1995
Dr. John Whittlesley transforms into a monster after being infected by a virus during an expedition, leading to a series of gruesome murders at the Museum of Natural History. FBI Agent Pendergast, NYPD Detective D'Agosta, and Evolutionary Biologist Margo Green discover the creature is Whittlesley, mutated and requiring human brains for survival. During a chaotic museum opening, the monster attacks, prompting a desperate struggle where Margo recognizes Whittlesley before Pendergast ultimately kills the creature. In the aftermath, researcher Gregory Kawakita secretly consumes the plant fibers, hinting at a potential continuation of the monstrous threat.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The Relic follows FBI agent Pendergast and museum curator Margo Green as they investigate a series of bloody killings tied to a mysterious crate from Brazil.
Open full beat sheetPendergast is listed as FBI Agent. Strikingly dignified, imposing, calm, and intellectual. In the parsed data, Pendergast is connected to 37 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
37 scenes / 33 dialogue linesMargo Green is listed as Evolutionary Biologist. Natural beauty, intelligent, orderly, and former romantic interest of Whittlesley. In the parsed data, Margo Green is connected to 29 scenes, 40 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
29 scenes / 40 dialogue linesVince D'Agosta is listed as NYPD Detective. Round, balding, authoritative, working-class, operates from the gut. In the parsed data, Vince D'Agosta is connected to 24 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
24 scenes / 10 dialogue linesDr. Frock is listed as Curator. White-haired, wheelchair-bound, knowledgeable about primitive pharmacology. In the parsed data, Dr. Frock is connected to 15 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
15 scenes / 11 dialogue linesGregory Kawakita is listed as Researcher. Young, jerky movements, obsessed with fly fishing and science. In the parsed data, Gregory Kawakita is connected to 13 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
13 scenes / 4 dialogue linesDaniel Beauregard is listed as Museum Guard. Gentle, white-blond hair, southern accent. In the parsed data, Daniel Beauregard is connected to 10 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
10 scenes / 8 dialogue linesJohn Whittlesley is listed as Expedition Leader. Once handsome, now rail-thin, unkempt, and desperate; infected by a virus that transforms him into a monster. In the parsed data, John Whittlesley is connected to 8 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
8 scenes / 4 dialogue linesIan Cuthbert is listed as Museum Director. Pudgy, banker-like, focused on financial bottom line. In the parsed data, Ian Cuthbert is connected to 7 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
7 scenes / 3 dialogue linesWhittlesley forces a taxi driver to speed toward the harbor.
John WhittlesleyWhittlesley reaches the Santa Lucia and forces his way on board despite the crew's resistance.
John WhittlesleyWhittlesley discovers the crates are vibrating and prepares to kill himself.
John WhittlesleyPendergast drives to the scene of the ghost ship discovery.
PendergastPendergast investigates the abandoned Santa Lucia.
PendergastMargo Green prepares for her day.
Margo GreenMargo arrives at the museum.
Margo Green, Ian CuthbertCuthbert discovers the crates have been opened from the inside.
Ian Cuthbert, Daniel BeauregardKawakita informs Margo that Dr. Frock has been fired.
Margo Green, Gregory KawakitaMargo confronts Frock about his firing.
Margo Green, Dr. FrockMargo enters the museum and is directed by a cop to the IMAX room for a briefing.
Margo GreenMargo walks through a side hall, sees Henry and Larry, and witnesses a night watchman with blood-soaked sneakers.
Margo GreenPendergast arrives and asks Officer Bailey to take him to the officer in charge.
PendergastPendergast meets D'Agosta at the crime scene in the basement.
Pendergast, Vince D'AgostaCuthbert briefs the museum staff on the murder of Daniel Beauregard.
Margo Green, Ian Cuthbert, Dr. Frock, Gregory KawakitaMargo, Frock, and Kawakita discuss the murder and the Mbwun statue.
Margo Green, Ian Cuthbert, Dr. Frock, Gregory KawakitaPendergast and D'Agosta discuss the case and the connection to the boat from Brazil.
Pendergast, Vince D'AgostaPendergast and D'Agosta interview Henry and Larry about the monster they saw.
Pendergast, Vince D'AgostaDr. Ziewzic performs an autopsy on Beauregard's remains.
Pendergast, Vince D'AgostaPendergast meets Margo and discusses Dr. Whittlesley.
Pendergast, Margo GreenPendergast and Margo search for the Mbwun statue, Margo is stalked by a creature, and Pendergast finds her unconscious.
Pendergast, Margo GreenPendergast instructs police officers to secure the exhibit.
Pendergast, Margo GreenMargo and Pendergast exit the museum and discuss the claw DNA.
Pendergast, Margo GreenOfficer Doyle is attacked by the creature while guarding the exhibit.
Officer McNitt checks the exhibit and finds Doyle missing.
Cuthbert, Pendergast, and D'Agosta discuss the museum's financial state and security.
Pendergast, Ian Cuthbert, Vince D'AgostaMargo and Kawakita analyze the claw DNA.
