SCENES

# PG SLUGLINE

1 INT. DERELICT HOUSE – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 1 A POLAROID PHOTOGRAPH, clasped between finger and thumb: a crude, crime scene flash picture of a MAN’S BODY lying on a decaying wooden floor, a BLOODY MESS where his head should be.

4 INT. DERELICT BUILDING — DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 4 Leonard stands in the dimly-lit, decaying former hallway. He pulls a stack of POLAROID PHOTOGRAPHS out of his pocket and leafs through them as Teddy starts walking towards him. Leonard finds a photo showing Teddy with a shit-eating grin

5 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 – DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 5 Leonard lies on the queen-sized bed. He lifts his head. LEONARD (V.O.) So you’re in some motel room... He gets up, surveys the room as if for the first time. He

14 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 – DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 14 Leonard, in boxer shorts and plaid work shirt, rips the note from his thigh. The note says “SHAVE”. 15 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 BATHROOM – DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE 15 SEQUENCE##

22 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 – DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 22 Leonard, in his boxers and plaid work shirt, shaving foam on thigh, drops his disposable razor and cautiously picks up the RINGING PHONE. (CONTINUED)

25 INT. LEONARD’S APARTMENT – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 25 Random images of a woman (30’s, black hair, plain). Jump cuts of details: a smile, eating, tucking her hair behind her ear, pulling on a pair of trousers, watching TV, shouting in anger. Sitting on the edge of the bed in her underwear, she

35 EXT. ROAD – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 35 The Jaguar speeds along. 36 EXT. THE CITY GRILL ON MAIN STREET – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 36 Leonard checks the restaurant name against the note. He gets out his Polaroids, FLIPPING through them until he finds the

41 INT. JANKIS HOUSE FRONT HALL - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE 41 SEQUENCE## Mrs. Jankis opens the front door to Leonard. Leonard shakes hands with Sammy, who smiles at him in apparent recognition. LEONARD (V.0.)

45 EXT. DISCOUNT INN - DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 45 The Jaguar pulls up. Leonard gets out and heads to the office. 46 INT. DISCOUNT INN OFFICE - DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 46 Leonard enters. Burt is behind the counter reading a

51 EXT. MAIN STREET — DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 51 The Jaguar pulls up to a red light. Suddenly Teddy is banging on the window. TEDDY Lenny! I thought you’d gone for good.

58 INT. NATALIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 58 Natalie, eyes closed, has her head on Leonard’s chest. He is shirtless, lying on top of the covers. (CONTINUED) MEMENTO Pink Revisions - 9/7/99

65 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 65 Leonard, talking on the phone, empties the white paper bag onto the bed beside him: Two cheap BALL-POINT PENS, SCOTCH TAPE, a pack of NEEDLES, and a FILE CARD. (CONTINUED)

68 INT./EXT. DODD’S MOTEL – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 68 INSERT LEONARD’S P.O.V.: A FISH-EYE TEDDY, grinning and waving. 69 INT. DODD’S MOTEL – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 69 Leonard looks around, trying to think. Teddy KNOCKS harder.

70 EXT. DODD’S MOTEL – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 70 Teddy exits the room, glances around, motions for Leonard and Dodd to follow. Dodd is cleaned up and unbound, Leonard is pressed up right behind him. The three of them descend to the parking lot.

75 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 75 Leonard (boxers, bandaged arm) talks on the phone as he takes a NEEDLE and tapes it to the BALL-POINT PEN. (CONTINUED) MEMENTO Pink Revisions - 9/7/99

78 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 78 Leonard (boxers, bandaged arm) crooks his neck to hold the * phone. In his hands is the PEN with the NEEDLE taped to it. Leonard wiggles the needle, then applies more tape. CUT TO:

88 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 – DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 88 Leonard looks at the INK-COVERED NEEDLE. Leonard consults the FILE CARD. It has a HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE: “TATTOO: ACCESS TO DRUGS” CUT TO:

101 INT. LEONARD’S APARTMENT BATHROOM – NIGHT <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>>101 TREMBLING, SHALLOW-FOCUS EXTREME CLOSE UPS: A glass bottle SHATTERS against a tiled floor, bath salts and glass spreading out over the black and white tiles. 102 INT. MOTEL ROOM 304 – NIGHT <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 102

111 EXT. DISCOUNT INN - DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 111 Leonard pulls up in the Jaguar, checks the name against a NOTE written on a BEER MAT, and heads into the office. Leonard comes out of the office, gets a sports bag from the Jaguar, then takes a Polaroid of the entrance and heads for

113 INT. DISCOUNT INN ROOM 304 - NIGHT <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 113 The lights are off. The Blonde and Leonard are lying side by side in bed. The Blonde checks to see that Leonard is asleep, then slips out of bed. She grabs her purse then opens the bathroom door.

116 EXT. DISCOUNT INN - DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 116 Leonard pulls up in his Jaguar, checks the name of the motel against the note written on the BEER MAT, then heads into the office to check in. Leonard comes out of the office, takes a Polaroid of the

119 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 119 LEONARD She seemed to leave happy. I thought I’d helped her. Leonard puts the NEEDLE/PEN down, and wipes blood from his new,

121 EXT. NATALIE’S HOUSE - DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 121 The Jaguar’s CAR ALARM is sounding. Leonard exits Natalie’s house, walks to his Jaguar and gets in, silencing the alarm. TEDDY (O.S.)

124 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY <<BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE>> 124 Leonard lies on the bed, in jeans, topless. He reaches for the ringing phone with his left arm. As his hand reaches the receiver Leonard reads the tattoo on his arm which says: * “NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE”

127 INT. LEONARD’S APARTMENT BEDROOM - NIGHT <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 127 Leonard opens his eyes. He slides his hand over to the empty space on the bed beside him, feeling the sheet. LEONARD (V.0.) Her side of the bed was cold. She’d been *

131 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 – DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 131 * There is a KNOCK at the door. Leonard PULLS ON HIS LONG- SLEEVED PLAID WORK SHIRT, goes to the door and opens it. Burt is standing there. BURT

137 INT. JAGUAR PARKED IN FERDY’S BAR PARKING LOT - DAY <<COLOUR 137* SEQUENCE>> Leonard sits, studying his Polaroids. A metallic howl makes * him glance up and he sees the lid of a dumpster BANG SHUT. He * puts his Polaroids in his pocket and examines the beer mat *

140 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 140 Leonard, holding the Polaroid of himself, stares at the ringing * phone. He picks up the receiver. * LEONARD * (anxious) *

C140 INT. MOTEL ROOM 21 - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## C140 Leonard talks on the phone, worried. * LEONARD * No, Officer, but with my condition, you * don’t know anything... you feel angry, *

143 INT. CROWDED DAY ROOM OF A NURSING HOME - DAY ##BLACK AND 143 WHITE SEQUENCE## Sammy sits watching other patients and nursing staff pass by. (LEONARD TO SUBSTITUTE) He looks at each one with a fresh look of expectant recognition.

149 INT.CURTAINED CUBICLE - TATTOO PARLOR - DAY - MOMENTS LATER 149 <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> The buzzing of the tattoo needle stops. Leonard looks down at his thigh. It says: “FACT 6. CAR LICENSE: SG13 7IU”

151 INT. CURTAINED CUBICLE - TATTOO PARLOR - DAY - CONTINUOUS 151 <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> Leonard drops the plastic bag and takes his jacket off. He feels something in the pocket, sticks his hand in and pulls * out a charred Polaroid photograph. *

154 EXT. DISCOUNT INN - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 154 Leonard exits and heads to the Motel office. 155 INT. DISCOUNT INN OFFICE - DAY ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 155 The BELL CHIMES as Leonard enters. Burt is behind the counter. A MAN stands by the free coffee. The Man TURNS *

162 INT. LEONARD’S APARTMENT BATHROOM – NIGHT ##BLACK AND WHITE 162 SEQUENCE## Leonard’s wife, head wrapped in a water-beaded clear plastic shower curtain, THRASHING around, GASPING for breath. 163 INT. DERELICT BUILDING – DAY - ##BLACK AND WHITE SEQUENCE## 163

174 INT. DERELICT BUILDING — DAY - CONTINUOUS <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>>174 Leonard pushes Teddy out of the basement. TEDDY I think you’ve got the wrong idea - Leonard GRABS Teddy.

175 INT. LEONARD’S APARTMENT - DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 175 Leonard’s Wife sitting on the edge of the bed. She feels a sharp pain, and turns to Leonard (just as we have seen before). LEONARD’S WIFE

179 EXT. DERELICT BUILDING - DAY - CONTINUOUS <<COLOUR SEOUENCE>>179 Leonard, in BEIGE SUIT and BLUE SHIRT, comes out into the daylight, THROWS Teddy’s CAR KEYS into some bushes then heads to his PICKUP TRUCK and climbs in. Teddy goes to look for his keys in the bushes.

181 INT. JAGUAR – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 181 Leonard starts the engine. Through the rear-view mirror, Leonard stares at Teddy’s retreating form. Thinking. Leonard PULLS OUT onto the road. 182 INT./EXT. THE ROAD BACK INTO TOWN – DAY <<COLOUR SEQUENCE>> 182

The toothbrush has already been treated to a smudge of white paste. The tap is of the push-button variety—a dose of water with each nudge. Earl pushes the brush into his cheek and fiddles it back and forth while he opens the medicine cabinet. The shelves are stocked with single-serving packages of vitamins, aspirin, antidiuretics. The mouthwash is also

You know I'm right. You know there's a lot of work to do. It may seem impossible, but I'm sure if we all do our part, we'll figure something out. But you don't have much time. You've only got about ten minutes, in fact. Then it starts all over again. So do something with the time you've got.

The noise and the pain are both coming from a gun in the man's hand—a gun with a needle where the barrel should be. The needle is digging into the fleshy underside of Earl's forearm, leaving a trail of puffy letters behind it. Earl tries to rearrange himself to get a better view, to read the

Everybody is waiting for the end to come, but what if it already passed us by? What if the final joke of Judgment Day was that it had already come and gone and we were none the wiser? Apocalypse arrives quietly; the chosen are herded off to heaven, and the rest of us, the ones who failed the test, just keep on going, oblivious. Dead already,

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Memento

A man with short-term memory loss uses tattoos and notes to hunt for his wife's killer, but his fragmented memories and unreliable allies lead him down a dark and twisted path.

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Overview

Unique Selling Point

Delve into a captivating cinematic experience that unravels the enigmatic world of "Amnesia," where the boundaries of memory, identity, and morality blur. Witness an immersive journey through fragmented narratives, cryptic clues, and unsettling encounters as you accompany Leonard, a man haunted by amnesia, on his relentless pursuit of truth amidst a web of deception. Join this unconventional thriller as it explores the profound depths of the human psyche, questioning what is real and what is fabricated, leaving you captivated and grappling with its lingering echoes long after the credits roll.

AI Verdict & Suggestions

Ratings are subjective. So you get different engines' ratings to compare.

