Save the Cat rankings

THE INVENTION OF LYING script analysis

THE INVENTION OF LYING script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Mark lives in a world where no one can lie and truth is brutally spoken. After being fired and dumped, he discovers he can lie, gaining wealth and success. His “invention” of lying spirals from personal gain to helping others, climaxing when he must reveal the truth to save his relationship. Ultimately, he reconciles with Jennifer, restoring honesty and balance.

85 Save the Cat fit score 35% analysis confidence / 62 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

60%

Introduces the honest caveman world and the mocked ‘loser’ establishing the film’s premise.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 3 / 5% target

50%

Jennifer’s blunt honesty on a first date hints that unfiltered truth can be cruel.

Hi. You're early. I was just masturbating.
3

Set-Up

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

55%

We see Mark’s world: family, dating woes, work stress, eviction—establishing his low point.

4

Catalyst

Scene 14 / Page 14 / 12% target

70%

Mark discovers he can lie to withdraw more money than he has—upending his reality.

Eight hundred dollars.
5

Debate

Scene 16 / Page 16 / 20% target

50%

Mark hesitates, celebrating his new power but questioning its ethical use.

6

Break into Two

Scene 17 / Page 17 / 25% target

65%

He fully embraces lying, testing it on friends and strangers in the bar.

7

B Story

Scenes 3-5 / Pages 3-5 / 30% target

60%

The budding romance with Jennifer begins amid brutal honesty.

8

Fun and Games

Scene 25 / Page 25 / 40% target

60%

Mark and Greg win big at the casino, showcasing the perks of his lie-based scheme.

9

Midpoint

Scene 36 / Page 36 / 50% target

75%

He lies to his dying grandmother about the afterlife, a powerful emotional high with major stakes.

When you die you're going to go to your favorite place in the whole world. And you're going...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 39 / Page 39 / 65% target

70%

A crowd and the media demand Mark explain his afterlife claims—pressure mounts.

You owe us an explanation. If you know something this important, you better tell us all.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 57 / Page 57 / 75% target

70%

Jennifer returns to tell Mark she’s marrying someone else—his worst personal defeat.

I've been busy with work and things. And I'm getting married. That's why I came over. To tell...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 56 / Page 56 / 80% target

65%

At his grandmother’s grave, Mark realizes that lying has only deepened his loneliness.

Nothing's really changed. I gave people the Man in the Sky, made myself rich and successful, told the...
13

Break into Three

Scene 61 / Page 61 / 85% target

75%

He interrupts Jennifer’s wedding, choosing honesty over deception to win her back.

14

Finale

Scene 62 / Page 62 / 95% target

70%

Mark confesses all to Jennifer outside the church, restoring trust and connection.

Is any of it... the things you said... are they... I can't think of the word. Is there...
15

Final Image

Scene 62 / Page 62 / 99% target

60%

The couple reconciling mirrors the opening’s honesty but now balanced by choice and love.