Understanding the “Save the Cat!” Story Beat Sheet: Breaking Down Alien Step-by-Step

Nov 13, 2024

The Save the Cat! story beat sheet is a storytelling template created by screenwriter Blake Snyder to help writers craft compelling, well-structured stories. This method breaks down a story into 15 beats or pivotal moments, giving writers a framework for building tension, character growth, and emotional engagement.

Today, we’ll look at how the Save the Cat! beats can shape a story by analyzing the plot of Alien (1979). We’ll go beat by beat, explaining how each one works and relating it to moments from this classic sci-fi horror film.


What Is the Save the Cat! Story Beat Sheet?

The Save the Cat! beat sheet organizes a story into 15 key moments. These are meant to help writers structure the plot in a way that keeps audiences interested and invested in the characters. Here’s a brief breakdown of the beats, followed by a deeper dive using Alien as our example.

  1. Opening Image
  2. Theme Stated
  3. Set-Up
  4. Catalyst
  5. Debate
  6. Break into Two
  7. B Story
  8. Fun and Games
  9. Midpoint
  10. Bad Guys Close In
  11. All Is Lost
  12. Dark Night of the Soul
  13. Break into Three
  14. Finale
  15. Final Image

These beats aren’t just for movies! They’re used in novels, TV shows, and more, providing a flexible template that helps create well-rounded stories.


Alien and the Save the Cat! Story Beat Sheet

Let’s see how Alien aligns with these beats, exploring why each moment is important in creating a suspenseful, intense journey.


1. Opening Image

Alien opens with the quiet, eerie view of the spaceship Nostromo drifting through space. This sets the mood and tone, showing us the cold, isolated, and vast world where the story will unfold. The crew is in a deep sleep, which establishes a calm, almost serene vibe before everything goes wrong.

2. Theme Stated

The theme in Alien revolves around survival against a deadly, unknown force. Early on, the idea of facing the unknown is hinted at as the crew discusses their mission and the mystery of the distress signal. In Save the Cat! terms, the “Theme Stated” moment is a small hint to the audience about what the characters will be up against.

3. Set-Up

In this beat, we meet the crew of the Nostromo and learn about their personalities and relationships. They’re not military heroes or scientists but “space truckers”—everyday people who just want to finish their job and get home. This grounding makes the story relatable and adds to the horror later because they’re just like us, thrown into terrifying circumstances.

4. Catalyst

The Catalyst in Alien is when the crew receives a mysterious distress signal from a nearby planet. This is the event that disrupts the ordinary world and sends them toward danger. The Nostromo’s captain, Dallas, decides they have to investigate, which is the first step on their horrifying journey.

5. Debate

This is where characters typically weigh the pros and cons of continuing on their path. In Alien, the crew debates whether to explore the planet’s surface and respond to the distress signal. Some of them are hesitant, but they ultimately go forward, setting up the tension and unease about what they’re getting into.

6. Break into Two

The crew officially “breaks into Act Two” as they touch down on the alien planet and begin exploring. This beat represents the moment they leave their ordinary world and enter the unknown. The tension increases as they discover strange structures and ultimately come across the alien eggs.

7. B Story

The B Story often focuses on relationships or a subplot, sometimes introducing a more personal, emotional element. In Alien, we get hints of the crew’s interpersonal dynamics and their growing distrust, especially once things start going wrong. The B Story here is their teamwork and how it’s tested by the stress and horror they face.

8. Fun and Games

This beat shows the “promise of the premise,” where we see the story’s main concept in action. In Alien, this is the sequence where the facehugger latches onto Kane, the crew tries to remove it, and they face more questions and dangers. The horror begins to unfold, and we start seeing the “alien threat” fully in action.

9. Midpoint

The Midpoint is a major turning point that raises the stakes. In Alien, this is the infamous chestburster scene where the alien violently emerges from Kane. It’s a shocking, terrifying moment that changes the story’s tone completely, making it clear the crew is now in a fight for survival against an unstoppable predator.

10. Bad Guys Close In

As the alien creature grows and becomes a bigger threat, things start going wrong for the crew. They realize it’s hunting them, and tension builds as they try and fail to kill it. This beat is all about the crew’s mounting fears and the intensifying power of the alien.

11. All Is Lost

This is the lowest point for the protagonist. In Alien, things seem hopeless when more crew members die, and Ripley discovers the company’s order to prioritize the alien over their lives. It feels as though they’re all doomed, and morale is at its lowest.

12. Dark Night of the Soul

After the All Is Lost moment, Ripley has to confront her fear and loss. She’s left alone, uncertain if she’ll survive or escape the alien, and forced to come to terms with her isolation and the ruthless betrayal by the company.

13. Break into Three

With renewed determination, Ripley makes a final plan to survive and destroy the alien. This is the turning point where she shifts from defense to offense, taking matters into her own hands as she prepares to face the alien one last time.

14. Finale

The Finale is the story’s climax, where the main conflict is resolved. Ripley confronts the alien in an intense final showdown, ultimately ejecting it into space and securing her own survival. This beat gives audiences a satisfying conclusion as she overcomes the horror.

15. Final Image

The Final Image mirrors the Opening Image but shows the change that has taken place. The film ends with Ripley in the escape pod, exhausted but alive, symbolizing her resilience and survival. She’s experienced trauma but has emerged as a stronger character.


Why Save the Cat! Works So Well for Alien

The Save the Cat! beat sheet gives us a strong framework for telling a story that feels satisfying and emotionally resonant. With each beat, Alien builds suspense, reveals character, and raises the stakes, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.

Save the Cat! works well because it allows writers to pace a story effectively, balancing moments of action, tension, and emotion. While some stories may use these beats loosely, the structure helps keep the plot engaging, giving characters the space to grow and making the stakes feel real.

So next time you’re watching a movie or writing your own story, think about the beats in Save the Cat! to see how they can enhance the storytelling journey!