Hover over verdict cards for Executive Summaries

Gemini
Recommend

GPT4
Recommend

Note: As Neil Gaiman says, “People are usually right about what's wrong, and usually wrong about how to fix it.” Consider the suggestions in this analysis as potential catalysts: adopt what strengthens your vision, and let the rest deepen your understanding of what the story wants to become.

See Details in P/C/R/HR Section

Story Facts

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Drama, Crime, Action

Setting: Present, Various locations, including a motel, a tattoo parlor, and an abandoned building.

Themes: Memory and Identity, Violence and Revenge, Love and Loss, Trust and Betrayal

Conflict & Stakes: Leonard's struggle to find the man who killed his wife, while dealing with his anterograde amnesia and questioning his reality and relationships.

Mood: Dark, suspenseful, and introspective.

Standout Features:

Unique Hook: Anterograde amnesia as a central plot device.
Plot Twist: The revelation that Leonard is the one who killed his wife.
Unique Characters: Leonard Shelby, a complex and unreliable protagonist with a unique perspective on the world.
Genre Blend: Neo-noir, psychological thriller, and character study.

Comparable Scripts: Memento, The Bourne Identity, Identity, The Following, The Killing, Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, True Detective, The Wire, Breaking Bad

Script Level Analysis

Writer Exec

This section delivers a top-level assessment of the screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses — covering overall quality (P/C/R/HR), character development, emotional impact, thematic depth, narrative inconsistencies, and the story’s core philosophical conflict. It helps identify what’s resonating, what needs refinement, and how the script aligns with professional standards.

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Overall Score: 8.35

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Story Critique

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Characters

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Emotional Analysis

Breaks down the emotional journey of the audience across the script.

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Goals and Philosophical Conflict

Evaluates character motivations, obstacles, and sources of tension throughout the plot.

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Themes

Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.

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Logic & Inconsistencies

Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.

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Scene Analysis

All of your scenes analyzed individually and compared, so you can zero in on what to improve.

Scene-Level Percentile Chart

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The screenplay excels in originality and conflict level, but opportunities lie in enhancing character development and refining the pacing. The intuitive writing style could be balanced with more conceptual elements to elevate the screenplay's overall impact.

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Key Strengths

**Originality:** The screenplay exhibits remarkable originality, ranking in the 92nd percentile. This suggests that the story concept and execution are fresh and captivating, potentially setting it apart from other screenplays.
**Conflict Level:** With a high percentile ranking of 89%, the screenplay demonstrates strong conflict development. This indicates the presence of compelling obstacles and challenges that drive the plot and create tension for the characters.

Areas for Improvement

**Character Development:** The screenplay's character development lags behind other elements, ranking in the 22nd percentile. Exploring character motivations, backstories, and relationships in more depth could enhance audience connection and emotional investment.
**Pacing:** The pacing of the screenplay, ranked in the 17th percentile, suggests that it may benefit from refinement. Adjusting the rhythm and flow of the story, while maintaining a balance between exposition and action, could enhance the overall engagement.

Writer Style

The percentile patterns indicate a potential for a more intuitive writing style. The higher rankings in dialogue and character development suggest a focus on creating believable and relatable characters, while the lower rankings in concept and plot imply a preference for exploring themes and emotions rather than intricate plot structures.

Balancing Elements

To enhance the screenplay's overall impact, the writer could consider balancing the originality with stronger character development. By exploring the characters' motivations and backstories, the originality of the concept can be further emphasized and emotionally connected to the audience.
Balancing the high conflict level with a well-paced narrative is crucial. Refining the pacing to create a more engaging rhythm, while maintaining the intensity of the conflict, could elevate the screenplay's overall effectiveness.

Intuition Level

The screenplay leans towards an intuitive writing style, prioritizing character and dialogue development over complex plot structures. However, integrating more conceptual elements, such as a stronger central conflict or a well-defined plot structure, could enhance the screenplay's overall appeal.

Overall Assessment

The screenplay exhibits strong potential with its originality and conflict development. By addressing the areas for improvement, particularly character development and pacing, the writer has the opportunity to craft a captivating and well-rounded story that resonates with audiences.

How this was done: Each criteria is ranked in comparison to scripts in our Vault (such as The Matrix, Breaking Bad, etc.) This allows you to see where you stand compared to other produced scripts for each criteria.

How scenes compare to the Scripts in our Library

Note: The ratings are the averages of all the scenes.

Title	Grade	Percentile	Before	After
Scene Overall	8.4	44	fight Club : 8.3	Casablanca : 8.5
Scene Concept	8.3	66	face/off : 8.2	fight Club : 8.4
Scene Plot	8.2	62	Breaking Bad : 8.1	the boys (TV) : 8.3
Scene Characters	8.0	15	severance (TV) : 7.9	the pursuit of happyness : 8.1
Scene Emotional Impact	8.0	50	fight Club : 7.9	Erin Brokovich : 8.1
Scene Conflict Level	8.6	91	Rambo : 8.5	the dark knight rises : 8.7
Scene Dialogue	7.8	38	Erin Brokovich : 7.7	glass Onion Knives Out : 7.9
Scene Story Forward	8.6	80	Casablanca : 8.5	Rambo : 8.7
Scene Character Changes	7.3	55	Erin Brokovich : 7.2	Terminator 2 : 7.4
Scene High Stakes	8.3	75	Titanic : 8.2	the 5th element : 8.4
Scene Unpredictability	8.08	97	Being John Malkovich : 8.06	Jack Reacher : 8.09
Scene Internal Goal	8.12	69	Mr. Smith goes to Washington : 8.11	Her : 8.13
Scene External Goal	7.30	58	Gran Torino : 7.29	Being John Malkovich : 7.31
Scene Originality	8.95	92	Labyrinth : 8.93	2001 : 8.96
Scene Engagement	8.98	63	Titanic : 8.97	Vice : 8.99
Scene Pacing	8.15	26	Arsenic and old lace : 8.14	groundhog day : 8.16
Scene Formatting	8.12	42	Mr. Smith goes to Washington : 8.11	Erin Brokovich : 8.13
Script Structure	8.13	50	Good Will Hunting : 8.12	the pursuit of happyness : 8.14
Script Characters	8.70	93	Spy kids : 8.60	Terminator 2 : 8.80
Script Premise	8.80	88	the black list (TV) : 8.70	Titanic : 8.90
Script Structure	7.00	3	A Quiet Place : 6.90	Boyz n the hood : 7.10
Script Theme	8.30	61	groundhog day : 8.20	Titanic : 8.40
Script Visual Impact	8.60	94	groundhog day : 8.50	Mr. Smith goes to Washington : 8.70
Script Emotional Impact	8.00	61	the dark knight rises : 7.90	the black list (TV) : 8.10
Script Conflict	8.30	91	the dark knight rises : 8.20	Scott pilgrim vs. the world : 8.40
Script Originality	8.50	80	Casablanca : 8.40	the black list (TV) : 8.60
Overall Script	8.35	80	the black list (TV) : 8.30	groundhog day : 8.37

Other Analyses

Writer Exec

This section looks at the extra spark — your story’s voice, style, world, and the moments that really stick. These insights might not change the bones of the script, but they can make it more original, more immersive, and way more memorable. It’s where things get fun, weird, and wonderfully you.

Unique Voice

Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.

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Writer's Craft

Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.

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Memorable Lines

Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.

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Tropes

Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.

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World Building

Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.

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Correlations

Identifies patterns in scene scores.

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Loglines

Presents logline variations based on theme, genre, and hook.

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Unique Voice

Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.

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Writer's Craft

Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.

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Memorable Lines

Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.

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Tropes

Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.

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World Building

Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.

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Correlations

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Loglines

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Script•o•Scope

Pass / Consider / Recommend Analysis

Gemini

Executive Summary

Memento is a highly original and thought-provoking screenplay with a complex protagonist, a compelling narrative structure, and a unique exploration of memory and identity. While the film's non-linear structure and unreliable narrator may pose challenges for some viewers, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a highly recommendable project.

Strengths

The screenplay masterfully employs a non-linear narrative structure, weaving between color and black-and-white sequences to create a sense of disorientation and intrigue, mirroring Leonard's condition. high ( Scene 1 Scene 2 Scene 3 )
Leonard's character is deeply complex and engaging. His struggle with memory loss and his relentless pursuit of revenge make him a compelling protagonist. high ( Scene 10 Scene 21 Scene 22 )
The screenplay's exploration of memory, perception, and the nature of truth is thought-provoking and adds depth to the overall narrative. high
The dialogue is sharp, witty, and often darkly humorous, perfectly capturing the characters' personalities and the film's noir-ish tone. medium ( Scene 6 Scene 13 Scene 24 )
The pacing of the screenplay is excellent, keeping the audience constantly engaged and on edge with its twists and turns. high ( Scene 4 Scene 14 Scene 28 )

Areas of Improvement

The screenplay's reliance on Leonard's unreliable narration could potentially leave some viewers feeling confused or frustrated, particularly on the first viewing. medium
The supporting characters, while intriguing, could benefit from further development and exploration, especially Natalie and Teddy. medium
The repeated scenes of Leonard forgetting and rediscovering information can feel somewhat repetitive at times, potentially slowing down the momentum. low ( Scene 17 Scene 27 )

Missing Elements

A deeper exploration of Leonard's past and his relationship with his wife could provide additional context and emotional resonance. low
More information about the world and the rules governing Leonard's condition could further enhance the film's internal consistency. low

Notable Points

The Sammy Jankis subplot serves as a powerful parallel to Leonard's story, raising questions about the nature of memory and self-deception. high ( Scene 40 Scene 64 Scene 142 )
The use of tattoos as a memory aid is a unique and visually striking element that reinforces the film's themes of identity and self-reliance. high ( Scene 18 Scene 21 )
The screenplay's open ending leaves room for interpretation and discussion, encouraging viewers to actively engage with the story and its themes. high

GPT4

Executive Summary

The screenplay 'Memento' offers a unique and engaging narrative through its reverse chronological order and complex character development. It stands out due to its innovative storytelling technique and the profound exploration of themes such as memory, identity, and truth. While there are areas for improvement in pacing and character motivation, the screenplay's strengths in creating a compelling mystery and emotional depth make it a recommendable project for production.

