Save the Cat rankings

Untitled Steve Knight Project script analysis

Untitled Steve Knight Project script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

A downed spy, Max Vatan, crash-lands in Morocco and re-teams with undercover agent Marianne to carry out a high-stakes assassination at the German Embassy in Casablanca. After their success and a passionate escape, they marry and start a family in London, only for Max’s own agency to suspect Marianne of espionage. As he fights to prove her loyalty, their marriage and lives unravel in a tragic final confrontation.

80 Save the Cat fit score 34% analysis confidence / 98 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

12%

Max’s crashed plane in the desert presents his broken, isolated state at story’s start.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / 5% target

15%

At Cafe Rivoli Max and Marianne pose as spouses, hinting that trust and true identity will drive the story.

Friends, colleagues, and those of you who thought he was a figment of my imagination, may I introduce,...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-5 / 10% target

20%

Max adopts his new identity, reunites with Marianne, and we see their developing rapport and cover story.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / 12% target

18%

Max kills the MP who recognizes him—forcing the mission forward and raising stakes.

Some guy in there sounds like he’s choking or something.
5

Debate

Scenes 7-8 / 20% target

20%

Max and Marianne question their relationship’s safety and his own willingness to protect her.

Testing you. The way you tested me.
6

Break into Two

Scenes 9-10 / 25% target

22%

They formally embark on their mission inside the German Embassy, entering Act Two.

There is a stupid poker game in the Rue Valence.
7

B Story

Scenes 12-14 / 30% target

18%

Their personal relationship deepens during intimate sunrise meets and a car interlude, setting up the emotional throughline.

You don’t think you’ll see another sunrise, do you?
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 15-16 / 40% target

20%

The couple carries out the glamorous, suspenseful embassy party mission—spies in action.

My God, he only has two bodyguards.
9

Midpoint

Scenes 17-19 / 50% target

16%

Their mission succeeds and they escape wounded but alive—stakes feel high and victory is bittersweet.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 20-24 / 65% target

18%

Post-escape tensions rise as they head to London and Marianne’s loyalty gradually comes under scrutiny.

We are alive. We are both alive.
11

All Is Lost

Scenes 47-48 / 75% target

25%

Max is accused by V-Section that Marianne is a German spy—his world collapses.

We believe your wife is a German spy.
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 50-53 / 80% target

20%

Home life shatters, Max wrestles with guilt, fear and the possibility he’s betrayed the woman he loves.

13

Break into Three

Scenes 64-66 / 85% target

18%

Max decides to actively investigate Marianne’s past—he pivots from despair to action.

14

Finale

Scenes 95-96 / 95% target

22%

Max confronts Marianne’s betrayals in a violent showdown, leading to her suicide—culmination of all conflicts.

Take my beautiful Anna to Medicine Hat. Take good care of her. I love you. That is real....
15

Final Image

Scene 98 / 99% target

20%

Years later Anna reads Marianne’s letter—Max faces the truth and legacy of their love and loss.

A lawyer there had it in his safe. He had instruction to send it to me on my...