Screenplay data
Wealthy publisher David Aames's life unravels after a car crash disfigures him and blurs his perception of reality, leading to vivid hallucinations and a murder accusation. A psychiatrist interrogates David, who slowly uncovers fragmented memories suggesting his reality is a Lucid Dream created by the Life Extension Corporation. A representative from the corporation reveals David committed suicide years ago and entered cryonic suspension, living his consciousness in a simulated world. David ultimately chooses to take a leap of faith from a skyscraper within his dream, hoping to awaken to an uncertain but real future.
Save the Cat beat sheet
David Aames, a successful New York publisher, wrestles with identity and love as he navigates dreams and reality.
Open full beat sheetDavid Aames, Jr. is listed as Protagonist. A wealthy, charismatic publishing magnate who inherits his father's company and struggles with reality after a disfiguring car accident. In the parsed data, David Aames, Jr. is connected to 80 scenes, 114 dialogue lines, 114 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
80 scenes / 114 dialogue linesSofia Serrano is listed as Love Interest. A 27-year-old aspiring dancer and actress who becomes David's romantic obsession. In the parsed data, Sofia Serrano is connected to 27 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
27 scenes / 7 dialogue linesBrian Shelby is listed as Best Friend. David's loyal friend, an aspiring writer who struggles with his own feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. In the parsed data, Brian Shelby is connected to 14 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
14 scenes / 14 dialogue linesCurtis McCabe is listed as Psychiatrist. A prison psychiatrist tasked with evaluating David's mental state after he is charged with murder. In the parsed data, Curtis McCabe is connected to 10 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
10 scenes / 41 dialogue linesJulianna Gianni is listed as Antagonist/Former Lover. A 25-year-old party girl who has a casual, sexual relationship with David and becomes dangerously obsessed with him. In the parsed data, Julianna Gianni is connected to 10 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
10 scenes / 16 dialogue linesEdmund Ventura is listed as Tech Support. A representative from the Life Extension Corporation who guides David through the realization of his Lucid Dream. In the parsed data, Edmund Ventura is connected to 7 scenes, 51 dialogue lines, 52 text mentions, first appearing around scene 71.
7 scenes / 51 dialogue linesThomas Tipp is listed as Attorney. A sentimental lawyer and associate board member at Aames Publications. In the parsed data, Thomas Tipp is connected to 4 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 70.
4 scenes / 7 dialogue linesRebecca Dearborn is listed as Account Liaison. An employee at the Life Extension Corporation. In the parsed data, Rebecca Dearborn is connected to 1 scene, 14 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 78.
1 scenes / 14 dialogue linesDavid wakes up to a voice-activated clock-radio and begins his morning routine.
David Aames, Jr.David grooms himself in the mirror.
David Aames, Jr.David gets dressed and checks his wallet.
David Aames, Jr.David descends into his living area.
David Aames, Jr.David leaves his apartment in his sports car.
David Aames, Jr.David notices the streets are empty and drives anxiously.
David Aames, Jr.David finds Times Square completely deserted and cries out in anguish.
David Aames, Jr.David wakes up from the nightmare and speaks with his psychiatrist.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeDavid repeats his morning grooming ritual.
David Aames, Jr.David interacts with Julianna before leaving.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniDavid and Julianna say goodbye.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniDavid takes a different car to work.
David Aames, Jr.David drives through the crowded city.
David Aames, Jr.David picks up Brian.
David Aames, Jr., Brian ShelbyDavid and Brian have a near-accident.
David Aames, Jr., Brian ShelbyDavid arrives at his office.
David Aames, Jr.David navigates his office and meets with the board.
David Aames, Jr.McCabe interrogates David.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeDavid hosts a party.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyJulianna confronts David.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniDavid flirts with Sofia.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid and Sofia go to his private office.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid and Sofia talk privately.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyDavid, Sofia, and Brian discuss Julie Gianni's stalking behavior while drinking; Brian becomes intoxicated and emotional.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyBrian and David have a tense conversation about Sofia and their friendship.
David Aames, Jr., Brian ShelbySofia returns; Brian decides to leave.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyJulie Gianni is seen dancing at the party.
Julianna GianniDavid and Sofia arrive at her apartment.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid explores Sofia's apartment and meets her dog.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid and Sofia share drinks and look at photos.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid and Sofia discuss their lives and secrets.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid recounts his night with Sofia to McCabe.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeAaron watches David on a monitor.