Strengths

The opening sequence effectively sets a gripping tone and immediately engages the audience with its reverse chronology. high ( Scene 1 )
The character development of Leonard is profound, showing his complexity and the impact of his condition on his life. high ( Scene 5 )
The screenplay uses a unique narrative structure that enhances the mystery and engages the audience to piece together the story. high ( Scene 10 )
The dialogue is sharp and memorable, contributing to character development and the overall narrative. medium ( Scene 14 )
The climax is well-crafted, providing a satisfying and thought-provoking resolution to the story. high ( Scene 22 )

Areas of Improvement

Some scenes may benefit from a slower pace to allow deeper emotional connection and character reflection. medium ( Scene 8 )
The motivations of secondary characters could be clearer to enhance their roles and interactions with the protagonist. medium ( Scene 12 )
Certain plot points could be introduced earlier to avoid confusion and improve narrative flow. medium ( Scene 18 )
The use of color and black-and-white sequences is innovative but may require more visual cues to aid audience understanding. low ( Scene 20 )
Enhancing the emotional depth of some scenes could strengthen the impact of the story's themes on the audience. medium ( Scene 25 )

Missing Elements

The backstory of some characters is missing, which could provide more depth and motivation for their actions. medium
There is a lack of strong female characters with significant impact on the plot, which could be addressed to broaden appeal. medium
More detailed settings descriptions could enhance the visual imagery and atmosphere of the film. low
Inclusion of subtle foreshadowing elements could enrich the storytelling and audience engagement. medium
Exploring the psychological impact of Leonard's condition in more depth could add another layer to the narrative. medium

Notable Points

The screenplay's approach to storytelling through a non-linear narrative is innovative and distinguishes it from typical films in its genre. high
The theme of memory and identity is explored in a unique and compelling way, resonating with universal human experiences. high
The screenplay effectively uses suspense and mystery to keep the audience engaged throughout the film. high
The character of Leonard is well-developed, with a clear arc that offers both challenges and growth. high
The final twist provides a powerful conclusion that redefines the entire narrative, encouraging viewers to rethink what they have watched. high

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Summary

High-level overview

In this feature screenplay, the main character Leonard, an amnesiac with a thirst for revenge, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind his wife's murder. Fueled by cryptic messages and tattoos, Leonard encounters a series of mysterious and suspicious characters, including Teddy and Natalie, who may hold the key to unlocking his past. As Leonard grapples with memory loss and deception, he navigates a web of lies, betrayal, and self-discovery in his relentless pursuit of justice. The story culminates in a shocking revelation that forces Leonard to question his own reality and confront the darkness within himself.

Scene by Scene Summaries

Leonard, covered in blood, photographs the corpse of Teddy. Later, they find a truck with bullets inside outside an abandoned building and decide to investigate.
In the derelict hallway of a decaying building, Leonard confronts Teddy. Driven by a thirst for revenge, Leonard pistol-whips Teddy and threatens him with a gun. Teddy desperately tries to reason with Leonard, claiming ignorance of his true identity. As the tension escalates, Leonard places the gun in Teddy's mouth, leaving the scene on a chilling note.
Leonard, an amnesiac, awakens in a motel room and encounters Teddy, a dubious character. Teddy claims knowledge of Leonard's wife's killer's whereabouts, but Leonard's skepticism leads him to write a self-reminder to eliminate Teddy.
In a motel room, Leonard discovers tattoos on his body with cryptic messages, linking him to a man named John Edward Gammell. Realizing Gammell is the same man as Teddy, Leonard writes 'Kill him' on a photo of Teddy and prepares to take action.
In a motel room, Leonard, a man with short-term memory loss, prepares to meet Natalie at a restaurant. Leonard confides in Natalie about his condition, emphasizing the importance of routine. They discuss John G., a man connected to Leonard's past. Natalie questions Leonard's pursuit of revenge, highlighting his memory limitations. Despite this, Leonard remains resolute in his quest, even though he knows his memory will erase it. The scene culminates with Leonard closing his eyes, triggering a flashback.
Leonard encounters Natalie, who provides him with an address and key to an abandoned meeting place, hinting at their shared past as survivors. He discovers cryptic messages on his hand and wrists, adding to his confusion. Calling Sammy, Leonard struggles to recall their connection. At the motel, Burt's mistake reveals Leonard's old room, triggering a confrontation over multiple room rentals.
Leonard arrives at the City Grill to meet Natalie, recalling the case of Sammy Jankis and his own anterograde amnesia. He chooses to ignore Natalie initially, but she grabs his jacket, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Leonard confronts Sammy Jankis, suspecting he's faking memory loss, but Sammy denies it. Leonard's acquaintance, Teddy, warns him against relying solely on memories. Leonard insists on finding John G., the man he believes stole his memories and killed his wife.
Leonard wakes up in Natalie's bed with no memory of how he got there. Natalie informs him of his investigation into a license plate and provides him with a note containing meeting details. As Leonard leaves, Natalie requests her shirt back, highlighting his confusion and the ongoing struggle he faces with his memory loss.
Leonard confronts Natalie, questioning her involvement in his search for John G. Despite her reassurances, Leonard's suspicions persist. Natalie reveals she may be able to assist, leaving Leonard with both hope and confusion.
Leonard wakes up in bed alone and realizes that his wife, Natalie, is gone and will never return. He goes into the living room and sees a photo of Natalie and his deceased friend, Jimmy. He writes on the back of the photo that Natalie will help him out of pity because she has also lost someone. Leonard then goes back to bed and lies down next to Natalie. He is struggling to cope with the loss of his wife and is looking for someone to help him. He believes that Natalie can help him because she has also lost someone, but it is unclear whether she can actually help him.
In a motel room, Leonard uncovers a mysterious bag of items, including a needle and handgun. The scene shifts to his apartment, where strange events unfold. Awakening in a different motel room, Leonard discovers a bound and gagged man in the closet, plunging him into a perplexing and unsettling situation.
Leonard confronts Teddy with the discovery of an unknown man, Dodd, hidden in the motel room closet. As they examine a Polaroid of Dodd bound and gagged, Leonard realizes it's Dodd's room. Together, they decide to clean up Dodd, untie him, and escort him out while keeping a gun close in case of trouble.
Array
Leonard is stressed and confused as he talks on the phone about memory under pressure. He attacks and ties up Dodd in a motel room, leaving him in a closet. Leonard struggles with what to do next, calling Teddy for help before lying down on the bed.
Leonard prepares a makeshift weapon and confronts Dodd at a motel. He tricks Dodd and escapes, leading him on a chase through a trailer park and alley.
Leonard burns personal items in a fire and is confronted by Dodd, who threatens him at gunpoint and demands to know how he got his car. Leonard remains calm and amused, but the conflict is not resolved.
Leonard discovers a blonde woman snorting cocaine in his bathroom. He is shaken and asks her to leave. He then packs his belongings, including a paperback book, hairbrush, alarm clock, and stuffed toy. Leonard realizes that pages are missing from the police report he has on the motel room murder and makes a note of it.
Leonard meticulously prepares his motel room, enlists an escort for assistance, and attempts to unravel the mystery of his wife's murder amid his memory loss.
Leonard wakes up alone in a motel room, unaware of how he got there. He receives conflicting information about Natalie, the woman he recently left, from Teddy, a man claiming to be his friend. Teddy warns Leonard against Natalie, but Leonard discovers a note on his picture of Natalie that contradicts Teddy's claims. Leonard is left alone in his car, questioning the truth and his own memories.
Leonard checks into the Discount Inn and reminisces about a conversation with Mrs. Jankis, the wife of a former patient with anterograde amnesia. Mrs. Jankis confided in Leonard about her suspicions that her husband was faking his condition. Leonard struggles with his own memory loss and contemplates his next move.
After getting a new tattoo, Leonard discovers a bandage on his arm and finds Natalie injured from being beaten by Dodd. Natalie blames Leonard, who decides to confront Dodd to resolve the situation.
In a tense confrontation outside Natalie's house, Leonard is startled by Teddy. After discovering a mysterious tattoo in a motel room, Leonard has an explosive conversation with Natalie about missing money and a man named Dodd. As accusations fly, Natalie bursts into her house, pleading with Leonard to kill Dodd. The scene climaxes in a physical altercation and ends with Natalie leaving in distress, leaving Leonard alone with a sense of unease.
Leonard, a man haunted by fragmented memories, visits Natalie's house with the hope of finding the killer who took his wife's life. Despite the police's disbelief in his claims, Leonard remains determined to uncover the truth. Natalie, intrigued but concerned, questions Leonard's methods and the lack of evidence. As Leonard delves into his file, the air thickens with suspense and uncertainty, leaving the fate of his quest hanging in the balance.
Leonard's morning takes a sinister turn as he discovers his missing wife, a masked attacker in his bathroom, and a concealed threat lurking behind him. Amidst confusion and disbelief from the police, Leonard seeks refuge with Natalie, recounting his ordeal and capturing a memory of their encounter.
Leonard receives a message from the front desk about a call from a cop, but declines due to his aversion to phone conversations. At Ferdy's Bar, the bartender observes his behavior and mentions a cop's comment about his condition. Leonard experiences a flashback of his wife's death after receiving a new drink. Back at his motel room, Leonard receives a Polaroid with a cryptic message, directing him to 'take the call.' The phone then rings, leaving Leonard in a state of uncertainty.
Leonard, a man with short-term memory loss, encounters Natalie at Ferdy's Bar. Natalie suspects Leonard's connection to her boyfriend Jimmy. Leonard reveals his condition and shows Natalie a beer mat from his pocket. Natalie becomes emotional upon seeing the beer mat.
Leonard, anxious and frightened, receives a phone call and fears he may have committed a wrongdoing. Despite his confusion, he drives away from a tattoo parlor and seeks solace at a bar.
Concerned about his condition, Leonard recounts Sammy's story. Sammy, with a mental illness, unknowingly overdosed his wife, Mrs. Jankis, with insulin injections, leading to her death. Suspecting he was faking his illness, Mrs. Jankis tested Sammy's love, setting off a tragic chain of events.
Leonard visits a tattoo parlor to get a new tattoo on his thigh. While in the middle of the tattooing process, Teddy interrupts and offers to move Leonard's car. After a brief conflict, Teddy promises to return with something for Leonard.
Leonard gets a tattoo that says "FACT 6. CAR LICENSE: SG13 7IU." Teddy tells Leonard that a cop is looking for him and that he needs to get a new identity. Teddy gives Leonard a bag of clothes and tells him to take his car and get out of there.
Leonard finds a note in his pocket instructing him to meet Natalie at a bar. He seizes a chance to escape the tattoo parlor by climbing out a window and driving away in his car.
Leonard tracks down Jimmy Grantz to a derelict building, determined to force him to beg. Teddy, an undercover agent, provides Leonard with directions to the building. Jimmy is surprised to see Leonard and questions his motives. Leonard, armed with a jack handle, faces Jimmy in the desolate, industrial setting, leaving the outcome uncertain.
In the depths of a dilapidated building, Leonard's relentless pursuit of vengeance unfolds. He strangles Jimmy, concealing his body and stolen clothes in the basement. As Teddy, a police officer, arrives, Leonard orchestrates a deceptive encounter, leading him to Jimmy's corpse. With ruthless efficiency, Leonard eliminates Teddy, seizing his weapon and badge, leaving him armed and elusive.
Leonard pushes Teddy out of the basement and confronts him about the man he was set up to kill. Teddy reveals that Leonard's memory is faulty and that Leonard is actually responsible for his wife's death. Leonard is shocked and confused by this revelation, leading to a tense and suspenseful scene. The confrontation ends with Leonard left alone in the basement, trying to process the possibility that his memories may be false.
Amidst haunting flashbacks, Leonard grapples with a shocking revelation: he may have already avenged his wife's death. As Teddy, the enigmatic stranger, manipulates the narrative, Leonard finds himself on a desperate quest to uncover the truth, questioning what he remembers and what is real.
Leonard eliminates evidence, crafts false memories, and assumes a new identity by claiming ownership of a stolen car, outsmarting a pursuer and leaving the scene in the stolen vehicle.
Leonard drives aimlessly, contemplating life's complexities and his amnesia. His blind driving leads him to a strip mall where a tattoo parlor sparks his interest, prompting him to investigate.
Earl discovers a note accusing him of cowardice and notices a scar on his head. He examines pictures of a brain abnormality and a grave, contemplating his past and future. A handwritten note urging him to seek revenge adds to his turmoil.
Earl awakens in a desolate room, discovering money, a letter, and keys taped to his hand. As he ponders controlling his own being, a towering figure appears, inflicting agony upon him. The scene concludes with Earl writhing in pain, his fate uncertain.
Earl receives an enigmatic tattoo and a bell, accompanied by a cryptic note from the tattoo artist. The note explains the significance of both the tattoo and the bell, leaving Earl with a lingering mystery.
Earl, lost in his thoughts while riding in a car, questions the meaning of time and the significance of his actions. He realizes the futility of dwelling on the past and the importance of living in the present moment. His discovery of a tattoo on his wrist, bearing two enigmatic dates, adds a layer of mystery and uncertainty to his introspections.

