Save the Cat rankings

TRUE LIES script analysis

TRUE LIES script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

TRUE LIES follows secret agent Harry Tasker infiltrating a Swiss chateau to steal data, then returning to his cover life as a suburban family man. When he uncovers his wife’s affair with a mysterious Simon, domestic conflict collides with global terrorism. Harry and his team race to rescue his wife and daughter from a nuclear-armed militant plot in the Florida Keys.

35 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 297 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

10%

The film opens on a fortified Swiss chateau under night skies, establishing a tone of covert action and danger.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 36 / 5% target

15%

Helen’s line “How was the flight?” to Harry hints at the gulf between his secret life and their domestic reality, foreshadowing deceit and duality.

Hi, honey. How was the flight?
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-12 / 10% target

20%

We meet Harry’s team in the van, see his infiltration gear, and establish his spy persona as he hacks into Khaled’s computer.

4

Catalyst

Scene 50 / 12% target

14%

Helen confides to her friend that Harry’s work absence is grinding their marriage into tension, triggering Harry’s marital crisis.

I mean, it's not like he's saving the world or anything. He's a sales rep for Chrissakes. Whenever...
5

Debate

Scenes 52-53 / 20% target

12%

Harry argues with Dana over skipping class, reflecting his guilt and uncertainty about balancing spy duties and family.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 56-57 / 25% target

13%

Harry adopts his art consultant cover and formally enters Juno’s world, crossing into his new ‘upstairs’ environment.

--corporate art consulting company in San Francisco. I have an appointment with Ms. Skinner--
7

B Story

Scenes 50-51 / 30% target

10%

Helen’s office conversation with Allison introduces the A-story of Harry’s marriage as his emotional plotline.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 64-67 / 40% target

18%

Harry flirts with Juno in her tomb and navigates spy gadgets, delivering the spy-versus-society thrills.

Look at this. People who dies twenty centuries ago.
9

Midpoint

Scenes 117-118 / 50% target

20%

Harry overhears Helen’s call to Simon, confirming her affair—stakes shift from spy mission to personal betrayal.

Can you cover me for an hour?
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 123-131 / 65% target

15%

After realizing Simon is a fake agent and terrorists tail Harry and Helen, threats mount both domestically and from militants.

11

All Is Lost

Scenes 183-184 / 75% target

14%

Helen is captured in the trailer raid, leaving Harry unable to protect his wife or complete his mission.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 190-191 / 80% target

13%

In interrogation, Harry confronts the emotional wreckage of his family life and disgrace at his own home secret.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 246-247 / 85% target

17%

Harry escapes captivity and resolves to rescue Helen and stop the nuclear plot, shifting to action-driven climax.

14

Finale

Scenes 256-264 / 95% target

18%

Harry and Helen team up in a warehouse assault, sabotage the warhead, and escape an exploding truck in heroic finale action.

15

Final Image

Scene 268 / 99% target

10%

Harry resurfaces from the swamp to see Juno escaping with Helen, underscoring that personal and professional worlds still collide.