2010
In 1979, Joe Lamb, a recently orphaned teenager, helps his friends film a Super 8 zombie movie when they witness a catastrophic train derailment caused by a creature escaping a military transport. The creature, an alien being held captive by the United States Air Force, begins to abduct townspeople and steal electrical components and metal objects to repair its spaceship. Joe and his friends, along with Joe's father, Deputy Sheriff Jackson Lamb, and Alice's father, Louis Dainard, uncover the military's cover-up and the alien's true intentions. Joe and Cary venture into the alien's underground lair, where they find Alice and other captives, and Joe uses his mother's locket to communicate with the alien, convincing it to release its prisoners. As the military attacks, the alien completes its ship, and Joe places his mother's locket on the ship, allowing the alien to depart Earth peacefully, leaving the town to rebuild and the friends to process their extraordinary experience.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Super 8 introduces grief-stricken Joe and his friends bonded by a backyard movie project that takes a disastrous turn when a military train crash unleashes a secretive creature.
Open full beat sheetJoe Lamb is listed as Protagonist. 14-year-old boy, recently lost his mother, interested in model making. In the parsed data, Joe Lamb is connected to 53 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
53 scenes / 51 dialogue linesCharles Kaznyk is listed as Filmmaker. Ambitious 14-year-old filmmaker, Joe's best friend. In the parsed data, Charles Kaznyk is connected to 36 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
36 scenes / 41 dialogue linesCary is listed as Friend. Friend of Joe and Charles, obsessed with fireworks. In the parsed data, Cary is connected to 28 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
28 scenes / 29 dialogue linesMartin is listed as Friend. Friend of Joe and Charles, actor in the movie. In the parsed data, Martin is connected to 23 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 62.
23 scenes / 16 dialogue linesJackson Lamb is listed as Joe's Father. 42-year-old Deputy Sheriff, struggling to connect with his son. In the parsed data, Jackson Lamb is connected to 22 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
22 scenes / 12 dialogue linesAlice Dainard is listed as Actress. 14-year-old girl, daughter of Louis Dainard, cast in Charles' movie. In the parsed data, Alice Dainard is connected to 19 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
19 scenes / 6 dialogue linesPreston is listed as Friend. Friend of Joe and Charles, intelligent and cautious. In the parsed data, Preston is connected to 11 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
11 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLouis Dainard is listed as Alice's Father. Troubled man, works at the mill, has a strained relationship with Jack. In the parsed data, Louis Dainard is connected to 9 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
9 scenes / 4 dialogue linesColonel Nelec is listed as Antagonist. Air Force officer leading the operation. In the parsed data, Colonel Nelec is connected to 7 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 66.
7 scenes / 8 dialogue linesDr. Woodward is listed as Science Teacher. Former Air Force officer who knows the truth about the creature. In the parsed data, Dr. Woodward is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJoe Lamb stands on his porch, holding his late mother's locket, looking out toward the steel mill.
Joe LambCharles' parents discuss Joe's well-being following his mother's death.
Charles Kaznyk, Jackson LambThe boys discuss the funeral and the movie at the wake.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Cary, Martin, PrestonJoe watches as his father arrests Louis Dainard.
Joe Lamb, Jackson Lamb, Louis DainardCharles gives Joe new script pages and discusses the movie.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Cary, MartinThe boys discuss Alice Dainard's involvement in the film.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, CaryCharles and Joe review the movie footage and plan the midnight shoot.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe has dinner with Charles' family.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe finds his father crying in the bathroom.
Joe Lamb, Jackson LambJack tries to convince Joe to attend a sports camp.
Joe Lamb, Jackson LambJoe prepares for the midnight shoot.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykThe boys meet Alice at the curb.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonThe group drives to the train depot.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonThe group arrives at the train depot to film.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonPreston sets up lights while Cary shows off his homemade M-80 firecracker.
Cary, Preston, MartinJoe applies makeup to Alice while Charles directs the scene.
Charles Kaznyk, Martin, Joe Lamb, Alice Dainard, Cary, PrestonThe group films the scene as a train approaches and crashes.
Charles Kaznyk, Joe Lamb, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonThe kids survey the wreckage and find Dr. Woodward.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonThe kids escape the scene in Alice's car.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonJoe and Charles watch the news report about the train crash.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe and Charles observe the train crash and realize they can use it for their movie.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe and Charles ride bikes and discuss getting Alice back for the movie.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe and Charles ride through town past military trucks.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe calls Alice to ask her to be in the movie while Charles talks to Donny.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice DainardJoe visits Alice to convince her to act; Louis arrives and confronts Joe.
Joe Lamb, Alice Dainard, Louis DainardThe group films a scene for their movie; Joe realizes the train was Air Force.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonThe group discusses the train crash and Dr. Woodward.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, PrestonJack questions Colonel Nelec about the crash.