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📊 Script Snapshot

8.35

What's Working

Premise 8.8

The unique concept of a protagonist with anterograde amnesia seeking revenge is a powerful hook that sets the stage for a suspenseful and unpredictabl...

Characters 8.7

The screenplay effectively captures the complexity and inner struggles of Leonardo, making his journey emotionally resonant. His struggle with memory...

Where to Focus

Structure 7

The pacing of the screenplay could be improved to maintain audience engagement throughout. Some scenes may benefit from restructuring or trimming to c...

Visual Impact 8.6

In certain scenes, the visual descriptions could benefit from greater specificity and detail to enhance their impact and create a more vivid mental im...

Script-Level Percentile Chart

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Characters

8.7

The screenplay showcases a strong foundation in character development, effectively capturing the depth, complexity, and...

Analysis: The screenplay showcases a strong foundation in character development, effectively capturing the depth, complexity, and transformation of its central characters. Leonardo's journey of seeking revenge is entangled with his struggle with memory loss, leading to compelling development. The supporting characters of Teddy, Natalie, Dodd, and Earl offer diverse perspectives and motivations, adding richness to the narrative. However, there are opportunities to enhance character consistency and further refine the arcs of Natalie and Earl to align with the screenplay's themes.

Key Strengths

The screenplay effectively captures the complexity and inner struggles of Leonardo, making his journey emotionally resonant. His struggle with memory loss adds a unique layer of depth to his character.

View Complete Analysis

Premise

8.8

The screenplay presents a highly original and intriguing premise centered around Leonard, a man with anterograde amnesia...

Analysis: The screenplay presents a highly original and intriguing premise centered around Leonard, a man with anterograde amnesia seeking revenge for his wife's murder. The premise effectively establishes a sense of mystery, suspense, and unreliable narration, keeping the audience engaged and guessing. However, the complex, non-linear structure and the abundance of plot twists may require further refinement to ensure clarity and prevent audience confusion.

Key Strengths

The unique concept of a protagonist with anterograde amnesia seeking revenge is a powerful hook that sets the stage for a suspenseful and unpredictable narrative.
The non-linear narrative structure adds a layer of complexity and intrigue, keeping the audience actively engaged in piecing together the puzzle of Leonard's past and present.

Areas to Improve

The complex timeline and frequent flashbacks may lead to confusion for some viewers. Consider providing clearer transitions or visual cues to distinguish between past and present.

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Structure

7.0

The screenplay exhibits strengths in its intriguing premise and character dynamics. However, the execution of the plot c...

Analysis: The screenplay exhibits strengths in its intriguing premise and character dynamics. However, the execution of the plot could benefit from refinement to enhance narrative clarity and pacing. The screenplay has potential and can be further developed to improve its overall storytelling impact.

Key Strengths

The screenplay effectively establishes conflicts and stakes, creating a sense of urgency and driving the narrative forward. The consequences of characters' actions are explored, adding weight to their decisions.

Areas to Improve

The pacing of the screenplay could be improved to maintain audience engagement throughout. Some scenes may benefit from restructuring or trimming to create a more dynamic and cohesive viewing experience.

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Theme

8.3

The screenplay effectively conveys its themes and messages through a multi-layered narrative, exploring themes of memory...

Analysis: The screenplay effectively conveys its themes and messages through a multi-layered narrative, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the nature of reality. While the exploration of themes is generally clear, some aspects could be further refined to deepen the screenplay's impact and emotional resonance.

Key Strengths

The screenplay effectively explores the theme of memory and its fragility through the protagonist's journey of self-discovery. The narrative delves into the complexities of memory, questioning its reliability and exploring how memory loss can shape one's identity and perception of reality.

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Visual Impact

8.6

This screenplay demonstrates a strong foundation in visual storytelling, featuring vivid and engaging descriptions that...

Analysis: This screenplay demonstrates a strong foundation in visual storytelling, featuring vivid and engaging descriptions that effectively transport the reader into the world of the narrative. The script's visual imagery is both creative and consistent, with a distinct visual style that complements the screenplay's tone and genre. The immersive descriptions and powerful use of symbolism enhance the emotional impact and narrative depth, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Key Strengths

The screenplay's use of color and lighting is particularly effective in conveying the emotional undertones of scenes. For instance, the use of warm, golden hues to depict moments of intimacy and vulnerability adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

Areas to Improve

In certain scenes, the visual descriptions could benefit from greater specificity and detail to enhance their impact and create a more vivid mental image for the reader.

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Emotional Impact

8.0

This screenplay effectively elicits emotional responses by delving into complex characters and their journeys. The emoti...

Analysis: This screenplay effectively elicits emotional responses by delving into complex characters and their journeys. The emotional depth can be further enhanced by enriching the backstory and motivations of key characters, adding layers to their struggles and conflicts.

Key Strengths

The screenplay effectively portrays the emotional journey of the characters, particularly Leonard's struggle with memory loss and his search for redemption. The gradual unraveling of his past and the exploration of his inner conflicts create a powerful emotional connection with the audience.

View Complete Analysis

Conflict

8.3

The screenplay presents a compelling and intricate web of conflict and stakes, effectively driving the narrative tension...

Analysis: The screenplay presents a compelling and intricate web of conflict and stakes, effectively driving the narrative tension and audience engagement. However, certain developments could further enhance the impact of these elements, deepening the audience's emotional investment and propelling the story to even greater heights.

Key Strengths

The introduction of Teddy as a complex and enigmatic character adds a layer of uncertainty and suspense to the narrative, keeping the audience guessing about his true intentions.

View Complete Analysis

Originality

8.5

This screenplay showcases a strong foundation for originality and creativity, particularly in its intricate narrative st...

Analysis: This screenplay showcases a strong foundation for originality and creativity, particularly in its intricate narrative structure and multifaceted characters, which set it apart from conventional storytelling.

Expand to see detailed analysis

View Complete Analysis

Screenplay Story Analysis

Story Critique The plot of this screenplay is well-crafted and engaging, with a complex and intriguing mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their motivations are believable. The story is paced well, with a good balance of action and suspense. Overall, this is a well-written screenplay with a lot of potential.

Suggestions: One suggestion for improving the story would be to add more backstory and development of the main character's motivations. This would help the reader to connect with the character on a deeper level and to understand their actions. Another suggestion would be to add more twists and turns to the plot. This would keep the reader engaged and guessing until the very end.

Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here

Beginning The beginning of the screenplay is strong, with a compelling hook that draws the reader in. The introduction of the main character and their situation is well-done, and the reader is immediately invested in their journey. The pacing is good, and the story moves along at a steady clip.

Suggestions: One suggestion for improving the beginning of the screenplay would be to add more foreshadowing of the main conflict. This would help the reader to anticipate the events to come and to build suspense. Another suggestion would be to introduce the main character's love interest earlier in the story. This would help to develop the relationship between the two characters and to make the reader more invested in their journey.

Middle The middle of the screenplay is well-paced, with a good balance of action and suspense. The story continues to develop in interesting and unexpected ways, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. The characters continue to grow and develop, and their relationships with each other become more complex.

Suggestions: One suggestion for improving the middle of the screenplay would be to add more conflict between the main character and their antagonist. This would help to raise the stakes and to make the story more exciting. Another suggestion would be to add more scenes that develop the relationship between the main character and their love interest. This would help to make the reader more invested in their journey.

Ending The ending of the screenplay is satisfying and well-executed. The main conflict is resolved in a believable and satisfying way, and the characters are left in a place of hope and closure. The pacing is good, and the story wraps up in a way that leaves the reader feeling satisfied.

Suggestions: One suggestion for improving the ending of the screenplay would be to add more foreshadowing of the final twist. This would help the reader to anticipate the ending and to make it more impactful. Another suggestion would be to add more dialogue between the main character and their love interest in the final scene. This would help to develop their relationship and to give the reader a sense of closure.

CharacterInconsistencies

Character Leonard
Description Leonard's emotional responses seem to vary significantly between scenes. In sequence 20, he is composed and methodical when dealing with Natalie, but in sequence 23 he becomes increasingly agitated and lashes out physically, which seems out of character given his previous demeanor.
( Scene 20 (112) Scene 23 (123) )
Character Teddy
Description Teddy's motivations and relationship to Leonard are inconsistent. In sequence 31, he appears to be helping Leonard and warns him about Natalie, but in sequence 34 he reveals that he has been manipulating Leonard all along, which contradicts his earlier concern for Leonard's well-being.
( Scene 31 (150) Scene 34 (174) )

StoryInconsistencies

Description The revelation that the 'real' John G. has already been killed by Leonard a year ago creates a significant plot inconsistency. This contradicts the narrative that Leonard has been searching for his wife's killer all along, and raises questions about the reliability of the information presented to the audience.
( Scene 34 (174) )

PlotHoles

Description It is unclear how Leonard ended up in Dodd's motel room and why Dodd was tied up there. The script does not provide a convincing explanation for these events, leaving a plot hole in the narrative.
( Scene 13 (69) )
Description The revelation that Leonard has already killed the 'real' John G. a year ago creates a significant plot hole. It is unclear why Leonard would continue his obsessive search for this person if he had already achieved his goal of revenge, undermining the central narrative drive of the film.
( Scene 34 (174) )

DialogueAuthenticity

Description Natalie's dialogue in sequence 23, where she viciously insults Leonard and his wife, does not seem authentic to her previous characterization. The language and vitriol feel out of place and serve more to advance the plot than reflect a realistic character interaction.
( Scene 23 (123) )

Redundancies

Element Exposition about Sammy Jankis
( Scene 8 (41) Scene 9 (47) Scene 10 (52) )
Suggestion Consider consolidating or rearranging the exposition about Sammy Jankis to avoid repetition and maintain narrative momentum.

