2001
FBI Agent Thomas Mackelway investigates a bizarre murder case in Wichita Falls, receiving mysterious faxes and experiencing visions that link the killings to a serial killer. He discovers former FBI Agent Benjamin O'Ryan, a psychic, is eliminating lesser serial killers to draw out 'Suspect Zero,' an elusive child abductor O'Ryan tracks using his abilities. Mackelway, developing his own psychic powers, confronts O'Ryan, who reveals Zero's identity and tortures Mackelway to awaken his full potential, branding him with a zero symbol. Mackelway and O'Ryan track Zero to a ranch house where, in a final confrontation, O'Ryan is killed by Agent Kulok, and Zero is killed by O'Ryan, leaving Mackelway with his new abilities and the truth about Zero's horrific crimes.
Save the Cat beat sheet
FBI agent Thomas Mackelway arrives in Wichita Falls to investigate a cryptic serial killer who targets other killers.
Open full beat sheetThomas Mackelway is listed as FBI Agent. A meticulous, ambitious, and migraine-prone FBI agent transferred to Wichita Falls. In the parsed data, Thomas Mackelway is connected to 76 scenes, 60 dialogue lines, 60 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
76 scenes / 60 dialogue linesBenjamin O'Ryan is listed as Former FBI Agent / Vigilante. A former FBI agent who uses remote viewing to track serial killers; he is mentally unstable and obsessed with 'Suspect Zero'. In the parsed data, Benjamin O'Ryan is connected to 25 scenes, 59 dialogue lines, 59 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
25 scenes / 59 dialogue linesFran Kulok is listed as FBI Agent. A sharp, guarded FBI agent sent to assist Mackelway. In the parsed data, Fran Kulok is connected to 15 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
15 scenes / 18 dialogue linesRick Charlton is listed as FBI Supervisor. Mackelway's superior, focused on procedure and hierarchy. In the parsed data, Rick Charlton is connected to 14 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
14 scenes / 21 dialogue linesKatie Potter is listed as FBI Receptionist. A friendly receptionist at the Wichita Falls office who becomes romantically involved with Mackelway. In the parsed data, Katie Potter is connected to 7 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
7 scenes / 6 dialogue linesHarold Speck is listed as Traveling Salesman. A family man and traveling salesman who becomes O'Ryan's first victim in the script. In the parsed data, Harold Speck is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesZero is listed as Serial Killer. An elusive serial killer who abducts children annually on October 26th. In the parsed data, Zero is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 96.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesVirgil Ray Starkey is listed as Serial Killer. A notorious criminal on the FBI's Most-Wanted list. In the parsed data, Virgil Ray Starkey is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesA discarded milk carton with a child's face is revealed in a ditch as a truck passes by, followed by a storm.
Harold Speck is confronted by a mysterious man named O'Ryan who shows him disturbing drawings.
Harold Speck, Benjamin O'RyanSpeck rushes to his car, visibly shaken.
Harold SpeckO'Ryan is hiding in the backseat of Speck's car and forces him to drive to a rest stop.
Harold Speck, Benjamin O'RyanThomas Mackelway arrives at his new office and meets his supervisor, Rick Charlton.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonMackelway performs mundane office tasks.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway meets Katie Potter.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterMackelway receives mysterious faxes of missing persons.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonMackelway and Charlton investigate the scene where Speck's car was found.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonMackelway stops the tow truck driver from moving the car.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonThe agents examine Speck's body and car.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonMackelway experiences a vision.
Thomas MackelwayO'Ryan draws a picture of his vision.
Benjamin O'RyanA gathering at Speck's home.
O'Ryan attends the gathering at Speck's home.
Benjamin O'RyanMackelway has another vision.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway is in his car after his vision.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway meets Fran Kulok.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick Charlton, Fran KulokThe agents discuss the case.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick Charlton, Fran KulokThe agents interview the diner staff.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran KulokThe agents find a body in the Bonneville.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran KulokThe agents observe the autopsy of the victims.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran KulokA memorial assembly for Barney Fulcher where students and townspeople mourn; O'Ryan watches from the back.
Benjamin O'RyanMackelway arrives at the Hope House halfway-house in the rain.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway enters the open Hope House.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway meets David Dyson inside the Hope House.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway and Dyson inspect the basement covered in symbols.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway finds a box containing evidence and a photo of himself.
Thomas MackelwayO'Ryan escapes Mackelway through the building corridors.
