Man
Man is listed as Protagonist. Approximately 40-50 years old, emaciated, protective father. In the parsed data, Man is connected to 101 scenes, 193 dialogue lines, 199 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
101 scenes / 193 dialogue lines113Scenes
8Characters
80Pages
8Dialogue samples
Save the Cat beat sheet
THE ROAD Save the Cat analysis
A man and his young son navigate a devastated landscape after civilization’s collapse, bonding through flashbacks and life-or-death lessons.
Open full beat sheetKey characters
Boy
Boy is listed as Protagonist. Approximately 10 years old, son of the Man. In the parsed data, Boy is connected to 95 scenes, 144 dialogue lines, 153 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
95 scenes / 144 dialogue linesWoman
Woman is listed as Supporting. The Man's wife, appears in flashbacks. In the parsed data, Woman is connected to 10 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
10 scenes / 21 dialogue linesVeteran
Veteran is listed as Supporting. A man who encounters the Boy at the end. In the parsed data, Veteran is connected to 5 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 108.
5 scenes / 32 dialogue linesEly
Ely is listed as Minor. An elderly man encountered on the road. In the parsed data, Ely is connected to 4 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 77.
4 scenes / 29 dialogue linesGang Member
Gang Member is listed as Antagonist. Member of a road gang. In the parsed data, Gang Member is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDying Man
Dying Man is listed as Minor. Struck by lightning. In the parsed data, Dying Man is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 32.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMotherly Woman
Motherly Woman is listed as Supporting. The Veteran's wife. In the parsed data, Motherly Woman is connected to 1 scene, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 113.
1 scenes / 4 dialogue linesScene outline
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1. EXT. CORN FIELD - DAY
A peaceful, bucolic scene of a farm and a woman resting in the grass, serving as a flashback.
Woman -
2. INT. DINING ROOM/HOME - NIGHT
An abandoned meal sits on a table near a piano.
-
3. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
The Man wakes up restless in bed next to his pregnant wife.
Man, Woman -
4. INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT
The Man runs a bath while his wife watches, confused by his behavior.
Man, Woman -
5. EXT. CAMPSITE - DAWN
The Man and Boy wake up to an earthquake.
Man, Boy -
6. EXT. ROAD - DAY
The Man and Boy travel through a desolate landscape.
Man, Boy -
7. EXT. RIDGE/CAMPSITE - EVENING
The Man and Boy camp on a ridge and see snow.
Man, Boy -
8. EXT. ROAD/HILL - LATE AFTERNOON
The Man and Boy encounter a dying man struck by lightning.
Man, Boy, Dying Man -
9. EXT. BRIDGE - EVENING
The Man and Boy camp under a bridge and discuss the dying man.
Man, Boy -
10. INT. BARN - DAY
The Man and Boy find a barn with hanged bodies.
Man, Boy -
11. EXT. FARM GATE - DAY
The Man shows the Boy how to use the revolver.
Man, Boy -
12. INT. CLAPBOARD HOUSE - DAY
Flashback to the birth of the Boy.
Man, Woman -
13. INT. TRAILER HOME - EVENING
The Man and Boy share cocoa.
Man, Boy -
14. EXT. TURNPIKE - DAY
The Man and Boy approach a tunnel.
Man, Boy -
15. INT. TUNNEL - DAY
They walk through the tunnel and see mummified bodies.
Man, Boy -
16. INT. ABANDONED CAR - EARLY MORNING
The Man wakes up and sees a road gang.
Man, Boy, Gang Member -
17. EXT. TURNPIKE UNDERPASS - DAY
The Man confronts a gang member.
Man, Boy, Gang Member -
18. EXT. WOODS - EVENING
The Man and Boy hide from the gang.
Man, Boy -
19. EXT. EMBANKMENT - DAWN
The Man washes the Boy's hair.
Man, Boy -
20. EXT. EMBANKMENT BY TUNNEL EXIT - DAY
The Man and the Boy approach an embankment; the Man leaves the Boy to scout ahead, but the Boy follows, causing tension.
Man, Boy -
21. EXT. TURNPIKE ROAD - DAY
The Man finds their plundered cart and the remains of a road gang member.
Man -
22. EXT. EMBANKMENT BY THE TURNPIKE - DAY
The Man returns to the Boy and they continue their journey.
Man, Boy -
23. INT. CLAPBOARD HOUSE - NIGHT
Flashback: The Man and Woman argue about the future and the gun.
Man, Boy, Woman -
24. EXT. RAVINE/WATERFALL - DAY
The Man and Boy discover a waterfall and bathe.
Man, Boy -
25. EXT. RAVINE/ROCKFACE - EVENING
The Man and Boy camp; the Man talks about carrying the fire.
Man, Boy -
26. EXT. THE RIVER/VALLEY - MORNING
They continue their journey away from the waterfall.
Man, Boy -
27. EXT. BRIDGE - DAY
They find an abandoned truck on a bridge.
Man, Boy -
28. INT. TRUCK/CAB - NIGHT
They camp in the truck; the Boy expresses a wish to be with his mother.
Man, Boy -
29. EXT. CAMP/ROAD - EARLY HOURS
The Man discards his wallet and personal items.
Man -
30. EXT. CLAPBOARD HOUSE/YARD - NIGHT
Flashback: The Woman leaves the Man.
Man, Woman -
31. EXT. CITY LIMITS - DUSK
The Man and Boy approach a dead city.
Man, Boy -
32. EXT. STATELY HOME - DAY
They explore a stately home and find a cellar full of captives.
Man, Boy -
33. INT. REST ROOM - DAY
The Man and Boy hide in a rest room while the captors are nearby.
Man, Boy -
34. EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
They escape into the woods.