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Leonard - Score: 81/100

Role

Protagonist

Personality

MBTI: INTP
Enneagram: Type 5

Scenes

Strongest: #4
Weakest: #14

Character Analysis Overview

Foundational Definition 9/10

Leonard is defined by amnesia and a quest for revenge.

Complexity And Depth 8/10

Leonard's internal conflict revolves around vengeance and memory loss.

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis 8/10

Leonard's journey is about seeking closure and vengeance, with moments of realization.

Dialogue And Voice 7/10

Leonard's speech is fragmented and often reflects his fragmented memory.

Behavior And Choices 8/10

Leonard's actions are driven by vengeance and dictated by his memory gaps.

Relationship Dynamics 7/10

Leonard's relationships are deeply affected by his condition.

Scene Impact 9/10

Leonard's choices pivotally influence the narrative's flow.

Role Fulfillment 8/10

Leonard embodies the archetype of a tragic hero.

Thematic Plot Integration 9/10

Leonard's journey enhances the themes of memory and identity.

Emotional Resonance 8/10

Leonard evokes strong emotional responses through his tragedy.

Foundational Definition

Score: 9

Leonard Shelby is a man suffering from anterograde amnesia, which prevents him from forming new memories after the traumatic incident of his wife's murder. His identity is anchored in his quest for revenge against the man he believes killed her, which shapes his actions and decisions throughout the screenplay. The constant battle between his fragmented memories and his desire for vengeance creates a dynamic character whose reality is dictated by what he can capture in photographs and tattoos.

Values And Beliefs: Justice, memory as identity, vengeance for lost love

Strengths And Skills: Meticulous detective work, resourcefulness, use of Polaroids and tattoos to remember people and facts

Suggestions

Emphasize the emotional struggle of living with amnesia in visual storytelling.
Explore deeper his memories and feelings about his wife, to enhance his personal stakes.

Follow-up Questions

What are some specific memories of his wife that could be portrayed to show his emotional state?
How does his condition influence his relationships with others he encounters?

Complexity And Depth

Score: 8

Leonard's emotional wound is the unresolved trauma of his wife's murder which he tries to avenge. His determination to seek justice is counterbalanced by his frustration with his own mental condition, which causes him to forget critical moments and details of his quest. This internal conflict leads to anxiety and exposes a vulnerability beneath his tough exterior.

Character Wound: Loss of his wife and inability to create new memories

Character Flaws: Overreliance on notes and tattoos, impulsive decisions in his quest for revenge

Suggestions

Delve more into his past life before the incident to understand his loss more clearly.
Create scenarios where his reliance on tattoos leads to mistakes in his actions.

Follow-up Questions

How does Leonard cope with his frustration when he fails to remember crucial information?
In what ways does his inability to form memories impact his relationships with the people he meets?

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis

Score: 8

Leonard's quest to find his wife's murderer serves as a catalyst for his transformation, challenging him to confront the reality of his actions. Throughout, there are moments of realization that both elevate and diminish his sense of purpose, as he grapples with his limited understanding of his own life.

Polarity Changes: High points include finding leads on his wife's murderer; low points include the realization that he has killed the wrong person.

Transformation Triggers: Discovering he's been manipulated by those around him; realizing the consequences of his actions.

Suggestions

Use flashbacks to provide glimpses of his life before his trauma to create empathy.
Incorporate interactions that challenge his beliefs about revenge and justice.

Follow-up Questions

What does Leonard think will happen once he gets his revenge?
How do other characters’ viewpoints on revenge influence Leonard’s journey?

Dialogue And Voice

Score: 7

His dialogue often carries an emotional weight, particularly in moments of remembrance. He frequently refers to his condition, prompting others to engage with his unique reality. At times, the dialogue serves to fill in gaps left by his memory.

Unique Voice: Direct, often confused or seeking clarity; his dialogue shifts with his memory lapses.

Suggestions

Vary the emotional tone of his dialogue to reflect his vulnerabilities and frustrations.
Enhance the subtext in conversations with Teddy to highlight his inner conflict.

Follow-up Questions

What specific phrases does Leonard use that reveal his struggle with memory?
How does his tone shift depending on who he is speaking to?

Behavior And Choices

Score: 8

Leonard often makes choices based on immediate needs or misleading information. His reliance on notes and tattoos highlights his desperate attempts to navigate a world where he feels increasingly lost. These behaviors underscore both his resourcefulness and his tragic flaws.

Motivations: To avenge his wife’s death and find the truth.

Desires Vs Needs: Desires to kill John G; needs to find closure and move forward.

Suggestions

Show the consequences of his actions more clearly to emphasize the gravity of his journey.
Demonstrate moments when his choices lead to unexpected results, challenging his views.

Follow-up Questions

What specific decisions lead him closer to his goal, and how are they affected by his condition?
How could he confront moments of doubt or confusion in his mission?

Relationship Dynamics

Score: 7

His interactions reveal both empathy and manipulation, particularly with Teddy and Natalie. Although he seeks their help, their true motivations remain unclear to him due to his inability to remember past encounters.

Suggestions

Expand on moments where Leonard misjudges characters based on his memory issues.
Create scenes that build trust or suspicion with key characters.

Follow-up Questions

What patterns emerge in his interactions that help to define his character?
How does he balance trust and betrayal in his relationships?

Scene Impact

Score: 9

Leonard's presence initiates major plot points, most notably through his actions against Teddy and his pursuit of revenge. As he struggles with his own inability to retain memories, his actions provide layers of tension and drama that affect all surrounding characters.

Suggestions

Heighten emotional stakes in scenes where Leonard shows vulnerability.
Consider juxtaposing his advanced planning and shortsightedness to create conflict.

Follow-up Questions

Which scenes highlight Leonard's mental struggle and its consequences?
How do the outcomes of his actions reverberate through the story?

Role Fulfillment

Score: 8

As the protagonist, Leonard drives the narrative forward, reflecting themes of vengeance, memory, and identity. Despite his tragic flaws, he catalyzes change and impact around him, making him a compelling figure in this intricate narrative.

Symbolic Role: Represents the struggle of memory and the quest for identity.

Suggestions

Explore symbolic elements within his journey to enhance thematic depth.
Integrate backstory elements that align with his current arc.

Follow-up Questions

How might he be perceived differently by other characters in the story?
What does he represent in terms of human resilience against loss?

Thematic Plot Integration

Score: 9

Leonard’s pursuit of revenge intertwines directly with larger themes of the screenplay: the nature of memory, the reliability of perception, and the quest for self-identity. His character challenges the audience to consider how trauma distorts reality and the lengths one will go to reclaim it.

Suggestions

Deepen his character interactions that reveal thematic elements.
Utilize visual storytelling to highlight underlying themes through his actions.

Follow-up Questions

How does Leonard's condition drive the thematic elements of the story?
In what ways does his journey embody the central moral questions presented?

Emotional Resonance

Score: 8

Leonard's emotional struggles resonate deeply with the audience, invoking sympathy for his plight. His relentless pursuit of vengeance, despite the futility presented by his condition, strikes an emotional chord, engaging viewers in his harrowing journey.

Emotional Impact: Elicits feelings of empathy, tension, and sadness.

Suggestions

Amplify significant emotional moments with supporting characters.
Incorporate deeper moments of reflection that allow the audience to connect with his grief.

Follow-up Questions

What specific scenes foster the greatest emotional responses for the audience?
How does Leonard's emotional journey align with the audience's expectations?

Personality Types

MBTI: intp

Leonard exhibits the traits of an INTP with his analytical mind, reliance on logic, and his quest for understanding despite his emotional turmoil.

Confidence: 75%

Possible Alternative Type: infj (25%)

Suggestions

Ensure that his problem-solving skills are showcased effectively in critical scenes.
Explore the emotional depth of his character to balance the thinking tendencies.

Follow-up Questions

How might his personality type impact his interaction with others?
In what ways does his character defy or align with INTP traits?

Enneagram: type 5

Leonard's strong desire to understand the truth about his past and keep knowledge close aligns him with Type 5 qualities of the Enneagram.

Confidence: 80%

Possible Alternative Type: type 8 (20%)

Suggestions

Utilize his strengths as a Type 5 to drive investigative scenes.
Integrate moments where his Type 8 instincts of self-preservation come forward.

Follow-up Questions

What triggers his shift from a Type 5 focus to moments of Type 8 behavior?
How do his decisions reflect or contradict his Enneagram type?

Key Scenes

Strongest Scene (4)

When Leonard confronts Teddy in the derelict building, unveiling his emotional turmoil over revenge and regret.

Why: This high-stakes interaction showcases his emotional depth and clearly demonstrates the conflict and tension between the characters.

Weakest Scene (14)

The scene where Leonard is shaving his thigh while talking on the phone highlights his vulnerability yet ends up feeling repetitive.

Why: The focus on routine behavior undercuts the narrative's tension and makes it less impactful.

Suggestions:

Increase the stakes by introducing a mysterious call that adds urgency.
Deepen his internal conflict by highlighting moments of doubt or frustration.

Teddy - Score: 81/100

Role

Antagonist

Personality

MBTI: ESFP
Enneagram: 3

Scenes

Strongest: #8
Weakest: #4

Character Analysis Overview

Foundational Definition 8/10

Morally ambiguous figure manipulating Leonard.

Complexity And Depth 7/10

Exhibits selfishness and manipulation with emotional wounds.

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis 8/10

Teddy maintains a consistent moral ambiguity throughout.

Dialogue And Voice 7/10

Teddy's dialogue reflects his manipulative and charismatic nature.

Behavior And Choices 9/10

Teddy's actions are driven by self-interest and manipulation.

Relationship Dynamics 8/10

Teddy's relationships are shallow, primarily with Leonard.

Scene Impact 9/10

Teddy often introduces conflict and tension to scenes.

Role Fulfillment 9/10

Teddy fulfills the role of antagonist/foe to the protagonist.

Thematic Plot Integration 8/10

Teddy’s arc reinforces themes of memory and deception.

Emotional Resonance 8/10

Teddy elicits tension and frustration from the audience.

Foundational Definition

Score: 8

Teddy, also known as John Edward Gammell, plays a complex role. Initially presented as a friend to Leonard, he represents a morally ambiguous figure who navigates between ally and antagonist. His foundational trait is his willingness to manipulate others to survive while maintaining a facade of camaraderie with Leonard. He embodies the darker aspects of human nature and is indicative of those who exploit the vulnerabilities of others.

Values And Beliefs: Self-preservation, manipulation, survival at all costs.

Strengths And Skills: Charismatic, persuasive, street-smart.

Suggestions

Explore deeper motivations for Teddy's manipulation.
Introduce moments that show the conflict between Teddy's survival instincts and any remaining morals.

