Save the Cat rankings

THE FLY script analysis

THE FLY script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A brilliant but under-appreciated scientist, Geoff Powell, struggles with his teleportation invention under the thumb of DeWitt Research. After a disastrous animal trial, he perseveres to succeed, only to experiment on himself and merge with a housefly. His wife Barb watches his horrifying transformation, leading to a final confrontation at DeWitt’s lab and a bittersweet resolution.

75 Save the Cat fit score 60% analysis confidence / 74 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

50%

A spider is eaten and crushed—an insect-involved horror motif foreshadowing the fly theme.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

40%

Barb and Geoff banter about her cover art and his nervousness, hinting at identity and transformation.

Doesn't Jezehel Dupree ever get bored seeing me on the covers of all her gooey gothics.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-7 / Pages 1-5 / 10% target

60%

Geoff’s contract woes with DeWitt, his career frustrations, and Harry’s intervention establish his world.

4

Catalyst

Scene 12 / Pages 5-6 / 12% target

65%

DeWitt threatens to cancel Geoff’s project after the ashtray fails, raising the stakes.

You think I do? This his new scientific threshold? The Albert Einstein Novelty-Souvenir Shop? What's next? A dribble...
5

Debate

Scene 15 / Page 6 / 20% target

70%

Geoff admits to Barb the horror of the monkey experiment and questions continuing.

You think it's funny? I got a bunch of monkey atoms floating around out there in space somewhere....
6

Break into Two

Scene 18 / Page 7 / 25% target

60%

Returning to the lab with renewed focus, Geoff begins a montage of tests—entering Act Two.

7

B Story

Scene 11 / Page 4 / 30% target

55%

Barb’s visit shows her emotional support and sets up their relationship arc.

So this is Nyssa, eh?
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 19-24 / Pages 7-10 / 40% target

65%

Geoff celebrates successful transmissions—from newspaper to monkey—and upgrades his machine.

9

Midpoint

Scene 25 / Page 10 / 50% target

70%

He prepares to teleport himself with no awareness of the deadly fly—stakes are irreversible.

Boy, you sure hold a grudge.
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 30-34 / Pages 11-13 / 65% target

60%

Geoff’s super strength and speed emerge, but Barb notices disturbing physical changes.

I benchpressed over a hundred extra pounds. I can feel it, Barb, this incredible power surging inside me.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 42 / Page 16 / 75% target

75%

Microscope tests confirm his DNA is mutating with fly DNA—his worst fears realized.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 46 / Page 17 / 80% target

70%

Barb finds Geoff crawling on the ceiling, fully alienated and terrified of himself.

13

Break into Three

Scene 58 / Page 20 / 85% target

65%

Geoff destroys his research in despair, resolving to stop the nightmare he started.

14

Finale

Scene 73 / Page 22 / 95% target

60%

Barb returns to help Geoff complete his final transformation and trap DeWitt’s forces in the lab.

15

Final Image

Scene 74 / Page 23 / 99% target

55%

Barb gives birth to a healthy baby, suggesting life continues beyond horror.