Save the Cat rankings

THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES script analysis

THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

The Mitchell family, imperfect but loving, must unite when PAL’s robots launch an apocalypse. Katie’s individual journey to college collides with the family’s fight for survival, testing their bonds. Through escalating battles and personal revelations, they rediscover their strengths together. Ultimately, love and teamwork triumph over isolation.

85 Save the Cat fit score 25% analysis confidence / 27 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

30%

Introduces the Mitchells in a chaotic robot chase, setting tone and stakes.

We all want to be the perfect family. But who’s perfect, right?
2

Theme Stated

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 5% target

20%

Early line hints that no family is perfect, foreshadowing the need for unity.

Every family has its challenges. From picture day, to picky eaters.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 4-5 / Pages 1-3 / 10% target

30%

Flashback to the Mitchell home and Katie’s room establishes family dynamics and her artistic passion.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / Pages 3-4 / 12% target

40%

PAL Max robots betray their audience, igniting the machine apocalypse.

Wait, their private emails? That’s a dangerous overreach of corporate power.
5

Debate

Scene 11 / Pages 5-6 / 20% target

30%

The Mitchells argue in the gift shop, questioning their plan and each other.

Dad, you break my laptop, cancel my tickets to college, make me late- what am I supposed to...
6

Break into Two

Scene 12 / Pages 6-7 / 25% target

30%

They discover defective robots and decide to collaborate on stopping the apocalypse.

No one cares about the screws!!
7

B Story

Scene 9 / Pages 4-5 / 30% target

30%

An awkward car moment between Rick and Katie deepens their personal relationship arc.

Mai-ala-hee! Mai-ala-who!
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 12-15 / Pages 6-9 / 40% target

30%

Family tests robots’ kill code, camouflages their car, and engages in high-speed chases.

9

Midpoint

Scene 17 / Pages 10-11 / 50% target

40%

Arriving at the mall, they face a full-scale appliance attack, raising stakes dramatically.

Everything with a PAL chip is alive!!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 18 / Pages 11-12 / 65% target

30%

Defeating the Furby escalates PAL’s retaliation, showcasing the growing threat.

You want to come after my family? Then I’m gonna TAKE. YOU. DOWN!
11

All Is Lost

Scene 20 / Pages 13-14 / 75% target

40%

PAL’s creation of Stealthbots signals a dire low point for the family’s odds.

AUGH! Place me on the table. I wish to flop around in a blind rage.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 21 / Pages 14-15 / 80% target

30%

Family shares vulnerabilities; Linda shows Katie memories, underscoring their bond struggles.

There’s more to your dad than you think.
13

Break into Three

Scene 23 / Pages 16-17 / 85% target

30%

Rick hacks the system to rescue Katie, marking their renewed unity.

It took me 28 minutes and a lot of tears, but I can now almost use a computer!
14

Finale

Scenes 24-25 / Pages 17-19 / 95% target

40%

The Mitchells lead a musical battle and Katie defeats PAL, resolving the conflict.

If we’re going down, Dad, this one’s for you. Robots- play our song....
15

Final Image

Scenes 26-27 / Pages 19-20 / 99% target

30%

Katie departs for college and video-calls her family, showing their restored closeness.

I got on that YouTube. I sent you a friend request. Why didn’t you accept it?