Save the Cat rankings

THE SIEGE script analysis

THE SIEGE script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

The film opens with a covert extraction that quickly escalates into domestic terror in Manhattan. An FBI team, led by Hub, navigates procedural hurdles and personal conflicts while chasing a Sheik’s network. As bombings increase, alliances shift and trust erodes, culminating in a final confrontation and the arrest of a corrupt general.

75 Save the Cat fit score 45% analysis confidence / 55 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

50%

Shows a high-stakes covert operation and introduces the film’s intense tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

40%

Reveals the Manhattan setting under veil, signaling themes of hidden threats.

3

Set-Up

Scene 5 / 10% target

50%

FBI/NYPD task force forms around a mysterious bus incident and cryptic fax.

Release him? Him who? Who are we holding?
4

Catalyst

Scene 13 / 12% target

55%

A city bus is hijacked and children taken hostage, raising the stakes.

So I'm gonna ask you to... please... let... the... children go.
5

Debate

Scene 16 / 20% target

50%

Hub and Elise question the nature of the threat and whether to engage the Sheik directly.

His name is Sheik Ahmed bin Talal. He's Iraqi. And something of a religious leader.
6

Break into Two

Scene 18 / 25% target

50%

Decision to arrest Samir Nazhde marks shift into active confrontation.

His name's Samir Nazhde. Teaches Arab Studies at Brooklyn College. He sponsored Ail Waziri's student visa. And dig...
7

B Story

Scene 21 / 30% target

45%

Samir confronts Elise, deepening personal relationships outside the main plot.

You let him HIT ME --!! You cannot care about me and let such things happen!
8

Fun and Games

Scene 27 / 40% target

50%

Hub and Elise debate right and wrong amid lighter bar camaraderie.

It's easy to choose between right and wrong. What's hard is choosing the wrong that's more right.
9

Midpoint

Scene 29 / 50% target

50%

Hub asserts his moral stance before senior officials, raising stakes.

With all respect, gentlemen, I'm just a cop. To you these people may be martyrs, but to me...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 32 / 65% target

45%

Discussion of watch lists and bureaucratic failures tightens the net around heroes.

If you're on the State Department Terrorist Watch list you cannot get into this country. But Ali Waziri...
11

All Is Lost

Scene 42 / 75% target

55%

Army assault on warehouse ends mission in chaos and apparent defeat.

Tariq Husseini, this is the United States Army. You are surrounded.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 44 / 80% target

50%

Hub argues with Devereaux over detainee torture, questioning his cause.

Frank... Haddad. Junior.
13

Break into Three

Scene 45 / 85% target

50%

Hub meets Chief of Staff to plan letting the Sheik go, pivoting to final assault.

...The President wants this shit over with. There's only one way to do that. Let the Sheik go.
14

Finale

Scene 54 / 95% target

50%

Samir prepares for final act and Elise confronts him in the Hammman.

Let her go and you'll live.
15

Final Image

Scene 55 / 99% target

55%

Hub arrests Devereaux, closing the arc of justice and corruption.

William Devereaux, you are under arrest for the torture and murder of Tariq Husseini.