Save the Cat rankings

White House Down script analysis

White House Down script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

John Cale and his daughter Emily visit the White House just as a coup unfolds. Caught in the chaos, Cale must protect the President and rescue his daughter. Betrayal within the Secret Service raises the stakes until Cale confronts the mastermind and restores order.

70 Save the Cat fit score 72% analysis confidence / 56 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

65%

Introduces Emily peacefully watching news, establishing normal before the threat.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 6 / Page 5 / 5% target

75%

Speaker Raphelson notes geopolitics is “chess, not checkers,” foreshadowing manipulation of power.

Geopolitics is chess, not checkers; you have to see the whole board. The President is very naive sometimes.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-10 / 10% target

68%

Establishes Cale’s bond with Emily, his Secret Service ambitions, and the President’s routine arrival.

4

Catalyst

Scene 11 / Page 12 / 12% target

80%

White House tour is attacked, igniting the central conflict.

My daughter's upstairs
5

Debate

Scene 9 / Page 10 / 20% target

70%

Cale is turned down by the Secret Service, questioning his path before chaos hits.

I'm sorry, but the Secret Service is not somewhere to find yourself. Thanks for coming in.
6

Break into Two

Scene 12 / Page 12 / 25% target

78%

The attack escalates in the Presidential Theater, forcing Cale to leap into action.

7

B Story

Scene 7 / Page 8 / 30% target

65%

The drive to the White House reinforces Cale’s relationship with Emily as his emotional anchor.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 13-21 / Pages 13-40 / 40% target

60%

Cale battles mercenaries, protects the President, and navigates White House corridors in action set pieces.

9

Midpoint

Scene 28 / Page 50 / 50% target

82%

Bishop betrays his team, raising stakes as Cale intervenes to save the President.

Open the goddamn door, Commander!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 38 / Page 65 / 65% target

77%

Emily is captured, intensifying personal stakes and pressure on Cale.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 50 / Page 75 / 75% target

70%

On the roof, a missile destroys the last Blackhawk, leaving Cale isolated.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 53 / Page 80 / 80% target

68%

After defeat in the greenhouse, Cale plummets, symbolizing lowest point.

13

Break into Three

Scene 55 / Page 85 / 85% target

85%

Cale confronts Raphelson with President Sawyer alive, pivoting to final plan.

Do me a favor and don't deny it.
14

Finale

Scenes 55-56 / Pages 85-95 / 95% target

75%

Cale exposes the coup, rescues hosts, and thwarts the plot in a showdown and cleanup.

15

Final Image

Scene 56 / Page 99 / 99% target

70%

Cale, Emily, and Finnerty walk away under recovery of the city, showing restored peace.