Save the Cat rankings

ZERO DARK THIRTY script analysis

ZERO DARK THIRTY script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

ZERO DARK THIRTY follows CIA analyst Maya’s relentless pursuit of Bin Laden’s courier over many years, culminating in the Abbottabad raid. The film opens in a brutal interrogation site, introduces Maya’s obsessive quest, hits low points with operational failures, and builds to the final SEAL assault. Through setbacks and moral ambiguities, Maya’s steadfast focus drives the story to its emotional close.

70 Save the Cat fit score 38% analysis confidence / 94 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

50%

Introduces the film’s tone and Maya’s world through a violent interrogation.

I own you, Ammar. You belong to me. Look at me.
2

Theme Stated

Scene 5 / Page 1 / 5% target

40%

Bradley tells Maya “It’s kinda fucked up,” hinting at moral costs of the hunt.

It's kinda fucked up.
3

Set-Up

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

45%

Establishes Maya’s role, her mentor Daniel, and the initial interrogation methods and intelligence briefings.

4

Catalyst

Scene 15 / Page 11 / 12% target

35%

The London bus bombing raises stakes, showing Al Qaeda’s reach and urgency to find the courier.

5

Debate

Scenes 16-23 / Pages 12-30 / 20% target

42%

Maya and team argue over leads, tactics fail, culminating in Camp Chapman bombing that shakes everyone’s confidence.

6

Break into Two

Scene 24 / Page 31 / 25% target

40%

The dinner interrupted by a bombing signals the shift into Maya’s solo obsession and deeper fieldwork.

Look, I know Abu Ahmed is your baby, but it's time to cut the umbilical cord.
7

B Story

Scene 30 / Page 40 / 30% target

36%

Maya’s relationship with Jessica and team camaraderie deepens as she juggles personal/operational demands.

This may be going overboard, but I baked him a cake!
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 31-34 / Pages 41-45 / 40% target

38%

Rehearsals with Balawi and security prep build procedural intrigue before the tragic compound bombing.

Not to get technical, but this guy is actually the first big break we've had since 9/11. To...
9

Midpoint

Scene 36 / Page 50 / 50% target

40%

Jeremy tells Maya the courier is dead, a false defeat that propels her dogged pursuit.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 37-40 / Pages 51-55 / 65% target

42%

Maya vows revenge, faces internal conflict and skepticism from superiors over the Sayeed lead.

I'm going to smoke everybody involved in this op, and then I'm going to kill bin Laden.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 34 / Page 45 / 75% target

44%

The Camp Chapman suicide vest massacre represents the darkest moment and operational failure.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 38 / Page 60 / 80% target

40%

George Wright’s berating ramps Maya’s self-doubt and sense of institutional failure.

I want to make something absolutely clear. If you thought there was some secret cell somewhere working Al...
13

Break into Three

Scene 73 / Page 85 / 85% target

45%

Maya convinces leadership she found the compound, shifting into action for the raid.

I'm the motherfucker that found this place, Sir.
14

Finale

Scenes 86-92 / Pages 90-95 / 95% target

48%

The SEAL assault sequence, crash aftermath, and body confirmation deliver the climactic mission resolution.

Sir, the agency expert gave a visual confirmation. Yes, Sir, the girl. Hundred percent.
15

Final Image

Scene 94 / Page 96 / 99% target

50%

Maya alone on the empty plane emotionally reflects on the cost and her achievement.

You can sit wherever you want, you're the only one on the manifest.