Save the Cat rankings

THE CHANGE-UP script analysis

THE CHANGE-UP script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Two mismatched friends, family man Dave and bachelor Mitch, drunkenly wish for each other’s lives and wake up swapped. They must navigate each other’s roles—Dave in a porn shoot and Mitch as a corporate lawyer and dad—learning empathy and priorities. After personal crises and reconciliation, they restore their lives and appreciate their own.

80 Save the Cat fit score 72% analysis confidence / 94 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

81%

Dave wakes at 3:45 AM to tend crying twins, establishing his exhausted dad life.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 13 / 5% target

78%

They admit envy of each other’s lives, voicing the theme of appreciating your own.

I'm just saying...I envy your life.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-7 / 10% target

75%

We meet Dave’s domestic struggle and Mitch’s carefree bachelor life at work and home.

4

Catalyst

Scene 15 / 12% target

85%

Mitch wakes in Dave’s body, realizing the life-swap has occurred.

Whose fucking baby is that...?
5

Debate

Scenes 16-17 / 20% target

80%

They confirm the fountain wish caused the swap and debate how to revert it.

6

Break into Two

Scene 17 / 25% target

77%

They decide to explore each other’s lives until they can swap back.

Remember last night when we peed into that fountain?! As we peed, we wished we had each other's...
7

B Story

Scene 25 / 30% target

68%

Mitch engages with Cara’s ballet, developing his relationship with Dave’s daughter.

Whatever, you're fine -- hey, what's up with that little blonde bitch who knocked you over?
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 22-24 / 40% target

83%

Dave experiences Mitch’s porn career, highlighting the comedic premise of swapped lives.

Wait! W-what kind of movie is this?!
9

Midpoint

Scene 31 / 50% target

79%

Dave learns finding the missing fountain location will take weeks, raising stakes.

WHAT? How long can it possibly take you to find your own fountain?!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 52 / 65% target

65%

Cara’s ballet recital turns violent, showing Mitch’s parenting stress worsening.

FUCK YEAH! NICE ONE, CARA!
11

All Is Lost

Scene 81 / 75% target

70%

Mitch, as Dave, runs into Gladys and realizes he’s out of his depth.

What am I doing...? This isn't my life...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 83 / 80% target

76%

Jamie confronts Dave about cheating, and Mitch’s life seems to crumble.

Dave is cheating on me!
13

Break into Three

Scene 86 / 85% target

74%

Dave chases Jamie in the rain, deciding to fight for his marriage and swap back.

I don't think you're a fuck up.
14

Finale

Scene 91 / 95% target

84%

They reunite at the warehouse fountain and pee to swap back, resolving their arcs.

We...We need that fountain.
15

Final Image

Scene 94 / 99% target

69%

Family and friends celebrate in Dave’s backyard, showing restored lives and growth.