Pendergast, Margo Green, Vince D'Agosta, Gregory KawakitaPendergast, D'Agosta, and Dr. Frock head to storage.
Pendergast, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaThe group rides the freight elevator.
Pendergast, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaThe group visits the preparation area.
Pendergast, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaThe group finds a letter from Whittlesley in the storage room.
Pendergast, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaFrock finds the museum blueprints.
Pendergast, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaPendergast and D'Agosta prepare to enter the sub-basement.
Pendergast, Vince D'AgostaPendergast and the team find the entrance to the sub-basement.
PendergastThe team descends into the sub-basement.
PendergastD'Agosta discusses security with Ippolito.
Vince D'AgostaMargo, Kawakita, and Frock examine the crate contents, discovering a mysterious plant and eggs.
Margo Green, Gregory Kawakita, Dr. FrockPendergast and his team track a scent in the sub-basement, leading to a confrontation with a creature.
Pendergast, Daniel BeauregardD'Agosta confronts Cuthbert about the missing Pendergast and the safety of the museum opening.
Vince D'Agosta, Ian CuthbertMargo, Frock, and Kawakita analyze the plant and realize the creature's motive.
Margo Green, Gregory Kawakita, Dr. FrockPanic erupts at the museum opening when a body is discovered.
Vince D'Agosta, Ian CuthbertMargo and Frock experience a power failure and decide to leave the lab with the crate.
Margo Green, Dr. FrockFrock and Margo navigate the hallways and discover a fire door blocking their path.
Margo Green, Dr. FrockPendergast finds a hidden door in the basement.
Pendergast, Daniel BeauregardPendergast and Jonathan enter a storage room filled with specimens.
Pendergast, Daniel BeauregardPendergast and Jonathan realize they are in the osteo prep lab and hear the monster.
Pendergast, Daniel BeauregardJonathan and Hobbes flee the museum as a roar echoes behind them.
John Whittlesley, Daniel BeauregardPendergast, Margo, and Frock discuss their escape plan while the monster approaches.
Pendergast, Margo Green, Dr. FrockMargo and Pendergast run toward the stairs.
Pendergast, Margo GreenD'Agosta's group is panicked; they hear Pendergast and call out to him.
Pendergast, Vince D'Agosta, Gregory KawakitaMargo and Pendergast attempt to reach D'Agosta's group through a locked fire door.
Pendergast, Margo Green, Vince D'Agosta, Gregory KawakitaPendergast distracts the monster to buy time for the others.
Pendergast, Margo GreenD'Agosta's group navigates the flooded tunnels.
Vince D'Agosta, Gregory KawakitaPendergast and Margo plan to draw the monster away.
Pendergast, Margo GreenSWAT teams prepare to enter the museum.
Jonathan finds a drunk man and prepares to escape.
John Whittlesley, Daniel BeauregardJonathan and the drunk are rescued by SWAT.
John Whittlesley, Daniel BeauregardD'Agosta's group discovers the monster's lair.
Vince D'Agosta, Gregory KawakitaMargo confronts the monster and realizes it is John Whittlesley.
Pendergast, Margo GreenMargo explains the origin of the monster to Pendergast, revealing it is John Whittlesley transformed by a virus.
John Whittlesley, Pendergast, Margo GreenIppolito and Waters observe the chaos below as the monster enters the hall.
Vince D'Agosta, Daniel BeauregardThe monster attacks the skeleton, Pendergast and Margo confront it, and Pendergast prepares to shoot.
John Whittlesley, Pendergast, Margo Green, Vince D'Agosta, Daniel BeauregardThe aftermath of the battle; Pendergast and D'Agosta share a moment.
Pendergast, Margo Green, Vince D'Agosta, Gregory KawakitaMargo and Kawakita discuss his work.
Margo Green, Gregory KawakitaMargo meets Pendergast, D'Agosta, and Frock.
Pendergast, Margo Green, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaThe group discusses the fate of the plants and the new diorama.
Pendergast, Margo Green, Dr. Frock, Vince D'AgostaKawakita secretly consumes the plant fibers.
Gregory KawakitaThat thing is John Whittlesley. I should have seen it before! The fibers are infected with a virus. You eat them, and the virus alters your DNA! He became addicted to them in South America, followed the plants back to the states. He probably entered the country as a man. It would have taken several months for the change to take place. That's how he got from the boat to the museum!
Go out the other doorway. There's a stair at the end of the hall. Up five flights is a corridor that leads to the Hall of the Heavens. Find Lieutenant D'Agosta. Bring help.
I'm Dr. John Whittlesley. You have some crates of mine on board. They were shipped by mistake to the Natural History Museum. We have to get them off the boat.
The virus itself might have positive applications. They'll keep the plants in secure lock up while the studies are made. Greg isn't joining us?
A member of our security force has been found murdered. The police have just informed me it was Daniel Beauregard.
What if Whittlesley arrived on the tepui and no monster was there? Was he desperate enough to create one?
Pendergast told me the killer extracts and eats the hypothalamus and thalamus of the victim's brains!
I don't think so. I think we were meant to think it was Mbwun. Did Whittlesley's monster have claws?
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