1998
After a revered Sheik's capture, New York City faces escalating terrorist attacks, investigated by FBI agents Anthony Hubbard and Frank Haddad, who clash with mysterious CIA operative Elise Kraft. As martial law is imposed and Arab-Americans are detained, Hubbard and Frank discover Elise's deep involvement with the terrorist cell, realizing she had recruited and trained the perpetrators, including Samir Nazhde, as CIA assets. They uncover that the attacks are a desperate attempt by Elise's rogue former assets to force the Sheik's release, culminating in a race to prevent Samir from detonating a final bomb. Hubbard and Frank stop the attack, arrest General Devereaux for abuses of power, and Elise is killed by Samir, leaving the agents to reflect on the profound cost of the government's actions.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The film opens with a covert extraction that quickly escalates into domestic terror in Manhattan.
Open full beat sheetAnthony Hubbard is listed as FBI Special Agent. ASAC of the FBI, dedicated, skeptical, and committed to the rule of law. In the parsed data, Anthony Hubbard is connected to 45 scenes, 128 dialogue lines, 128 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
45 scenes / 128 dialogue linesElise Kraft is listed as CIA Operative. National Security Council liaison, complex, manipulative, and deeply involved in Middle Eastern intelligence operations. In the parsed data, Elise Kraft is connected to 33 scenes, 72 dialogue lines, 74 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
33 scenes / 72 dialogue linesFrank Haddad is listed as FBI Agent. Lebanese-American FBI agent, Hub's partner, deeply conflicted by the treatment of his community. In the parsed data, Frank Haddad is connected to 29 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
29 scenes / 29 dialogue linesSamir Nazhde is listed as Professor / Terrorist Associate. Arab Studies professor at Brooklyn College, caught between his loyalties and his role as a recruiter. In the parsed data, Samir Nazhde is connected to 13 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
13 scenes / 21 dialogue linesWilliam Devereaux is listed as Army General. Commanding officer of the military forces deployed to Brooklyn, pragmatic and ruthless. In the parsed data, William Devereaux is connected to 12 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 44 dialogue linesTina Osu is listed as FBI Agent. Sharp, efficient FBI agent working on the task force. In the parsed data, Tina Osu is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDanny Sussman is listed as NYPD Detective. NYPD representative on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. In the parsed data, Danny Sussman is connected to 8 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA Mercedes carrying a Sheik is intercepted by operatives using a sheep herd and an MC-130 aircraft to extract the target.
William DevereauxDevereaux interrogates the captured Sheik, asserting his dominance.
William Devereaux, Samir NazhdeThe call to prayer occurs in a mosque, revealing the setting is actually downtown Manhattan.
Hub, Frank, and Tina discuss a bus incident in Brooklyn.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Tina OsuThe team analyzes the bus incident and receives a cryptic fax.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Tina Osu, Danny SussmanHub and Frank confront Elise Kraft, who is interfering with the crime scene.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftThe team attends a family celebration at Frank's house.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Tina Osu, Danny SussmanHub and Frank review surveillance and decide to put a suspect in play.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank HaddadThe FBI tails a suspect through a market, leading to a chaotic chase.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank HaddadThe FBI raids a house and finds Elise Kraft with the suspect.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Tina OsuHub and his team raid a house to arrest Khalil, finding Elise Kraft present.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Samir Nazhde, Tina OsuHub and Frank transport Elise, questioning her about the terrorist cell.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftA bus is held hostage by terrorists; Hub manages negotiations.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Danny SussmanHub organizes the investigation following the bus bombing.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Tina OsuHub interrogates Khalil using psychological pressure.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Samir Nazhde, Tina OsuHub and Elise discuss the Sheik and the nature of the terrorist threat.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise KraftHub and Elise discuss the investigation and the sheik while eating; Frank arrives with news about Samir Nazhde.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftHub, Frank, and Elise observe Samir Nazhde and decide to arrest him.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeThe team processes Samir; Hub confronts Frank about his behavior and Elise about her asset.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Danny SussmanHub leaves the building and takes a taxi.
Anthony HubbardSamir confronts Elise about his arrest.
Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeGeneral Devereaux visits Hub to discuss the investigation.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, William DevereauxHub and Elise try to get a search warrant from Judge Frankel.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftHub and Elise argue on the stairs before Frank arrives with the warrant.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftThe FBI raids the apartment; a firefight ensues.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftAgents survey the aftermath of a bombing, discovering a failed claymore mine.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftHub and Elise discuss their work and philosophies while other agents celebrate.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Tina OsuHub and Elise arrive at the scene of a new bombing at a gala.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, Danny SussmanGovernment officials and military leaders debate the response to the terrorist attacks.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, William DevereauxHub confronts Elise about her connection to Samir and the lack of intelligence.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise KraftHub watches a special report on the city siege while reviewing surveillance photos of Sharon and Samir.
Anthony HubbardHub and Frank walk downtown discussing the failure of government agencies to track terrorists.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank HaddadA meeting of law enforcement officials to discuss the city's response to the bombings.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, Danny SussmanHub and his team respond to a hostage situation at an elementary school.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Danny SussmanSharon visits Hub at his apartment, leading to a tense and intimate encounter.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise KraftGeneral Devereaux discusses the political implications of the terrorist situation with the Chief of Staff.
William DevereauxMartial law is declared in Brooklyn, and Hub confronts Devereaux.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, William DevereauxHub and Sharon pressure Samir for information.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeHub navigates the occupied streets of Brooklyn while coordinating the next move.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise KraftHub is confronted by a young soldier while medics attend to the wounded; Hub leaves the scene.
Anthony HubbardHub and Frank infiltrate an auto garage to find Tariq Husseini.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Samir NazhdeThe Army intervenes, leading to a violent confrontation and the destruction of the warehouse.
Anthony Hubbard, William Devereaux, Samir NazhdeHub enters the stadium detention center and meets Frank, who is distraught over his son's arrest.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Tina OsuHub argues with Devereaux regarding the treatment of detainees and the interrogation of Tariq.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise Kraft, William DevereauxHub meets with the Chief of Staff to discuss the government's plan to release the Sheik.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise KraftHub and Sharon discuss her past and her involvement in training the terrorists.
Anthony Hubbard, Elise KraftSharon prepares Samir for a mission while Hub and Frank provide cover.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeSharon removes the transmitter from Samir.
Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeElise removes a transponder from Samir's arm while they watch news of the march on TV.
Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeHardwick monitors the apartment and orders a move on the suspects.
William DevereauxElise prepares to leave with Samir.
Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeFBI agents intercept the Army surveillance van.
Frank Haddad, William Devereaux, Danny SussmanHub and Frank discover the apartment is empty.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank HaddadSamir prepares for his final act while Elise confronts him.
Anthony Hubbard, Frank Haddad, Elise Kraft, Samir NazhdeHub arrests General Devereaux.
Anthony Hubbard, William DevereauxGeneral... you've lost men, I've lost men... but what you're doing... It doesn't work in Belfast. It doesn't work in Gaza. And it won't work here. What if... they don't want their leader back at all? You said yourself, we don't even have him. Maybe what they really want -- is that we herd our children into stadiums. Put soldiers into our streets. Radicalize people who want to think of themselves as Americans. Bend the law, shred the constitution. Because if we torture him -- and let's call it what it is... You... and I... then the country men like us have sworn to defend. And bled to defend. And died to defend... is gone. And they've won.
You've got to understand -- these people... believe. Paradise. Bliss. To us they're just words. But to them... It's very beautiful, actually. And when you look at their lives, the heartbreak... And what do we do? We think, aha, we can take advantage of that. So I quit. I came home. I just can't... do it... anymore.
The CIA? The CIA couldn't predict the fall of the Berlin Wall until bricks were hitting them in the head. The Libyans snatched the Sheik -- some sectarian Muslim thing -- I'll explain it next time you have a free week. They killed him. Qaddafi put out disinformation that it was us... Who was your source on this?
His name's Samir Nazhde. Teaches Arab Studies at Brooklyn College. He sponsored Ail Waziri's student visa. And dig this -- his brother blew up a movie theatre in Tel Aviv.
1942, my father was put into the camps at Manzanar. Until the end of the war. Two years. Now he roots for the Dodgers and swears it could never happen again.
Now we can't just let him go. America has to stand tall in the world yadda yadda yadda. So what we do is... We let the American justice system do its work.
Samir's been a very important... project of mine for some time... I'm the only one he'll deal with. He's very well-connected -- and extremely high-strung.
-- Just because you went to night school, or filled out the back of a matchbook or whatever you did to get a law degree doesn't make you Sir Thomas More.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.