Man, Boy -
35. INT. SEARS/MALL - NIGHT
They camp in a mall.
Man, Boy -
36. INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY
They search a supermarket for food.
Man, Boy -
37. EXT. SUPERMARKET/PARKING LOT - DAY
The Man and Boy arrive at a defunct supermarket.
Man, Boy -
38. INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY
They search the supermarket and find a can of Coke.
Man, Boy -
39. EXT. MALL/PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON
They hear a dog barking.
Man, Boy -
40. EXT. SUBURBS - DAY
They walk past a ruined ball park.
Man, Boy -
41. EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAY
The Man visits his childhood home.
Man, Boy -
42. INT. DINING ROOM/HOME - EVENING
The Man reminisces about Christmas in the house.
Man, Boy -
43. EXT. PORCH/HOME - DAY
The Boy waits outside while the Man searches the house.
Man, Boy -
44. INT. OLD HOUSE - DAY
The Man searches the house for food.
Man -
45. EXT. PORCH/OLD HOUSE - DAY
The Boy sees another child.
Man, Boy -
46. INT. PANTRY/CLAPBOARD HOUSE - DAY
The Man finds raisins.
Man -
47. EXT. HOUSE OPPOSITE - DAY
The Boy chases the other child.
Man, Boy -
48. EXT. TOWN STREET/OVERPASS - EVENING
They find an abandoned car.
Man, Boy -
49. INT. CHEVY - NIGHT
They eat a shriveled apple.
Man, Boy -
50. EXT. DESOLATE ROAD - DAY
They see a display of human heads.
Man, Boy -
51. EXT. EDGE OF WOODS - EVENING
They hide from militants.
Man, Boy -
52. EXT. DEEP IN THE WOODS - EVENING
Trees fall around them.
Man, Boy -
53. EXT. SEWER PIPE/EMBANKMENT - NIGHT
They shelter in a sewer pipe.
Man, Boy -
54. INT. BEDROOM/TOWN HOUSE - DAY
The Man finds a corpse.
Man, Boy -
55. INT. TOWN HOUSE - DAY
The Man plays a piano.
Man, Boy -
56. INT. CLAPBOARD HOUSE - DAY
Flashback to the Man and Woman with the piano.
Man, Woman -
57. EXT. YARD - DAY
The Man finds a bunker.
Man, Boy -
58. INT. BUNKER - EVENING
They find a stockpile of food.
Man, Boy -
59. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - NIGHT
The Man puts the Boy to bed and watches him sleep, feeling emotional.
Man, Boy -
60. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - NIGHT
The Man examines the Boy's collection of artifacts and a drawing of the Woman.
Man, Boy -
61. INT. THEATRE - EVENING
Flashback to the Man and Woman at a concert.
Man, Woman -
62. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - MORNING
The Boy wakes up and is protective of his artifacts; they share a moment.
Man, Boy -
63. EXT. LAWN - DAWN
The Man and Boy emerge from the bunker.
Man, Boy -
64. INT. BATHROOM, TOWN HOUSE - DAWN
The Man bathes the Boy.
Man, Boy -
65. INT. BATHROOM/CLAPBOARD HOUSE - DAY
Flashback to the Woman washing the Boy's hair.
Boy, Woman -
66. INT. BATHROOM, TOWN HOUSE - DAY
The Man shaves and cuts the Boy's hair.
Man, Boy -
67. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - MORNING
The Man and Boy play checkers.
Man, Boy -
68. EXT. LAWN - NIGHT
Heavy rain falls on the lawn.
-
69. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - NIGHT
The Man and Boy have a feast; the Man drinks whiskey.
Man, Boy -
70. EXT. LAWN - EVENING
The Man coughs and covers the bunker hatch with a mattress.
Man -
71. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - DAWN
The Man and Boy hear something outside.
Man, Boy -
72. EXT. LAWN - MORNING
The Man checks outside.
Man -
73. INT. BUNKER - (CAMP 12) - MORNING
The Man and Boy pack to leave.
Man, Boy -
74. EXT. LAWN - MORNING
The Man covers their tracks.
Man -
75. EXT. RIVER - DAY
The Man and Boy travel with their trolley.
Man, Boy -
76. EXT. BEND/THE ROAD - DAY
The Man spots a figure ahead.
Man -
77. EXT. ROAD - DAY
The Man and Boy encounter Ely.
Man, Boy, Ely -
78. EXT. WOODS - DAY
The trio walks into the woods.
Man, Boy, Ely -
79. EXT. CLEARING/WOODS - (CAMP 14) - EVENING
They camp with Ely.
Man, Boy, Ely -
80. EXT. EDGE OF WOODS - (CAMP 14) - MORNING
Ely leaves.
Man, Boy, Ely
Dialogue examples
I live like an animal. You don't want to know the things I've had to eat. When I saw that boy I thought I'd died and he was an angel. I never thought I'd see a child again. I never thought that would happen to me.
Listen. That man back there... there's not many good guys left, that's all. We have to watch out for the bad guys. And we have to talk. Always. We have to just... you know... keep carrying the fire...
Look. You got two choices here. You can stay here with your papa or you can go with me. If you stay you need to keep off the road.
You always think bad things are going to happen but we found this place. Maybe we'll find another place like this at the coast.
We've been following you. Did you know that? We saw you with your Papa and we tried to catch up but you were too quick for us.
I thought about not even telling you. Just doing it. I'd empty every godamn bullet into my brain and leave you with nothing.
No. What would you do? Even if you knew what to do you wouldn't know what to do. Suppose you were the last man left alive?
We have to keep moving. Other people might be attracted to the waterfall just like we were. We wouldn't hear them coming.
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