Save the Cat rankings

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS script analysis

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Bob Wilton, a floundering journalist, is drawn into Major Bill Django’s experimental “Jedi” psychic program on goats and soldiers at Fort Bragg. Alongside Lyn Cassady, a gifted but dying soldier, Bob witnesses the highs and horrors of psychic warfare. As experiments escalate, the trio’s idealism fractures under military, personal, and moral pressures. Ultimately, a chaotic mission in Iraq forces Bob to confront the blurred line between truth and delusion.

20 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 169 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

Introduces remote hangar full of goats and Bill Django, establishing tone and setting.

I have been having ideas, gentlemen. Challenging ideas. And when I thought about these ideas I thought about...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 2 / 5% target

11%

Larry Hooper’s mention of “peak physical and mental capabilities” hints at mind over matter.

Which section of the military is always straining to reach the peak of their physical and mental capabilities?
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-2 / Pages 1-3 / 10% target

12%

Bob meets psychic program leaders and Lyn, learning about goat experiments and military resistance.

4

Catalyst

Scene 2 / Page 3 / 12% target

10%

Bill returns to Fort Bragg after Esalen, signifying his re-entry into the program.

5

Debate

Scene 3 / Pages 4-5 / 20% target

13%

Bob questions Lyn’s sanity and the mission’s value during desert demonstrations.

6

Break into Two

Scene 4 / Page 6 / 25% target

12%

Bob decides to join Django’s project in the desert, moving into the program’s world.

7

B Story

Scene 6 / Page 8 / 30% target

11%

Bob’s personal backstory emerges at the local newspaper, showing stakes beyond goats.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 7-8 / Pages 9-12 / 40% target

12%

Montage of psychic experiments: healing, remote viewing, solar cooking, hot coals.

9

Midpoint

Scene 9 / Page 13 / 50% target

14%

In Iraq, Lyn’s failed goat kill and violent outburst mark a false victory turning point.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 10 / Page 14 / 65% target

12%

Military skepticism and Lyn’s breakdown mount as experiments harm participants.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 11 / Page 15 / 75% target

11%

Bob and Lyn aimlessly wander Kuwait; Bob feels alone and mission appears futile.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 12 / Page 16 / 80% target

10%

General Hopgood’s reaction underscores military’s disillusionment with psi efforts.

13

Break into Three

Scene 14 / Page 17 / 85% target

11%

Bob resolves to embed as war correspondent—new strategy to tell the true story.

14

Finale

Scenes 151-153 / Pages 50-52 / 95% target

12%

Bob, Lyn, and Bill free prisoners, sabotage the base, and confront Larry with ideals over orders.

15

Final Image

Scenes 155-156 / Pages 53-54 / 99% target

11%

Bob back home, writing his article as the world mocks him, contrasts with opening hope.