Screenplay data
Presumed dead after a Martian storm, astronaut Mark Watney survives and uses his botanical skills to cultivate food and re-establish contact with NASA. While NASA devises a rescue, Watney faces starvation after a Hab breach, prompting a failed supply mission and a risky gravity assist maneuver proposed by Rich Purnell to send the Hermes crew back for him. The Hermes crew, learning Watney is alive, mutinies against NASA to execute the maneuver, as Watney embarks on a long journey to modify the Ares 4 MAV for launch. During a daring flyby, the Hermes crew rescues Watney, who uses a self-made thruster to reach Commander Lewis, and he later returns to Earth to become an instructor for new astronaut recruits.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Martian opens with the crew’s mission on Mars quickly upended by a life-threatening storm that strands Mark Watney alone.
Open full beat sheetMark Watney is listed as Astronaut / Botanist. Bright-eyed, optimistic, resourceful, and humorous. In the parsed data, Mark Watney is connected to 61 scenes, 38 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
61 scenes / 38 dialogue linesMelissa Lewis is listed as Commander of Ares 3. Geologist, disciplined, feels responsible for her crew. In the parsed data, Melissa Lewis is connected to 28 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
28 scenes / 23 dialogue linesVincent Kapoor is listed as Director of Mars Missions, NASA. Dedicated to bringing Watney home. In the parsed data, Vincent Kapoor is connected to 26 scenes, 46 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
26 scenes / 46 dialogue linesRick Martinez is listed as Astronaut / Pilot. Pilot of the MAV. In the parsed data, Rick Martinez is connected to 21 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
21 scenes / 12 dialogue linesBeth Johanssen is listed as Astronaut / Systems Engineer. Tech-savvy, tracks communications. In the parsed data, Beth Johanssen is connected to 20 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
20 scenes / 11 dialogue linesChris Beck is listed as Astronaut / Doctor. Medical officer. In the parsed data, Chris Beck is connected to 16 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
16 scenes / 10 dialogue linesTeddy Sanders is listed as Director of NASA. Pragmatic, focused on public relations and mission success. In the parsed data, Teddy Sanders is connected to 14 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 49 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
14 scenes / 49 dialogue linesBruce Ng is listed as Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Brilliant engineer. In the parsed data, Bruce Ng is connected to 14 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 41.
14 scenes / 15 dialogue linesAlex Vogel is listed as Astronaut / Chemist. European Union crew member. In the parsed data, Alex Vogel is connected to 14 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 70.
14 scenes / 3 dialogue linesMitch Henderson is listed as Hermes Flight Director, NASA. Protective of the crew. In the parsed data, Mitch Henderson is connected to 13 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 40.
13 scenes / 10 dialogue linesAnnie Montrose is listed as Director of Media Relations, NASA. Handles public perception. In the parsed data, Annie Montrose is connected to 8 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
8 scenes / 15 dialogue linesMindy Park is listed as Satellite Communications, NASA. Discovers Watney is alive. In the parsed data, Mindy Park is connected to 7 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
7 scenes / 15 dialogue linesRich Purnell is listed as Astrodynamics, NASA. Calculates the gravity assist maneuver. In the parsed data, Rich Purnell is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 82.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesGuo Ming is listed as Director, CNSA. Chinese space agency leader. In the parsed data, Guo Ming is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 81.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesZhu Tao is listed as Under-Director, CNSA. Chinese space agency official. In the parsed data, Zhu Tao is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 81.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThe Red Planet eclipses the sun.
The crew arrives at the Hab site.
Melissa LewisMark Watney performs an EVA experiment while Martinez inspects the MAV.
Mark Watney, Rick Martinez, Melissa LewisBeck and Johanssen discuss the radio chatter.
Chris Beck, Beth JohanssenLewis shuts off the radios and continues the drill experiment with Vogel.
Mark Watney, Rick Martinez, Melissa Lewis, Alex VogelJohanssen receives a mission update about a storm.
Beth Johanssen, Melissa LewisThe crew prepares for emergency departure due to the storm.