Jackson Lamb, Colonel NelecJack discusses his suspicions with the Sheriff.
Jackson LambBreen is working when the Sheriff arrives; something attacks the station.
Joe applies zombie makeup to Alice.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, MartinJack investigates the gas station after the attack.
Jackson LambJack investigates damaged cars at the lot.
Jackson LambJoe searches for his dog and finds many missing dog signs.
Joe LambJoe discovers the community corkboard is covered in missing dog signs.
Joe LambJoe returns home to find his father and police officers discussing the town's problems and the Air Force's suspicious activities.
Joe Lamb, Jackson LambJoe talks to Charles on the walkie-talkie about the Air Force and the movie project.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykA power company worker, Rooney, discovers missing power lines.
Rooney is attacked by an unseen creature while inspecting a transformer.
A town meeting turns chaotic as citizens express fear over missing items and the power outage.
Jackson LambJack arrives at the station and deals with reports of missing items.
Jackson LambJack investigates the Air Force's communications.
Jackson Lamb, Louis DainardJoe and Alice work on the movie project, bonding over model making.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice DainardJack discovers a pattern in the missing dogs.
Jackson LambJack listens to intercepted Air Force communications.
Jackson LambThe kids film their movie while the military clears out Woodward's house.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Alice Dainard, Cary, Martin, Jackson LambColonel Nelec and his team search Woodward's house.
Colonel NelecJack confronts Nelec.
Jackson Lamb, Colonel NelecJoe watches his father talk to Nelec.
Joe Lamb, Jackson Lamb, Colonel NelecJack and Joe have a heated argument about Alice.
Joe Lamb, Jackson LambJoe visits his mother's grave and hears strange noises.
Joe LambJack is detained by the military at the airport.
Jackson LambNelec interrogates Dr. Woodward.
Colonel Nelec, Dr. WoodwardJoe is woken up by a knock at his window.
Joe LambAlice visits Joe in his room during a power outage. They watch a home movie of Joe's mother, discuss their parents, and discover the cube from the crash site is vibrating.
Joe Lamb, Alice DainardAlice returns home to find her father, Louis, drunk and angry. They argue, and she leaves.
Alice Dainard, Louis DainardAlice rides her bike away from home. Louis follows her in his car, crashes, and witnesses the creature abducting Alice.
Alice Dainard, Louis DainardMilitary soldiers burn the field as part of an evacuation operation.
Joe and Charles discuss the cube and their friendship.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykCharles and Joe watch the film footage, realizing they captured the creature on camera.
Joe Lamb, Charles KaznykJoe finds Louis in the triage unit, who confirms the creature took Alice.
Joe Lamb, Louis DainardThe boys discuss the dungeon and music while Donny drives them toward the school.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, CaryThe boys arrive at the school and break into the dungeon.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, CaryThe boys sneak through the school hallway.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, CaryThe boys watch Dr. Woodward's films and documents, learning about the creature.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, CaryNelec interrogates the boys and takes Joe's necklace.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, Cary, Colonel NelecThe bus is attacked by the creature while transporting the boys.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, Cary, Colonel NelecJack rescues Louis to find the kids.
Jackson Lamb, Louis DainardDonny picks up the boys.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, CaryThe boys take cover in a house during the military siege.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Martin, CaryCharles and Cary tend to Martin's leg injury while Joe prepares to search for Alice.
Joe Lamb, Charles Kaznyk, Cary, MartinJoe and Cary arrive at the cemetery to find the entrance to the creature's lair.
Joe Lamb, CaryJoe and Cary break into the shed and discover a massive hole leading underground.
Joe Lamb, CaryJack and Louis drive toward the town, reconciling their past.
Jackson Lamb, Louis DainardJoe and Cary descend into the tunnels and find the creature's mechanical contraption and the captives.
Joe Lamb, Cary, Alice Dainard, char_11The creature's ship assembles using metal objects from the town, and the survivors reunite.
Joe Lamb, Alice Dainard, Jackson Lamb, Cary, Louis DainardI know. They're saying it's just clean-up at the train crash, but they're taking molds of tire tracks. Which means they're looking for someone-- now what's that about?
My dad gave it to her the day I was born. She wears it all the time. Used to. It was bad, how she-- died and stuff, but they got the necklace back. So.
I came to your house that day. To tell you that I never meant to hurt anyone. Swear to God. I'm sorry, Jack. About what happened to your wife.
He's in me, you know. As I am in him. So when you see him next, as I'm sure you will... I'll be watching you, too.
DON'T KILL US! PLEASE DON'T KILL US!!! PLEASE DON'T KILL -- we've got civilians -- minors-- four of `em.
You're not friends with Alice Dainard. When I say no, I don't mean maybe. I don't mean yes. I mean no.
I cannot believe we're breaking into school, who does that? No one does that-- idiots do that--
It's a six-week program, hands-on training with college coaches. You'll like it. I know I did.
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