David Aames, Jr.David and Sofia draw caricatures of each other.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoSofia falls asleep; David watches an infomercial.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid leaves and encounters Julianna.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniJulianna drives David while questioning their relationship.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniDavid dreams of meeting Sofia.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid wakes up from his dream.
David Aames, Jr.David continues his interrogation with McCabe.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeDavid prepares for the day.
David Aames, Jr.David talks to Thomas Tipp on the phone.
David Aames, Jr., Thomas TippSofia walks down the street; David watches her.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid discusses his facial reconstruction with Dr. Pomeranz.
David Aames, Jr.David watches the Thanksgiving parade.
David Aames, Jr.Families watch the balloon inflation ritual before Thanksgiving.
David Aames, Jr.David watches the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from his apartment.
David Aames, Jr.David reviews paperwork from Aames Publishing.
David Aames, Jr.David practices saying Sofia's name.
David Aames, Jr.David reflects on his homework and board meetings.
David Aames, Jr., Thomas TippDavid attends a board meeting via video.
David Aames, Jr., Thomas TippDavid visits Sofia at the dance studio.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid watches TV and calls Sofia.
David Aames, Jr.David meets Sofia and Brian at a club.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyDavid encounters clubgoers in the bathroom.
David Aames, Jr.David dances and talks to Sofia.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid, Brian, and Sofia leave the club.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyDavid follows Brian and Sofia, then passes out.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbySofia finds David passed out.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Julianna GianniPrisoners howling.
David is led to his appointment.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeInterrogation session with McCabe.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeFlashback to David's surgery.
David Aames, Jr.Sofia helps David remove his facial plates.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid and Sofia have lunch with Brian.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia Serrano, Brian ShelbyDavid discovers his face is disfigured again.
David Aames, Jr.David wakes up and realizes it was a dream.
David Aames, Jr., Sofia SerranoDavid realizes he is in bed with Julianna.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniDavid ties Julianna to the bed, believing she is an intruder posing as Sofia.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniDavid is held at the police station; Thomas Tipp arrives to 'solve' the situation.
David Aames, Jr., Thomas TippDavid leaves the station and encounters a mysterious man.
David Aames, Jr.David is confronted by Brian outside the station.
David Aames, Jr., Brian ShelbyEdmund Ventura approaches David at a restaurant to explain the situation.
David Aames, Jr., Edmund VenturaMcCabe interrogates David about the man in the restaurant and the contract.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeFlashback to the night David killed Julianna, thinking she was Sofia.
David Aames, Jr., Julianna GianniMcCabe tells David he is leaving and that David should plead temporary derangement.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabeDavid realizes the meaning of 'L.E.' while watching an infomercial.
David Aames, Jr.David and McCabe visit the Life Extension Corporation.
David Aames, Jr., Curtis McCabe, Rebecca DearbornDavid meets Ventura in the elevator and learns the truth about his life.
David Aames, Jr., Edmund VenturaVentura explains David's past, the nature of his Lucid Dream, and the reality of his death and cryonic suspension.
David Aames, Jr., Edmund VenturaSometimes the mind behaves as if it were in a dream. Faces change, people become other people. The subconscious is a powerful thing. You treated Julie carelessly, didn't you, David? Your feeling of responsibility or guilt over Julie might have easily turned Sofia into Julie. Do you know what derangement is?
The DNA codes of the human body have been broken. Soon, heart ailments, cancer and so much more, will be a thing of the past. Very simply, your anguish... your discontent... even your death is no longer necessary in a traditional sense. Whatever malady that hides behind that mask... is temporary.
.. with all of the upgrades. You won't remember any of this, nor be charged for the technical support. it is now your moment of choice. You can return to your Lucid Dream, and live a beautiful life with Sofia, or whomever you wish... or you can choose the world out there.
Hey listen, it's David. I'm back in your life. I saw you earlier tonight. I was just watching our old friend Benny the Dog on... on Conan... and I thought of you. Whatever. I loved seeing you today. So I'll see you soon. You're a great dancer!
Yeah... Now, I want you to look at these photos and then I'm going to destroy them. Sofia's testimony is also in here. It won't exist. She's not going to press charges.
David, the Board and I have taken care of everything. They've been really great, actually. All of this is going to disappear. We're all behind you... even the Board.
It was Sofia who never fully recovered. It was she who somehow knew you best. And like you, she never forgot that one night where real, true love seemed possible.
You will never know the exquisite pain of the guy who goes home alone. Because without the bitter, baby, the sweet ain't as sweet. Have a good time.
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