Save the Cat rankings

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET script analysis

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Jordan Belfort’s rise from a small‐time broker to king of penny stocks is punctuated by excess, personal cost, and legal peril. As his firm expands, so do his temptations and the FBI’s scrutiny, leading to a fall that forces him to confront his values. Ultimately, cooperation offers him a path to redemption and a new beginning.

60 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 140 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

8%

The commercial for Stratton Oakmont introduces the film’s high‐energy financial world.

The world of investing can be a jungle.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

10%

Jordan’s aggressive bullpen game hints that money is power in a jungle-like market.

Twenty five grand to the first cocksucker to nail a bullseye!
3

Set-Up

Scenes 3-13 / Pages 1-10 / 10% target

11%

We learn Jordan’s early success, his relationship with Naomi, and his Wall Street beginnings.

4

Catalyst

Scene 14 / Page 10 / 12% target

9%

Meeting Mark Hanna gives Jordan insider advice on sales and excess, sparking his new approach.

Jordan? Mark Hanna. Good, you’ve met Jerry. One of the smartest guys in the office. Who’s ever sucked...
5

Debate

Scenes 15-19 / Pages 10-15 / 20% target

10%

Jordan debates leaving Rothschild after Black Monday, confronting risks and family pressure.

We’re not pawning anything. I’m gonna be a millionaire, Teresa.
6

Break into Two

Scene 24 / Page 16 / 25% target

10%

Jordan and Donnie start their own firm, stepping into a new world of penny‐stock sales.

Tell you what. You show me a pay stub with $72,000 on it, I’m quitting my job right...
7

B Story

Scene 19 / Page 15 / 30% target

9%

Jordan’s relationship with Teresa underscores the personal stakes behind his ambition.

We’re not pawning anything. I’m gonna be a millionaire, Teresa.
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 28-35 / Pages 17-25 / 40% target

11%

Montage of Jordan building Stratton Oakmont, training brokers, and celebrating big sales.

Gentlemen, welcome to Stratton Oakmont. The clients we’ve gone after in the past -- they’re done. We will...
9

Midpoint

Scene 47 / Page 25 / 50% target

10%

Jordan boasts $28.7 million in commissions—peak success and overconfidence.

Month end, March 1991! $28.7 million in gross commissions - all in Stratton issues. Not bad for penny...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 53-54 / Pages 26-27 / 65% target

10%

FBI Agent Denham reads Forbes article as Jordan’s firm spirals into chaos and scrutiny.

Not this guy though -- what the fuck is he even doing here? He read the Forbes article,...
11

All Is Lost

Scenes 72-73 / Pages 29-30 / 75% target

10%

Jordan gets a subpoena for his wedding video, signaling legal jeopardy.

Jordan, hey. Listen, I got a subpoena. The FBI wants a copy of your wedding video.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 108-112 / Pages 37-38 / 80% target

11%

Intoxicated Jordan struggles to get home, facing the toll of his excess and legal woes.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 124-125 / Pages 43-44 / 85% target

11%

Jordan is offered a cooperation deal by the FBI, deciding between surrender and continued defiance.

14

Finale

Scenes 133-136 / Pages 47-48 / 95% target

10%

Jordan’s wiretap betrayal and sentencing wrap up his fall and partial redemption.

15

Final Image

Scene 140 / Page 50 / 99% target

9%

Jordan hosting a seminar in prison shows his reinvention and cyclical return to salesmanship.