Melissa Lewis, Beth Johanssen, Mark Watney, Chris Beck, Rick Martinez, Alex VogelThe crew struggles through the storm to the MAV; Watney is struck by debris.
Melissa Lewis, Mark Watney, Beth Johanssen, Chris Beck, Rick Martinez, Alex VogelMartinez prepares the MAV for launch.
Rick MartinezThe crew searches for Watney while the MAV tilts.
Melissa Lewis, Beth Johanssen, Chris Beck, Alex Vogel, Rick MartinezThe crew struggles to keep the MAV stable.
Rick Martinez, Alex Vogel, Chris Beck, Beth JohanssenLewis returns to the MAV and they launch.
Melissa Lewis, Rick MartinezTeddy Sanders announces the mission abort and Watney's death.
Teddy SandersWatney wakes up alive.
Mark WatneyWatney treats his wound and records a log.
Mark WatneyWatney plans his survival.
Mark WatneyMark begins the process of creating soil for farming by dumping Martian dirt inside the Hab.
Mark WatneyMark continues to accumulate soil in the Hab.
Mark WatneyMark mixes compost with the Martian soil.
Mark WatneyMark plants potatoes in the prepared soil.
Mark WatneyMark finds a data-stick while working and watches old TV shows.
Mark WatneyMark retrieves Hydrazine from the MDV to create water.
Mark WatneyMark performs chemistry experiments to produce water.
Mark WatneyMark explains his water-making process to the camera.
Mark WatneyMark accidentally causes an explosion.
Mark WatneyMark explains the explosion to the camera.
Mark WatneyMark successfully produces water.
Mark WatneyTime-lapse of Mark's routine leading to the first sprout.
Mark WatneyTeddy Sanders gives a memorial speech for Mark.
Teddy SandersVincent Kapoor arrives at NASA.
Vincent KapoorVincent and Teddy discuss satellite time and the PR implications of Mark's death.
Teddy Sanders, Vincent KapoorMindy Park discovers Mark is alive.
Mindy ParkThe team confirms Mark is alive and discusses how to proceed.
Teddy Sanders, Vincent Kapoor, Annie MontroseMark complains about the disco music.
Mark WatneyMark plans his journey to the Ares 4 site.
Mark WatneyMark discusses the challenges of his journey.
Mark WatneyMark digs up the RTG for heat.
Mark WatneyMark drives with the RTG.
Mark WatneyVincent explains Mark's movements to the press.
Vincent KapoorThe team discusses Mark's progress.
Teddy Sanders, Vincent Kapoor, Mindy Park, Annie Montrose, Mitch HendersonTeddy and Mindy discuss the communication gap with Mars; Teddy orders a reduction in the gap and questions Bruce Ng about a rescue supply mission.
Teddy Sanders, Vincent Kapoor, Mindy Park, Mitch Henderson, Bruce NgMark tends to his potato crop and realizes he needs to make contact with NASA.
Mark WatneyMark studies maps and realizes he can use Pathfinder to communicate.
Mark WatneyVincent and Mindy track Mark's movement and realize he is heading toward Pathfinder.
Vincent Kapoor, Mindy ParkVincent confirms Mark's destination using a map.
Vincent Kapoor, Mindy ParkMark arrives at the Pathfinder site.
Mark WatneyVincent meets Bruce at JPL.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgVincent and Bruce discuss the history of Pathfinder.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgVincent and Bruce inspect the Pathfinder replica.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgMark recovers Pathfinder and begins repairs.
Mark WatneyMark repairs the Pathfinder lander.
Mark WatneyPathfinder boots up and establishes a signal.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgMark confirms the antenna is moving.
Mark WatneyThe team receives the first images from Mars.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgMark receives a 'YES' from NASA.
Mark WatneyMark plans to use hexadecimals to communicate.
Mark WatneyMark sets up the communication cards.
Mark WatneyMark uses Johanssen's laptop to find an ASCII table.
Mark WatneyTim uses the ASCII chart to point the camera.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgMark translates the message 'HOW ALIVE'.
Mark WatneyMark sends his explanation of how he survived.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgMark hacks the rover to communicate with Pathfinder.
Mark WatneyVincent sends a message to Mark.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgThe team watches the communication with Mark.
