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STILL ALICE script analysis

STILL ALICE script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Still Alice follows Alice, a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, as she grapples with memory loss, family tensions, and self-preservation. The story charts her decline, her family’s responses, and her ultimate determination to live purposefully.

65 Save the Cat fit score 13% analysis confidence / 112 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

12%

Introduces domestic normal: John hunting for keys while Alice works on her computer.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 6 / Page 6 / 5% target

15%

Alice voices fear of losing everything she’s worked for, stating the theme of identity and memory.

I’m losing it, John. I’m losing everything I’ve worked for my whole life. It’s all going.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-5 / 10% target

11%

We see Alice’s family life, her rapport with John, and early hints of memory slips around the missing keys.

4

Catalyst

Scene 7 / Page 7 / 12% target

14%

Dr. Benjamin confirms Alice’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, upending her normal world.

You can clearly see in here. The red areas are high in beta amyloid. The build up has...
5

Debate

Scene 10 / Page 10 / 20% target

13%

Alice struggles to remember her lecture topic, questioning her ability to continue her work.

Can anyone tell me what it says on the syllabus for today?
6

Break into Two

Scene 13 / Page 13 / 25% target

13%

Alice tells her children about her diagnosis, committing to face life with Alzheimer’s rather than hide it.

I have Alzheimer’s disease. Early onset. Now I know what you’re going to say. You’re going to say...
7

B Story

Scene 22 / Page 22 / 30% target

12%

The family argument (“I wish I had cancer”) underscores relational fallout and supports the B story of family dynamics.

I wish I had cancer.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 17-20 / Pages 17-20 / 40% target

10%

Alice attempts normal activities—jogging, ice cream—showing her pockets of joy and confusion.

9

Midpoint

Scene 49 / Page 49 / 50% target

14%

Alice answers memory questions on her iPhone, highlighting her deteriorating control—stakes are raised.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 61 / Page 61 / 65% target

11%

Alice becomes distraught after getting lost and having an accident in her own home.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 65 / Page 65 / 75% target

14%

Alice realizes her sister is dead, experiencing a complete breakdown of her memory and identity.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 67 / Page 67 / 80% target

12%

John’s attempts to comfort Alice fail; she remains unresponsive, at her lowest point.

Ali? What’s the matter.
13

Break into Three

Scene 84 / Page 84 / 85% target

13%

After cognitive testing, Alice employs clever finger technique to cope, finding a new strategy and resolve.

Well, let me try it forwards first. W...A...T...E...R. So backwards... R...E...T... A...W!
14

Finale

Scene 97 / Page 97 / 95% target

15%

Alice delivers her speech publicly, embracing her diagnosis and inspiring others—her triumph.

Good morning. I’m honored to be here. I have been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and today I...
15

Final Image

Scene 99 / Page 99 / 99% target

12%

Alice fails to recognize herself in the mirror—mirroring the opening image with changed stakes: she’s lost but persevering.