Thomas Mackelway, Benjamin O'RyanMackelway searches for O'Ryan in the corridor.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway descends into the sub-basement.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway searches the sub-basement for O'Ryan.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway investigates a sound in the corridor.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway searches the lab for O'Ryan.
Thomas Mackelway, Benjamin O'RyanMackelway exits the lab and heads toward the furnace room.
Thomas MackelwayO'Ryan ambushes Mackelway.
Thomas Mackelway, Benjamin O'RyanMackelway recovers in the hospital while Charlton and Fran discuss the case.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran Kulok, Rick CharltonO'Ryan sits in a church and weeps.
Benjamin O'RyanStorm clouds gather.
Faxes arrive at the FBI office.
A band practice is interrupted by the storm.
A mother calls her children inside.
A soccer game is cancelled due to rain.
The truck drives past the park.
O'Ryan leaves the church.
Benjamin O'RyanO'Ryan walks into the rain.
Benjamin O'RyanFax tray overflows.
Mackelway reviews the case map.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway arrives at the diner.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway meets Katie.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterMackelway and Katie are together.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterMackelway tends to his wound.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterMackelway has a realization.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterMackelway visits Fran.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran KulokMackelway watches the house.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway visits Jan Speck.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway searches for clues.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway watches Jan leave.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway enters the property.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway enters the storm cellar.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway searches the cellar.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway exits the cellar.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway enters the house.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway climbs the stairs.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway accesses the attic.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway finds the evidence.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway investigates Fulcher's home.
Thomas MackelwayForensics team finds evidence.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonCharlton confronts Mackelway.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonAgents gather to discuss the serial killer case while Charlton briefs them on O'Ryan and Suspect Zero.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran Kulok, Rick CharltonKatie approaches Mackelway to ask for help finding a missing friend.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterMackelway and Katie are intimate, triggering psychic visions for Mackelway.
Thomas Mackelway, Katie PotterO'Ryan experiences a remote viewing vision and decides to flee.
Benjamin O'RyanO'Ryan is pulled over by a State Trooper and threatens him with a gun.
Benjamin O'RyanMackelway finds a file left by O'Ryan and they speak on the phone.
Thomas Mackelway, Benjamin O'Ryan, Fran KulokMackelway investigates O'Ryan's former room and uncovers a hidden painting.
Thomas MackelwayMackelway updates the map with black pins and confronts Charlton.
Thomas Mackelway, Rick CharltonMackelway replaces a blue pin with a black one on the map, completing the wave of pins.
Thomas MackelwayA truck driver plays Barney the Dinosaur music while a young boy sleeps in the passenger seat.
Charlton confronts Fran about her watching Mackelway sleep and discusses the chain of command.
Thomas Mackelway, Fran Kulok, Rick CharltonYou don't understand. Those fucking faces on that map. They call to me. I see their eyes in the dark - they're staring at me: "How did you let this happen to me?" But that's the thing about them - they're like pictures. They never blink. They just...stare, and always at me. That's my destiny, do you see? I didn't help them when they needed me and this is my penance. Fine. I ACCEPT IT. But I'm opting out now, ya get it? I can't stand this anymore! I wanna close my eyes for once and see something other than torture. It's not a bad start, Mack. We've made the world a little safer now. Speck, Fulcher, Starkey, now Zero. We've made justice. But I get some too. You have to end all this for me. That's why you're here. It's your destiny.
Open your eyes, O'Ryan! Here I am, standing here. I'm not shooting you. Doesn't that fucking tell you something? You're a guy with a skill. Period. They taught you more than they should've. I'm sorry about that... But you're not God. You can't see everything.
He's a transient with a history of mental illness. He also happens to think he's a former agent of this Bureau. And he is pursuing something that he calls "Suspect Zero." Anybody got anything intelligent to say?
Sir, I'm the one who took the call. Agent Mackelway was acting under the assumption that I'd already checked the guy out. We're both to blame.
Her name's Karen Sumpter. We were friends. She disappeared last year. Nobody knows where. She was a little wild, but not like that.
These things are bigger than you - haven't you seen that yet? Destiny. Justice. Mercy. They're vast. We're just puppets!
But you figured you'd get a bigger pat on the head if you wrapped this whole thing up without any help - is that it?
Listen to me Cowboy. You have any idea the kind of favors I had to pull with the Abilene cops to cover your ass?!
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