2020
A CIA operative, known as the Protagonist, is recruited into Tenet to investigate Andrei Sator, a Russian oligarch who can communicate with the future and plans to invert the entire world. The Protagonist infiltrates Sator's inner circle through his estranged wife, Kat, and discovers Sator's plan to detonate an algorithm that will trigger a temporal apocalypse. A complex bi-temporal pincer movement is executed at Stalsk-12 to retrieve the algorithm pieces, during which Kat kills Sator and Neil sacrifices himself to save the Protagonist. The Protagonist later realizes he founded Tenet and recruited Neil in the future, subsequently eliminating a hidden threat to Kat.
Save the Cat beat sheet
TENET follows the Protagonist’s journey from a black-ops extraction through disorienting time inversion to a bi-temporal finale that saves the world.
Open full beat sheetThe Protagonist is listed as CIA Operative. A highly skilled, resourceful operative tasked with preventing a global catastrophe. In the parsed data, The Protagonist is connected to 71 scenes, 91 dialogue lines, 93 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
71 scenes / 91 dialogue linesKat Barton is listed as Art Appraiser. Sator's estranged wife, desperate to protect her son. In the parsed data, Kat Barton is connected to 34 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
34 scenes / 10 dialogue linesNeil is listed as Protagonist's Handler/Ally. A mysterious and capable operative who assists the Protagonist. In the parsed data, Neil is connected to 29 scenes, 59 dialogue lines, 64 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
29 scenes / 59 dialogue linesAndrei Sator is listed as Russian Oligarch. A ruthless arms dealer with connections to the future. In the parsed data, Andrei Sator is connected to 22 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
22 scenes / 7 dialogue linesVolkov is listed as Sator's Enforcer. Sator's loyal and dangerous right-hand man. In the parsed data, Volkov is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 46.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesIves is listed as Tenet Commander. A military leader within the Tenet organization. In the parsed data, Ives is connected to 8 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 79.
8 scenes / 3 dialogue linesPriya Singh is listed as Arms Dealer/Tenet Contact. A powerful figure in the arms trade who provides information to the Protagonist. In the parsed data, Priya Singh is connected to 5 scenes, 35 dialogue lines, 35 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
5 scenes / 35 dialogue linesMahir is listed as Tenet Operative. A specialist in logistics and field operations. In the parsed data, Mahir is connected to 5 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 14.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBarbara is listed as Scientist. A researcher specializing in inverted materials. In the parsed data, Barbara is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesFay is listed as CIA Handler. The Protagonist's initial contact in the intelligence community. In the parsed data, Fay is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesThe Protagonist and his team infiltrate a concert hall siege in Kiev.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist rescues a target and retrieves a package.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist coordinates the extraction of the target and the object.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist is tortured and attempts suicide.
The ProtagonistFay informs the Protagonist about his survival and the test.
The Protagonist, FayBarbara explains inverted entropy to the Protagonist.
The Protagonist, BarbaraThe Protagonist meets Neil to plan the infiltration of Sanjay Singh's house.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist and Neil infiltrate the house and confront Priya Singh.
The Protagonist, Neil, Priya SinghThe Protagonist meets Crosby to learn about Sator.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist meets Crosby to discuss Andrei Sator and his wife Kat.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist observes Kat Barton at her son's school.
The Protagonist, Kat BartonThe Protagonist meets Kat Barton at Shipley's to show her the Goya.
The Protagonist, Kat BartonThe Protagonist and Kat discuss her marriage and the Goya.
The Protagonist, Kat Barton, VolkovThe Protagonist and Neil plan a heist at the Oslo Freeport.
The Protagonist, Neil, MahirThe Protagonist and Neil execute the heist.
The Protagonist, Neil, MahirEmergency services arrive at the Freeport following the chaos caused by the Protagonist and Neil.
The Protagonist, Neil, MahirThe Protagonist and Neil stage their unconsciousness as emergency services arrive.
The Protagonist, NeilNeil and the Protagonist discuss the nature of the cold war and the concept of inversion.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist meets Priya to discuss inversion and Sator.
The Protagonist, Priya SinghPriya instructs the Protagonist to get closer to Sator and leverage the plutonium 241.
The Protagonist, Priya SinghThe Protagonist meets Kat to plan his infiltration of Sator's inner circle.
The Protagonist, Kat BartonThe Protagonist and Kat observe Sator's yacht.
The Protagonist, Kat Barton, VolkovThe Protagonist approaches the yacht by boat.
The Protagonist, Kat Barton, VolkovKat enters the yacht and confronts Sator.
Andrei Sator, Kat BartonThe Protagonist meets Sator for dinner.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, Kat Barton, VolkovSator reveals a drawing to Kat.
