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WAR OF THE WORLDS script analysis

WAR OF THE WORLDS script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Ray Ferrier’s ordinary life as a divorced father is upended when alien tripods emerge and strike his suburban town. Forced to flee with his children, Ray navigates danger, domestic tension, and a deranged survivor before witnessing humanity’s final stand. In the aftermath, the family reunites and learns the aliens succumbed to Earth’s smallest inhabitants.

80 Save the Cat fit score 85% analysis confidence / 35 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

80%

Establishes Ray’s mundane world and strained relationship with his boss before any alien threat appears.

I need you back at 4:00 instead of 12:00 I got half of Korea coming in.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 5% target

75%

Mary Ann’s critique of the empty kitchen hints at Ray’s responsibility to his family and the need to ‘keep things together.’

You're out of milk. And everything else.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-6 / Pages 1-2 / 10% target

80%

Introduces Ray, his ex‐wife, and the children, showing his work life, domestic struggle, and family dynamics.

4

Catalyst

Scene 7 / Page 2 / 12% target

90%

An unearthly storm with strange lightning signals the arrival of the alien threat.

5

Debate

Scenes 9-10 / Pages 2-3 / 20% target

85%

Ray contemplates how to protect his kids as communications and electronics fail and the machine emerges.

Where the hell'd you go?
6

Break into Two

Scene 13 / Page 3 / 25% target

88%

Ray steals Manny’s car in a desperate bid to escape, marking the point of no return into the alien‐invaded world.

GET IN MANNY OR YOU'RE GONNA DIE!
7

B Story

Scene 15 / Page 3 / 30% target

70%

Ray’s hope for help at Mary Ann’s house turns to emptiness, introducing the parallel story of loss and reunion.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 21-22 / Pages 5-6 / 40% target

80%

The family’s road journey tests Ray’s decisions under pressure and shows the chaos of a collapsing society.

Why the hell aren't we on the turnpike?
9

Midpoint

Scene 25 / Page 7 / 50% target

90%

The ferry attack capsizes the ship and throws the family into the water—a dramatic reversal with high stakes.

SHERYL?!?!? SHERYL!!!!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 27 / Page 8 / 65% target

85%

Robbie rushes toward the army under robot assault, and Ray’s fear of losing his son intensifies the external threat.

Robbie. We got to stay together Robbie.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 29 / Page 9 / 75% target

88%

Harland’s breakdown and hostility culminate in a life‐and‐death confrontation, leaving Ray isolated and defeated.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 31 / Page 10 / 80% target

85%

A robot camera’s discovery traps Ray and Rachel, pushing him to his lowest emotional point before he acts.

13

Break into Three

Scene 32 / Page 10 / 85% target

90%

Ray’s desperate use of grenades to free them represents the decisive shift into the final act and renewed hope.

We got him! Keep pulling! Pull me!
14

Finale

Scenes 33-34 / Page 11 / 95% target

85%

Ray and Rachel witness the dying tripods and join the human counterattack, culminating in the family’s reunion with Mary Ann.

I don't know, something's happening to them. Please keep moving.
15

Final Image

Scene 35 / Page 12 / 99% target

95%

The narrator reveals the aliens were defeated by Earth bacteria, underlining the theme of unexpected resilience.

From the moment the invaders arrived, breathed our air, ate and drank, they were doomed. They were undone,...