1994
In a post-apocalyptic future, convict James Cole is sent back in time from 2035 to 1996 to gather information about a deadly virus that wiped out most of humanity. Cole is mistakenly institutionalized in a mental hospital where he meets psychiatrist Kathryn Railly and a mentally unstable animal rights activist, Jeffrey Mason, who leads the 'Army of the Twelve Monkeys.' As Cole travels between the past and future, he and Railly develop a relationship, and she begins to believe his story, helping him evade authorities while they search for the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, believing them responsible for the virus. They discover that the Army of the Twelve Monkeys is not the true threat, but rather a distraction for Dr. Peters, Jeffrey Mason's apocalypse-obsessed assistant, who is the real perpetrator planning to release the virus at an airport, leading to Cole's fatal confrontation with security forces as he attempts to stop Peters, an event witnessed by his younger self, completing a time loop.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Twelve Monkeys follows James Cole, a convict sent from a post–apocalyptic future to stop a devastating plague by investigating the mysterious “Twelve Monkeys.” As Cole navigates both psychiatric institutions and the law-enforcement world of the 1990s, he teams up with Dr.
Open full beat sheetJames Cole is listed as Protagonist / Time Traveler. A convict from the future sent back in time to gather information about a deadly virus. In the parsed data, James Cole is connected to 25 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
25 scenes / 15 dialogue linesKathryn Railly is listed as Psychiatrist. A psychiatrist who initially treats Cole and later becomes his ally. In the parsed data, Kathryn Railly is connected to 18 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
18 scenes / 10 dialogue linesJeffrey Mason is listed as Mental Patient / Activist. The son of a famous virologist, charismatic and mentally unstable, leader of the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. In the parsed data, Jeffrey Mason is connected to 5 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
5 scenes / 4 dialogue linesYoung Cole is listed as Child version of James Cole. A nine-year-old boy who witnesses the airport incident. In the parsed data, Young Cole is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDr. Peters is listed as Virologist Assistant. An apocalypse-obsessed scientist who releases the virus. In the parsed data, Dr. Peters is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesJose is listed as Prisoner / Time Traveler. A fellow prisoner and time traveler who dies in WWI. In the parsed data, Jose is connected to 1 scene, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDr. Malcolm Mason is listed as Virologist. A famous virologist and father of Jeffrey Mason.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesYoung Cole witnesses a shooting at an airport while his parents try to lead him away.
Young ColeCole wakes up from a dream and is selected for volunteer duty by a guard.
James Cole, JoseCole is questioned by scientists about his surface mission.
James ColeDr. Railly interviews Cole at the police station.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole meets Jeffrey Mason in the mental hospital.
James Cole, Jeffrey MasonJeffrey rants about his father and escaping, leading to a struggle with orderlies.
James Cole, Jeffrey MasonCole and Jeffrey watch a news report about animal experiments.
James Cole, Jeffrey MasonJeffrey gives Cole a key during a chaotic outburst.
James Cole, Jeffrey MasonCole escapes the ward and encounters a security guard.
James ColeDr. Casey shows Railly a note from Cole.
Kathryn RaillyCole wakes up, talks to a restrained Railly about his dream, then leaves her alone to go out.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole interacts with a vending machine.
James ColeCole and Railly arrive in Philadelphia; Cole searches for clues about the Twelve Monkeys.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly are attacked by thugs in an alley.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly confront animal rights activists.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole interrogates the tied-up activists.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole infiltrates the mansion to find Jeffrey Mason.
James Cole, Jeffrey MasonPolice search for Cole after he crashes his car; Cole escapes and finds Railly in the trunk of a Ford.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly discuss his mental state and the virus; Railly decides to help him surrender.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyRailly is debriefed by police regarding Cole's disappearance.
Kathryn RaillyCole emerges from the bathroom with a knife and bloody teeth, having confronted Wallace.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole exits the bathroom, revealing he has removed his teeth to avoid being tracked.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly escape the hotel via the fire escape.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly arrive downtown; Railly calls the carpet cleaning company.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyRailly and Cole shop for disguises.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly watch a movie and discuss their situation.
James Cole, Kathryn RaillyCole and Railly arrive at the airport; Cole realizes he has been here before.
James Cole, Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters, Young ColeCole sprints through the airport, is shot by police, and dies in front of Railly while Young Cole watches the event unfold.
James Cole, Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters, Young ColeDr. Peters boards the plane and speaks with a fellow traveler.
Dr. PetersYoung Cole watches a 747 take off.
Young ColeMr. Cole? My name is Doctor Railly. I'm a psychiatrist. I work for the County -- I don't work for the police. My only concern is your well being -- do you understand that?
Just...just in case. In case I'm not crazy... That's how they find us. By our teeth. I don't want them to find me. Ever. I don't want to go back.
It's obscene, all the violence, all the lunacy. Shootings even at airports now. You might say...we're the next endangered species...human beings!
I've managed to contact certain underlings, evil spirits, secretaries of secretaries, and assorted minions, who will contact my father.
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