see the road. But I wadn't scared because I thought as long as daddy was drivin' nothin' could happen to us. I feel that way about mama now. Mama has a boyfriend now. His name is Doyle Hargraves. He works construction so he makes a pretty good livin'. He still don't help mama out with any money though. He ain't no good. He's mean to her. He don't like me at all. Mama says it's because he's jealous I belong to my daddy instead of him. He stays with us all night sometimes, but he's got his own house. Somebody told me it's so he can still have other girlfriends. I like it on the nights when he ain't at our house. I'm not so nervous then.
No sir's right. I'm talkin' to your mama. This is your mama's decision, not yours. I'm lettin' it go on because she asked me, not you. Now is this the kind of retard that drools and rubs shit in his hair and all that, 'cause I have trouble eatin' around that kind of thing. Just like I am about antique furniture and midgets. I can't so much as drink a glass of water around a midget or a piece of antique furniture. Same thing with a droolin' retard.
Well, yeah it's a classic. You know, Karl, I got to thinkin' about it last night and it's just not Christian of me to not let you have a key. I mean you been in lockup so long, you don't need me keepin' you locked up. You need to come and go as you please. Here, take this key, it'll get you in and out that back door. Them french fries good?
Hi, Karl, I'm on lunch break. These was on sale 'cause they're not fresh. Two ninety-nine a bunch plus my ten percent employee discount. Since I didn't bring you anything to our date last night, I thought you'd like to have 'em.
Karl, they's a blanket up in under that cot and soap in the bathroom to clean up with. Now there's one more thing. The way we lock these doors at night, you can't get out. You didn't want to go anywhere, did you?
You done fixed it? I'll be damned. Scooter told me it couldn't be fixed. 'Course Scooter's about as shitless as one poor son-of-a-bitch can be. You done fixed it. I'll just be damned. See you tomorrow.
I heard you was more than friends. I heard Dick Rivers caught y'all all bowed up and goin' at it in the same room with poor, little, old Mizz Ogletree and her dead as a doornail layed out on a gurney.
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