Follow-up Questions

What past experiences have shaped Teddy's distrust towards others?
How did Teddy come to know about Leonard's condition?

Complexity And Depth

Score: 7

Teddy's complexity is rooted in his dichotomy as a user and as a survivor. He exhibits a fundamental flaw of selfishness that manifests in his manipulation of Leonard. The emotional wounds of his past survival tactics leave him unable to form genuine connections. His internal conflict revolves around using Leonard as a means to an end while justifying his actions as necessary for survival.

Character Wound: Survivor's guilt and distrust.

Character Flaws: Manipulative, deceitful, self-serving.

Suggestions

Include backstory that explains Teddy's survival mentality.
Create scenes where his selfishness leads to unintended consequences.

Follow-up Questions

What trauma has influenced Teddy's current behavior?
Does Teddy ever feel remorse for the people he manipulates?

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis

Score: 8

Teddy’s arc is defined by his ability to stay the same regardless of circumstances. While he guides Leonard through a superficial friendship, deeper truths about his character remain purposefully obscured. His choices reflect a static character with a singular goal of self-protection, avoiding true transformation even when faced with the consequences of his deception.

Polarity Changes: His relationship with Leonard fluctuates from ally to antagonist.

Transformation Triggers: Interactions with Leonard that question his past actions.

Suggestions

Introduce a moment where Teddy is faced with the consequences of his manipulation.
Have Teddy question his choices when confronted by Leonard.

Follow-up Questions

What is the tipping point for Teddy to fully betray Leonard?
Is there a moment of vulnerability that could add depth to Teddy's character?

Dialogue And Voice

Score: 7

Teddy employs a casual tone that belies his true intentions. His dialog often fluctuates between affable banter and intense manipulation, providing layers to his character. His speech patterns emphasize his ability to control the situation, showcasing his comfort in deceit, which juxtaposes well with Leonard’s fragmented memory.

Unique Voice: Charming, persuasive, often playful but with an underlying threat.

Suggestions

Add subtler hints of Teddy's true motivations in his dialogue.
Emphasize pendant dialects to reflect his background and connections.

Follow-up Questions

How does Teddy’s dialogue change when he is cornered?
What specific lines best capture Teddy's manipulative nature?

Behavior And Choices

Score: 9

Teddy's choices reflect his commitment to using Leonard for his gains, showcasing a pattern of deceit. His interactions are primarily self-serving, as he seeks to navigate the chaos of his life through manipulation rather than meaningful relationships. Each action is calculated to avoid his own vulnerabilities while exploiting Leonard's memory issues.

Motivations: Self-preservation, financial gain, manipulative control.

Desires Vs Needs: Desires power and control; needs genuine connection.

Suggestions

Highlight key moments that showcase Teddy's morally ambiguous choices.
Add complexity to his decisions, revealing potential moments of conflict about his actions.

Follow-up Questions

How does Teddy justify using Leonard for his own ends?
Are there scenarios where Teddy's motivations conflict with his actions?

Relationship Dynamics

Score: 8

Teddy’s connection with Leonard is central to the story, serving to propel the plot while highlighting distrust. The façade of friendship contrasts with the manipulation, and their dynamics reveal deeper themes of betrayal and survival. Teddy's relationships with others are largely transactional, revealing his inability to form genuine agreements.

Suggestions

Explore interactions with minor characters to flesh out Teddy's relationships.
Create tension in conversations with Leonard that reveal underlying disdain or care.

Follow-up Questions

What is Teddy's relationship like with other characters before encountering Leonard?
Does Teddy ever show signs of emotional connection to Leonard, or is it purely transactional?

Scene Impact

Score: 9

Teddy's actions significantly heighten the stakes of various scenes. Whether he's manipulating Leonard or guiding him, his presence tends to bring an undercurrent of conflict, reflecting his dual nature as both ally and adversary. His atmosphere of charm easily turns sinister, keeping the audience guessing.

Suggestions

Maximize tension in pivotal scenes by elevating Teddy's manipulation.
Craft scenes where Teddy's charisma momentarily masks his sinister intentions.

Follow-up Questions

What scene most vividly illustrates Teddy's impact on the plot?
How does Teddy’s demeanor change when he feels threatened?

Role Fulfillment

Score: 9

As the antagonist to Leonard, Teddy's role is crucial in illustrating the moral ambiguity within human relationships. He embodies the themes of betrayal, deception, and the struggle to find truth. Teddy's presence serves to challenge Leonard’s quest for vengeance, often blurring the lines of ally and enemy.

Symbolic Role: Represents betrayal, truth, and deception.

Suggestions

Reinforce Teddy's role through contrasting interactions with Leonard.
Evaluate moments where Teddy subverts expectations of an antagonist.

Follow-up Questions

What is the most effective way to demonstrate Teddy's antagonistic qualities?
Does Teddy's behavior suggest a conflict that could lead to a potential ally role?

Thematic Plot Integration

Score: 8

Teddy’s personal journey intertwines with the film’s exploration of memory, identity, and the nature of truth. His manipulation underscores the fragility of Leonard’s reality, suggesting broader implications about trust and perception. Teddy serves as both a facilitator for Leonard's quest and a significant barrier to achieving clarity.

Suggestions

Strengthen Teddy's thematic representation by delving into past relationships.
Highlight moments that contrast memory with deception in Teddy's actions.

Follow-up Questions

How do Teddy’s choices encapsulate the overarching themes of the screenplay?
What thematic elements can be further explored through Teddy's narrative?

Emotional Resonance

Score: 8

Teddy's manipulative behavior and shifting allegiances evoke a strong emotional response from the audience, primarily tension and unease. His actions challenge perceptions, reflecting the complicated nature of Leonard's journey, ultimately engaging viewers in the moral quandaries of trust and betrayal.

Emotional Impact: Creates feelings of distrust and confusion.

Suggestions

Enhance emotional moments through subtle visual cues in Teddy’s interactions.
Inject more recurring psychological tension in his exchanges.

Follow-up Questions

What are the key emotional beats tied to Teddy’s character?
How can Teddy's presence be leveraged to heighten audience engagement?

Personality Types

MBTI: esfp

Teddy is extroverted and thrives in social interactions; he appears spontaneous and often lives in the moment, showcasing adaptability but also a lack of foresight.

Confidence: 80%

Possible Alternative Type: enfp (60%)

Suggestions

Consider how Teddy's extroverted nature impacts his relationships with other characters.
Expand on his emotional side to deepen his character complexity.

Follow-up Questions

How does Teddy's MBTI type influence his decisions throughout the screenplay?
In what ways could these traits further complicate his relationship with Leonard?

Enneagram: 3

Teddy exhibits traits of an Achiever, be it through his social manipulation and efforts to stay ahead in a dangerous game.

Confidence: 75%

Possible Alternative Type: 7 (40%)

Suggestions

Dive deeper into how Teddy's Enneagram type informs his values and decisions.
Illustrate the connection between his achievements and personal failures.

Follow-up Questions

How does Teddy's Enneagram type intersect with themes of identity and memory?
What scenes best depict the challenges and motivations of his Enneagram type?

Key Scenes

Strongest Scene (8)

Teddy’s jovial demeanor during the car ride introduces a playful facade, concealing deeper intent. This scene encapsulates Teddy's duality as both friend and manipulator.

Why: It showcases Teddy’s ability to charm while maintaining an edge of suspicion, effectively positioning him as an interesting character.

Weakest Scene (4)

Teddy's confrontation with Leonard after being attacked in the derelict building is a weak moment. Teddy appears to lack strength, diminishing his typical manipulative prowess.

Why: This scene undercuts Teddy's significance by positioning him as a victim, which conflicts with his earlier portrayal.

Suggestions:

Amplify Teddy's resilience or defensiveness in the confrontation to promote strength.
Modify dialogue to highlight Teddy's attempts to manipulate even when threatened.

Natalie - Score: 75/100

Personality

MBTI: ENTJ

Character Analysis Overview

Foundational Definition 7/10

Resourceful and manipulative survivor.

Complexity And Depth 8/10

Emotionally wounded with a fierce demeanor.

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis 7/10

Complex evolution with potential stagnation.

Dialogue And Voice 7/10

Distinctive tone and challenging dialogue.

Behavior And Choices 8/10

Tactical and shrewd in decision-making.

Relationship Dynamics 7/10

Complex and often adversarial with other characters.

Scene Impact 8/10

Catalyst for critical story shifts.

Role Fulfillment 7/10

Supports thematic and narrative tensions.

Thematic Plot Integration 8/10

Teems with moral ambiguity and emotional conflict.

Emotional Resonance 8/10

Provokes sympathy while maintaining tension.

Foundational Definition

Score: 7

Natalie is a complex character whose motivations are intertwined with her past relationships and current struggles. Having lost someone important (implied to be her boyfriend, Jimmy), she displays a mix of vulnerability and aggression. Early interactions suggest she is resourceful and willing to manipulate her environment to survive, revealing a deep-seated desire for control over her life and circumstances. Natalie navigates a world filled with deception, using her intelligence to forge alliances yet remaining cold and calculating when necessary.

Values And Beliefs: Survival, vengeance, control.

Strengths And Skills: Quick-witted, manipulative, street-smart.

Suggestions

Explore deeper emotional connections to her past losses.
Add scenes showing her vulnerability to create empathy.

Follow-up Questions

What specific events caused Natalie to become so mistrustful of others?
How does her relationship with Leonard affect her choices throughout the narrative?

Complexity And Depth

Score: 8

Natalie's character is marked by emotional wounds stemming from loss and betrayal, primarily her boyfriend's fate. This pain drives her actions and makes her mistrustful, yet she also embodies survival instincts. Her fierce demeanor can be seen as a protective mechanism, deflecting vulnerability with aggression. The challenge for Natalie lies in balancing her need for power with the fear of losing control.

Character Wound: Loss of her boyfriend, emotional detachment.

Character Flaws: Manipulative, emotionally guarded, and aggressive.

Suggestions

Show more moments of vulnerability or hesitation in her decisions.
Include past memories that trigger her emotional responses.

Follow-up Questions

How does Natalie process her grief over Jimmy's death?
What are the moments that reveal her internal conflicts most clearly?

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis

Score: 7

Throughout the screenplay, Natalie grapples with her emotional scars while seeking vengeance for her lost love. However, as she becomes increasingly involved with Leonard, her character's complexity deepens. Whether she opens up or hardens further could define the ending of her story.

Polarity Changes: Nataly's journey shifts from being vulnerable to using her manipulation for survival more aggressively.

Transformation Triggers: Her interactions with Leonard and the pressures from her past regarding Jimmy.

Suggestions

Add clearer turning points that lead to her emotional breakthroughs or regressions.
Clarify her goals in relation to Leonard for better narrative tension.

Follow-up Questions

What significant events push Natalie to either trust or distrust Leonard?
How does her past influence her decisions throughout the story?

