Save the Cat rankings

The Talented Mr Ripley script analysis

The Talented Mr Ripley script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Tom Ripley, a charming con man, is hired to retrieve wealthy Herbert Greenleaf’s son from Italy. As Tom ingratiates himself with Dickie and Marge, his obsession with Dickie’s identity leads to murder and a web of deception. Ultimately, Tom fully assumes Dickie’s persona, eliminating threats to his new life.

80 Save the Cat fit score 58% analysis confidence / 103 parsed scenes

Save the Cat is referenced as a story-analysis framework. SlugDB is not affiliated with Save the Cat or its rights holders.

1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

60%

Ripley alone in his cabin reflects on undoing his past, establishing his loneliness and guilt.

If I could just go back. If I could rub everything out. Starting with myself. Starting with borrowing...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 5 / 5% target

55%

Herbert’s offer to send Tom to Italy poses the question of identity and belonging.

Could you ever conceive of going to Italy, Tom, persuade my son to come home? I'd pay you....
3

Set-Up

Scene 10 / 10% target

57%

Tom bonds with Marge in Mongibello, enjoying the glamorous lifestyle and hinting at his desire to belong.

Oh I hated New York - that Park Avenue crowd - so I fled to Paris to work...
4

Catalyst

Scene 12 / 12% target

50%

Tom and Dickie’s playful chemistry deepens, pushing Tom toward a more personal involvement.

5

Debate

Scene 21 / 20% target

52%

Left alone in the record store, Tom wonders if he truly fits into Dickie’s world.

6

Break into Two

Scene 26 / 25% target

54%

Marge’s doubts about Dickie’s affection motivate Tom to seize control of his destiny.

The thing with Dickie - it's like the sun shines on you and it's glorious, then he forgets...
7

B Story

Scene 31 / 30% target

53%

Tom learns Greenleaf has ended his pay, isolating him and deepening his reliance on Dickie and Marge.

8

Fun and Games

Scene 41 / 40% target

56%

Tom enjoys forging letters in Dickie’s signature, playfully assuming his identity.

9

Midpoint

Scene 51 / 50% target

58%

With Meredith’s help at American Express, Tom cements his new persona, raising stakes.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 67 / 65% target

60%

Police question Tom about Freddie’s death, and external pressure mounts.

Inspector Roverini. Can we come in?
11

All Is Lost

Scene 77 / 75% target

55%

Tom hides Dickie’s belongings in the basement, symbolizing total immersion in the lie.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 83 / 80% target

57%

In Venice, Tom confesses to Peter the burden of his past, doubting his choices.

13

Break into Three

Scene 88 / 85% target

59%

Confronted by MacCarron, Tom must decide whether to maintain his façade or collapse.

But I hope that note goes to New York in your purse, for a rainy day.
14

Finale

Scene 98 / 95% target

62%

Marge’s final confrontation forces Tom to betray her trust and secure his secret.

I feel I never should have said those things to you the other evening. I was pretty flustered,...
15

Final Image

Scene 102 / 99% target

65%

Alone after killing Peter, Tom fully embodies the isolated con artist he’s become.

Good. But I think we should stay in here for the rest of the trip.