Andrei Sator, Kat BartonThe Protagonist arrives for the sailing trip.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, Kat BartonThe Protagonist and Sator prepare to sail.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, Kat BartonKat captains the yacht while Sator and the Protagonist prepare.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, Kat BartonThe Protagonist saves Sator after Kat releases his harness.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, Kat BartonKat confronts the Protagonist about saving Sator.
The Protagonist, Kat BartonSator tells the Protagonist about his past in Stalsk-12.
The Protagonist, Andrei SatorSator confronts Kat.
Andrei Sator, Kat BartonA helicopter arrives at the yacht.
Andrei SatorThe Protagonist investigates the arrival.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist moves through the yacht.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist watches the helicopter depart.
The Protagonist, Andrei SatorThe Protagonist observes the engine room.
The ProtagonistSator kills a crew member.
Andrei SatorThe Protagonist is caught.
The Protagonist, VolkovSator interrogates the Protagonist.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, VolkovThe Protagonist and Neil plan the heist.
The Protagonist, NeilSator and Kat arrive in Tallinn.
Andrei Sator, Kat BartonSator and Kat arrive at the Freeport.
Andrei Sator, Kat BartonSator shows Kat his weapons collection.
Andrei Sator, Kat Barton, VolkovSator confronts Kat, threatens her, and then leaves to monitor the convoy operation.
Andrei Sator, Kat Barton, VolkovThe Protagonist and Neil coordinate the heist of the nuclear convoy.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist infiltrates the truck and steals the orange case.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist and Neil realize the case is not what they expected and encounter an inverted Audi.
The Protagonist, Neil, Andrei Sator, Kat BartonThe Protagonist is interrogated by Sator through the proving window.
The Protagonist, Andrei Sator, Kat BartonThe Protagonist and Kat wake up on stretchers with Neil, discussing the reversed heat transfer and the nature of the algorithm.
The Protagonist, Neil, Kat BartonThe cargo ship moves backwards through the North Sea.
The Protagonist and Neil discuss the grandfather paradox while waiting to arrive.
The Protagonist, NeilThe container stops; the Protagonist prepares to use the breach at the wrecked plane.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist and Neil prepare to move Kat through the breach.
The Protagonist, Neil, Kat BartonThe Protagonist and Neil move Kat through the breach amidst a reverse explosion.
The Protagonist, Neil, Kat BartonThe Protagonist enters the vault to confront his earlier self.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist struggles with his earlier self and enters the turnstile.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist is pursued by Earlier Neil.
The Protagonist, NeilNeil stops the Earlier Protagonist from killing the Protagonist.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist waits for Neil and Kat to emerge.
The Protagonist, Neil, Kat BartonThe Protagonist and Neil discuss the vault incident.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist and Neil check on Kat.
The Protagonist, Neil, Kat BartonThe Protagonist confronts Priya about the algorithm.
The Protagonist, Priya SinghChinooks move through turbines.
The Protagonist exercises on the deck.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist observes soldiers training.
The Protagonist, NeilThe Protagonist and Neil discuss Sator's plan.
The Protagonist, Neil, Kat BartonIves and the Protagonist discuss the mission.
The Protagonist, IvesSoldiers prepare to invert.
The Protagonist, Kat BartonThe Protagonist says goodbye to Kat.
The Protagonist, Kat BartonThe Protagonist watches the icebreaker.
The ProtagonistChinooks fly over the landscape.
The Protagonist sits with soldiers.
The ProtagonistThe Protagonist arrives at the camp.
The ProtagonistIves briefs the soldiers on the mission.
The Protagonist, IvesKat watches Sator's yacht.
Kat Barton, MahirIves continues the briefing.
The Protagonist, IvesIves briefs the Red team on the mission to Stalsk-12, explaining the bi-temporal nature of the operation and the objective to fail to defuse the bomb.
The Protagonist, Neil, IvesMahir instructs Kat on how to use a pistol and signals her to wait for his cue before acting against Sator.
Kat Barton, MahirThere is no answer, it's a paradox. But in the future, those in power clearly believe that you can kick Grandpa down the stairs, gouge his eyes and slit his throat without consequence.
You're familiar with the Manhattan Project? As they approached the first atomic test, Oppenheimer became concerned the detonation might produce a chain reaction, engulfing the world.
You know perfectly well what it is, Kat the filthy business that put those clothes on your back and our boy in his school. That you thought you could negotiate your way around.
It's what you're going to do. In two days you're going to have me dangle plutonium 241 in front of the world's most dangerous arms dealer... I want to know why.
Landing zone, LZ, well defended, including ground-to-air ordinance. We drop in, clear the LZ for Blue team's evacuation...
Let me start with the simple stuff. Every law of physics operates the same forwards and backwards, except one. Entropy...
Our present wiped out, our past obliterated. Everyone and everything who ever lived destroyed instantly. Precise enough?
Must've got nicked in Tallinn. I've been thinking... we're their ancestors. If they destroy us, won't that destroy them?
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