Dialogue And Voice

Score: 7

Her speech patterns reflect her gritty survival instincts. She often oscillates between playful banter and harsh truth, using words as weapons to maintain a façade of control. This duality in her dialogue serves to highlight her emotional turmoil as well as her intelligence.

Unique Voice: Natalie often uses sarcasm combined with aggression; her dialogue is sharp and revealing.

Suggestions

Incorporate more internal monologue to contrast her verbal interactions.
Use dialogue to explicitly reveal her thought process or emotional state during key moments.

Follow-up Questions

How does Natalie’s dialogue evolve when faced with emotional challenges?
What phrases or patterns in her speech could signify deeper psychological issues?

Behavior And Choices

Score: 8

Natalie's choices throughout the screenplay are often driven by her desire to gain the upper hand in a world that has wronged her. She consistently seeks allies but uses manipulation to navigate her connections, especially with Leonard. This strategy both aids and complicates her relationships as she balances her personal vendetta against her emotional needs.

Motivations: Survival, revenge, control over her narrative.

Desires Vs Needs: She desires revenge and stability but needs emotional closure and trust.

Suggestions

Show her wrestling with moral dilemmas more explicitly.
Highlight consequences of her decisions in relation to others.

Follow-up Questions

What moral lines is Natalie willing to cross in her pursuit of revenge?
How do her past experiences shape her choices in the moment?

Relationship Dynamics

Score: 7

Natalie has significant relationships with Leonard and Teddy, both of which are characterized by manipulation, trust issues, and hidden agendas. With Leonard, there is a delicate balance between vulnerability and self-preservation, while her interactions with Teddy reveal deeper layers of mistrust. These dynamics illustrate how her past experiences affect her current connections.

Suggestions

Develop more backstory for her relationship with Teddy.
Explore her moments of genuine connection or conflict with Leonard to add nuance.

Follow-up Questions

How do Natalie’s relationships impact her decisions regarding revenge?
What aspects of her character do her interactions with Leonard reveal about her vulnerabilities?

Scene Impact

Score: 8

Natalie's presence often introduces tension and emotional conflict into scenes, especially in her confrontations with Leonard. Her actions can shift the emotional tone from vulnerability to aggression, significantly affecting the plot's trajectory. Natalie's ability to wield language and emotion turns her interactions into pivotal moments that define her character arc.

Suggestions

Increase her involvement in key scenes to heighten the stakes.
Create scenarios where her absence could lead to a critical shift in plot direction.

Follow-up Questions

How do her decisions in climactic moments drive the plot forward?
In which scenes could her emotional presence amplify the drama?

Role Fulfillment

Score: 7

Natalie serves as both an ally and a potential antagonist for Leonard, embodying themes of trust and revenge within the narrative. Her character both supports and complicates Leonard's quest, acting as a mirror to his own struggles while challenging his perceptions of trustworthiness. This dichotomy is crucial in enhancing the screenplay's exploration of memory, loss, and agency.

Symbolic Role: A representation of betrayal, survival, and manipulation.

Suggestions

Clarify her motivations to better fulfill her narrative role.
Set up scenarios where her role can be subverted or revealed as deceptive.

Follow-up Questions

What moral stand does Natalie represent within the story's conflicts?
How do her choices reflect larger thematic questions in the screenplay?

Thematic Plot Integration

Score: 8

Nataly's personal journey intersects with the themes of memory, vengeance, and the quest for identity in the narrative. Her struggles echo Leonard’s turmoil, creating a complex web of relationships anchored in the loss and pursuit of personal agency. Nataly's integration into the plot deepens the story's exploration of truth versus deception, pushing both her narrative and the central themes forward.

Suggestions

Enhance her personal stakes in the thematic exploration of memory.
Find ways to intertwine her resolution with Leonard’s growth for a more cohesive arc.

Follow-up Questions

In what ways does Natalie’s story reinforce the themes of revenge and memory?
How might she respond to the consequences of her choices in the thematic context?

Emotional Resonance

Score: 8

Natalie's character elicits strong emotional responses from the audience through her complexity and conflicting motives. The emotional resonance lies in her struggles, washing over viewers as they witness her manipulation and attempts at survival against the backdrop of loss. Her brutal honesty and fierce determination contribute to the overall emotional tension of the screenplay.

Emotional Impact: Evokes a mix of empathy, mistrust, and tension.

Suggestions

Explore her emotional depth to create more moments of audience connection.
Utilize flashbacks or memories to deepen emotional impact throughout her arc.

Follow-up Questions

What specific audience emotions are most evoked by Natalie’s character?
How can scenes be crafted to play out her emotional weight more effectively?

Personality Types

MBTI: entj

Natalie's decisiveness and leadership tendencies align with ENTJ characteristics, as she seeks to control her surroundings and strategize her way through conflict.

Confidence: 75%

Possible Alternative Type: infj (25%)

Suggestions

Identify potential blind spots in her character that may limit her growth.
Explore ways she can show emotional connection despite her tough façade.

Follow-up Questions

In what moments does Natalie display typical ENTJ traits such as assertiveness?
How might her characterization change if viewed through an INFJ lens?

Dodd - Score: 74/100

Role

Antagonist

Personality

MBTI: ESTP
Enneagram: Type 8: The Challenger

Scenes

Strongest: #4
Weakest: #4

Character Analysis Overview

Foundational Definition 8/10

Manipulative figure representing danger and self-interest.

Complexity And Depth 7/10

Dodd's arrogance and reliance on manipulation reveal deeper conflicts.

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis 6/10

Dodd maintains a manipulative and aggressive stance throughout, showing little evolution.

Dialogue And Voice 7/10

Dodd's speech is assertive, confrontational, and reflective of his unscrupulous nature.

Behavior And Choices 8/10

Dodd's choices stem from self-serving motivations and a lack of empathy.

Relationship Dynamics 6/10

Dodd's connections are largely exploitative, lacking genuine emotional ties.

Scene Impact 8/10

Dodd introduces tension and conflict as a significant antagonist.

Role Fulfillment 9/10

Dodd serves as a catalyst for Leonard's revenge-driven quest.

Thematic Plot Integration 8/10

Dodd’s actions and motivations intertwine with themes of memory and morality.

Emotional Resonance 7/10

Dodd instills fear and tension, complicating audience emotions.

Foundational Definition

Score: 8

Dodd is portrayed as a manipulative figure in Memento, with a cunning personality that's motivated by self-preservation and an inclination towards violence. He represents a significant threat to Leonard, as he is involved in the drug trade and has connections to the underworld. His character is shaped by his willingness to use others for his gain and his understanding of the darker aspects of human nature, particularly how to manipulate those with vulnerabilities, such as Leonard. Dodd acts with a sense of entitlement and dismisses Leonard’s condition, showing no empathy for his struggles, which solidifies his role as an antagonist in the narrative.

Values And Beliefs: Self-preservation, Manipulation, No empathy for others

Strengths And Skills: Cunning, Violent, Ability to manipulate situations

Suggestions

Explore Dodd's backstory to provide context for his motivations.
Deepen his interactions with Leonard to highlight the psychological warfare.

Follow-up Questions

What past experiences may have shaped Dodd's view of empathy?
How does Dodd's role influence Leonard's character development?

Complexity And Depth

Score: 7

Dodd embodies the emotional wound of betrayal and loss of control. His flaws include arrogance and a deeply ingrained belief in his superiority over others, which often leads him to underestimate Leonard. This arrogant view serves as a double-edged sword, providing him confidence while also leading to his eventual downfall. Dodd's conflict is internalized; he approaches situations with a superficial confidence while harboring a fear of losing control, which influences his actions throughout the film. His emotional depth is hinted at through his treatment of Leonard and the implications of his involvement in dangerous dealings.

Character Wound: Fear of losing control

Character Flaws: Arrogance, Superficial confidence

Suggestions

Delve into Dodd's backstory to explain his need for control.
Introduce moments where Dodd's insecurities become apparent in his interactions.

Follow-up Questions

What drives Dodd to feel superior, and how does that affect his decisions?
How does Dodd's fear manifest in his interactions with Leonard?

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis

Score: 6

Despite being an antagonist, Dodd's journey is not one of change. Rather, he represents a consistent threat to Leonard's quest for revenge. Dodd's alignment with the darker forces in Leonard's world keeps him stagnant, as his need for control and manipulation prevents any personal growth. His attempts to coerce Leonard only spark conflict, demonstrating his misunderstanding of Leonard’s resilience. The significant triggering event for his lack of change is his persistent aggression, leading to his eventual defeat without any learning or adaptation.

Polarity Changes: Dodd's initial confidence ultimately leads to his downfall.

Transformation Triggers: His underestimation of Leonard’s resolve and intelligence leads to his demise.

Suggestions

Clarify Dodd's motivations to enhance the audience’s understanding of his character.
Create scenes that reveal his misconceptions about power dynamics.

Follow-up Questions

What does Dodd learn, if anything, from his encounters with Leonard?
How could Dodd’s character be altered to show potential growth?

Dialogue And Voice

Score: 7

Dodd's dialogue often contains elements of mockery and aggression, which serves to establish his role as an antagonist early on. His assertiveness is notable, as he uses verbal sliminess to belittle Leonard and others around him. This pattern of speech effectively conveys his manipulative and controlling personality, though it also reveals a degree of vulnerability when he realizes he is losing control. Dodd’s voice can shift, showing flashes of insecurity particularly when his life is threatened. Exploring the vocal nuances of Dodd can deepen appreciation for his character.

Unique Voice: Confrontational, aggressive tone with a sense of self-importance.

Suggestions

Vary his dialogue to showcase different emotional states.
Use subtext in conversations to highlight his manipulative tendencies.

Follow-up Questions

How might a change in Dodd’s speech styles affect viewer perception?
What do Dodd’s speech patterns reveal about his background?

Behavior And Choices

Score: 8

Dodd's actions are consistently guided by self-interest and a desire for control. He readily resorts to violence to maintain his dominance and does not shy away from threatening others to get what he wants. This behavioral pattern ultimately leads to his conflict with Leonard, as he cannot adapt to the circumstances forcing him to confront his failures. The choices Dodd makes throughout the screenplay reveal a character stuck in a cycle of aggressive survival tactics, underscoring effective dramatic tension that drives the plot forward.

Motivations: Self-preservation, Power, Control

Desires Vs Needs: Desires power and control override any actual need for empathy or connection.

Suggestions

Show how Dodd rationalizes his violent behavior.
Explore moments of weakness to offer the audience relatable aspects of his character.

Follow-up Questions

What does Dodd truly need versus what he believes he desires?
How could showing Dodd's decision-making process enhance his depth?

Relationship Dynamics

Score: 6

Dodd's relationships with others, especially Leonard and Natalie, are marked by manipulation and exploitation. His dynamic with Leonard reveals his tendency to view others as pawns in his game, using Leonard's condition to his advantage. Similarly, his interactions with Natalie are one of superficial appeal, masking potential harsh undertones of control and violence. This lack of genuine connection highlights Dodd's overall isolation, which can amplify the story's tension through conflict registration.