Teddy Sanders, Mitch Henderson, Annie MontroseMark receives the message from Vincent.
Mark WatneyMark asks about the crew.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgMark learns the crew doesn't know he is alive.
Mark WatneyMark reacts with profanity.
Vincent Kapoor, Bruce NgTeddy and Mitch discuss the situation.
Teddy Sanders, Mitch HendersonThe crew receives the news that Mark is alive.
Melissa Lewis, Rick Martinez, Chris Beck, Beth Johanssen, Alex VogelMark records a log about his crops and NASA's micromanagement.
Mark WatneyMark poses for a photo.
Mark WatneyAnnie and the team discuss the photo.
Teddy Sanders, Vincent Kapoor, Annie Montrose, Mitch Henderson, Bruce NgThe Hab breaches, destroying the crops.
Mark WatneyMark Watney survives the Hab collapse and repairs a leak in his airlock using his own hair and duct tape.
Mark WatneyMark rolls the airlock to the Hab and enters to find his crops destroyed.
Mark WatneyNASA leadership discusses the loss of the crops and the timeline for a rescue mission.
Vincent Kapoor, Teddy Sanders, Annie Montrose, Mitch HendersonMartinez and Mark exchange emails.
Rick Martinez, Mark WatneyRich Purnell works on orbital calculations.
Rich PurnellThe Iris probe launch fails.
Mitch Henderson, Vincent Kapoor, Mindy ParkNow that NASA can talk to me, they won't shut up... They've got a room full of people trying to micromanage my crops. Which is awesome. Look, I don't mean to sound arrogant here, but I'm the best botanist on the planet. So. In other news, there's been a request for me to pose for a picture on the next transmission. I'm debating between "High School Senior..." And "Coquettish Ingenue..." But I'm not sure how that will translate with the spacesuit on. One big bonus of this NASA communication: Email! Just like the days on the Hermes, I get data dumps. Not just friends and family, but NASA also sends choice messages from the public. Rock stars, athletes, even The President. The coolest one is from my alma mater, the University of Chicago. They say once you grow crops somewhere, you have officially "colonized" it. So, technically, I colonized Mars. In your face, Neil Armstrong.
Hermes, this is Mitch Henderson. I have some news. There's no subtle way to put this: Mark Watney is still alive. I know that's a surprise. And I know you'll have a lot of questions. Here are the basics: he's alive and healthy. We found out two months ago and decided not to tell you. I was strongly against that decision. We're telling you now because we finally have communication with him and a viable rescue plan. We'll get you a full write up of what happened, but it's not your fault. Mark stresses that every time it comes up. Take some time to absorb this. Your science schedules are cleared for tomorrow. Send all the questions you want and we'll answer them. Henderson out.
You asked how you did and I'm giving you my answer. My answer is "Eh." And yes, I'm going to make everyone forget there's a strong likelihood Mark Watney is going to die because that's what you pay me for and unfortunately I need this job because I'm currently paying alimony to two deadbeat ex-husbands because somehow gender equality has bitten me square in the ass.
Our nation was blessed to have Mark serving in our space program. His loss will be deeply felt, but the men and women of NASA will soldier forth, onward and upward, unbroken in the mission of their agency. In doing so, they honor the legacy Mark leaves behind, and they ensure his sacrifice will not be in vain.
Can you even imagine what he's going through? He's fifty million miles from home. He thinks he's totally alone and that we all gave up on him. What kind of effect does that have on a man's psychology? What's he thinking about right now?
Three months. You're gonna say that's impossible, then I'm gonna give a speech about the blinding capabilities of the JPL team. And then you'll do the math in your head and say something like "The overtime alone will be a nightmare."
Unfortunately, during the evacuation, Astronaut Mark Watney was struck by debris and killed. Commander Lewis and the rest of her team were able to intercept safely with the Hermes and are now heading home... But Mark Watney is dead.
We've been watching you since Sol 54... The whole world is rooting for you. Amazing job, getting Pathfinder. We're working on rescue plans. Meantime... We're putting together a supply mission to keep you fed until Ares 4 arrives.
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