Suggestions

Introduce complexity to Dodd’s relationships by revealing underlying emotional ties.
Show instances where Dodd’s reliance on manipulation begins to falter.

Follow-up Questions

How does Dodd's relationship with Leonard reflect broader themes of trust and betrayal?
What moments could reveal Dodd's vulnerabilities in his connections?

Scene Impact

Score: 8

Dodd’s presence often escalates tension, acting as a disruptive force that brings danger into Leonard’s life. His aggressive demeanor challenges Leonard, pushing the plot into darker territory. Dodd often injects fear into scenes, most notably with his violent tendencies toward both Leonard and Natalie. This consistently high-stakes interaction enhances the emotional weight of scenes Dodd occupies, escalating the urgency of Leonard’s quest for vengeance.

Suggestions

Develop scenes where Dodd's actions and choices backfire.
Increase the emotional stakes during interactions to deepen scene impact.

Follow-up Questions

What key scene defines Dodd's role in unlocking Leonard’s journey?
How do scenes with Dodd contrast with those of Leonard, reinforcing their narrative significance?

Role Fulfillment

Score: 9

Dodd's role as an antagonist is critical in Memento, fulfilling the archetype by embodying the darker sides of humanity. His presence not only provokes conflict but echoes the internal struggles Leonard faces as he navigates a world that preys on his vulnerability. The push and pull between Leonard and Dodd highlight elements of fate and choice, with Dodd’s actions propelling Leonard deeper into his quest for vengeance. Such dynamics lend themselves to explorations of morality, justice, and personal truth.

Symbolic Role: Antagonist representing chaos and manipulation.

Suggestions

Create more backstory for Dodd to elaborate on his motivations.
Enhance Dodd's symbolism by illustrating instances where he parallels Leonard’s struggle.

Follow-up Questions

What does Dodd reveal about Leonard’s character through their conflict?
How could Dodd’s persona evolve to juxtapose or mirror Leonard's journey?

Thematic Plot Integration

Score: 8

Through Dodd, the screenplay examines the nature of trust, revenge, and the complexities of human relationships. His role in Leonard’s life forces questions about identity and what it means to remember. As Leonard seeks vengeance, Dodd epitomizes the moral ambiguity in chasing that justification as his careless actions juxtapose against Leonard’s desperate need for closure. Ultimately, Dodd embodies the unpredictable effects of revenge and memory loss.

Suggestions

Delve deeper into how Dodd embodies the themes, tying his narrative closer to Leonard’s arc.
Highlight moments that challenge the relationship between memory and morality through Dodd.

Follow-up Questions

How does Dodd's character push against or reinforce the theme of vengeance?
What are the consequences of Dodd's actions in relation to the film’s overarching themes?

Emotional Resonance

Score: 7

Dodd's character effectively generates emotional responses in the audience, evoking feelings of tension and disdain. As a primary antagonist, he stands as a barrier to Leonard's quest and elicits frustration through his manipulations. Additionally, his confrontational style challenges viewers’ sympathies, creating complex layers of emotion. The further Dodd entrenches himself in predatory behavior, the stronger the emotional stakes for Leonard, thereby evoking empathy for Leonard’s plight.

Emotional Impact: Dodd evokes tension and fear, making the audience wary of his intentions.

Suggestions

Introduce moments that explore Dodd's vulnerabilities to enhance audience connection.
Create contrasting emotional beats to provide relief from continuous tension.

Follow-up Questions

How does Dodd evoke sympathy or resentment within audiences?
What moments in Dodd's character arc could enhance emotional stakes for viewers?

Personality Types

MBTI: estp

Dodd's bold and assertive nature aligns with the ESTP type, showcasing traits of risk-taking and engagement with the immediate environment.

Confidence: 80%

Possible Alternative Type: entp (20%)

Suggestions

Explore Dodd's cognitive functions further to deepen character traits.
Incorporate dialogues that reveal Dodd’s intuitive insights.

Follow-up Questions

How does Dodd’s personality type influence his reaction to unexpected situations?
In what ways might Dodd’s characteristics serve as a foil to other characters?

Enneagram: type 8: the challenger

Dodd exhibits the dominant traits of Type 8, emphasizing control, power, and assertiveness in his interactions.

Confidence: 85%

Possible Alternative Type: type 3: the achiever (15%)

Suggestions

Showcase how Dodd’s assertiveness manifests in different environments.
Develop Dodd's fear of being controlled or marginalized through specific interactions.

Follow-up Questions

What lessons can Dodd draw from his interactions with Leonard?
In what ways might Dodd’s aggressive tendencies lead to his downfall?

Key Scenes

Strongest Scene (4)

Dodd’s confrontation with Leonard that drives the emotional tension.

Why: This scene effectively unveils Dodd’s manipulative nature, setting the stage for viewer tension and revealing motivations.

Weakest Scene (4)

Dodd's interaction in the derelict building where he is quickly subdued by Leonard.

Why: The scene lacks depth and does not provide a strong display of Dodd’s character.

Suggestions:

Enhance Dodd's presence in this scene by adding backstory or motivation.
Introduce tension to illustrate the consequences of his manipulations.

Identified Themes

Theme

Theme Details

Theme Explanation

Memory and Identity

70%

The protagonist, Leonard, has anterograde amnesia, which means he cannot form new memories. This leads to him struggling to remember who he is and what happened to his wife. He relies on notes, Polaroids, and tattoos to try to piece together his past.

The theme of memory and identity explores how our memories shape who we are. Leonard's amnesia forces him to question who he is and what his purpose is. He must learn to rely on others and to trust his own instincts in order to find out the truth about his past.

Strengthening Memory and Identity

Suggestion Type	How to Strengthen the Theme
Visual	Incorporate more close-up shots of Leonard's Polaroids and notes, highlighting the fragmented nature of his memory.
Character Arc Scene Throughout	Emphasize Leonard's internal struggle to reconcile his fragmented memories with his desire to uncover the truth and find closure.
Dialogue Scene Initial scenes	Add dialogue that explores the psychological impact of anterograde amnesia on Leonard's perception of reality and his interactions with others.
Action Scene Key moments	Incorporate scenes where Leonard physically interacts with objects or performs actions that symbolize his fragmented memory and search for identity, such as tattooing key information on his body.
Story Arc Scene Climax	Explore the theme of identity by revealing a twist or unexpected resolution that challenges Leonard's understanding of his past and present, forcing him to confront the true nature of his memory.

Violence and Revenge

50%

The film is filled with violence, both physical and psychological. Leonard is constantly being threatened and attacked, and he must use violence to protect himself. He also seeks revenge against the man he believes killed his wife.

The theme of violence and revenge explores the destructive nature of violence. Leonard's quest for revenge leads him down a dark path, and he ultimately realizes that violence is not the answer.

Love and Loss

40%

Leonard is grieving the loss of his wife, and he struggles to move on. He meets Natalie, a woman who also lost someone she loved, and they find solace in each other.

The theme of love and loss explores the power of love and the pain of loss. Leonard and Natalie's relationship shows that even in the darkest of times, love can provide hope and healing.

Trust and Betrayal

30%

Leonard struggles to trust anyone, including himself. He has been betrayed by his wife, his friends, and even his own mind. He must learn to trust again in order to find out the truth about his past.

The theme of trust and betrayal explores the importance of trust in relationships. Leonard's journey shows that trust can be difficult to give, but it is essential for finding love, happiness, and peace.

Screenwriting Resources on Themes

Articles

Site	Description
Studio Binder	Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters
Coverfly	Improving your Screenplay's theme
John August	Writing from Theme

YouTube Videos

Title	Description
Story, Plot, Genre, Theme - Screenwriting Basics	Screenwriting basics - beginner video
What is theme	Discussion on ways to layer theme into a screenplay.
Thematic Mistakes You're Making in Your Script	Common Theme mistakes and Philosophical Conflicts

Robert McKee: "The audience doesn’t go to the movies to see plot; they go to feel emotion, to be moved."

Scene by Scene Emotions

Goals and Philosophical Conflict
internal Goals	The protagonist's internal goals revolve around uncovering the truth about his past and identity, seeking revenge for his wife's murder, understanding his memory loss, coming to terms with loss, and grappling with guilt and responsibility.
External Goals	The protagonist's external goals include investigating the abandoned building, confronting Teddy, tracking down John G., navigating dangerous encounters, and finding closure and justice for his wife's murder.
Philosophical Conflict	The overarching philosophical conflict revolves around memory, truth, identity, trust, control, and the nature of reality, challenging the protagonist's beliefs and perception of the world.

Character Development Contribution: The protagonist's internal and external goals drive his development as he grapples with his past, memory loss, and the search for truth and justice, leading to a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Narrative Structure Contribution: The goals and conflicts drive the narrative structure by creating tension, mystery, and suspense as the protagonist navigates through conflicting memories, unreliable information, and dangerous encounters, keeping the audience engaged and guessing.

Thematic Depth Contribution: The goals and conflicts deepen the thematic exploration of memory, identity, truth, justice, and the complexities of human emotions and relationships, adding layers of depth and complexity to the screenplay's themes.

Screenwriting Resources on Goals and Philosophical Conflict

Articles

Site	Description
Creative Screenwriting	How Important Is A Character’s Goal?
Studio Binder	What is Conflict in a Story? A Quick Reminder of the Purpose of Conflict

YouTube Videos

Title	Description
How I Build a Story's Philosophical Conflict	How do you build philosophical conflict into your story? Where do you start? And how do you develop it into your characters and their external actions. Today I’m going to break this all down and make it fully clear in this episode.
Endings: The Good, the Bad, and the Insanely Great	By Michael Arndt: I put this lecture together in 2006, when I started work at Pixar on Toy Story 3. It looks at how to write an "insanely great" ending, using Star Wars, The Graduate, and Little Miss Sunshine as examples. 90 minutes
Tips for Writing Effective Character Goals	By Jessica Brody (Save the Cat!): Writing character goals is one of the most important jobs of any novelist. But are your character's goals...mushy?

Scene Analysis

Scene-Level Percentile Chart

📊 Understanding Your Percentile Rankings

Your scene scores are compared against professional produced screenplays in our vault (The Matrix, Breaking Bad, etc.). The percentile shows where you rank compared to these films.

Example: A score of 8.5 in Dialogue might be 85th percentile (strong!), while the same 8.5 in Conflict might only be 50th percentile (needs work). The percentile tells you what your raw scores actually mean.

💡

Hover over each axis on the radar chart to see what that category measures and why it matters.

i Understanding Scene Scores

Scenes are rated on many criteria. The goal isn't to try to maximize every number; it's to make you aware of what's happening in your scenes. You might have very good reasons to have character development but not advance the story, or have a scene without conflict. Obviously if your dialogue is really bad, you should probably look into that.

Abbreviate Headers

Story Content

Character Development

Scene Elements

Audience Engagement

Technical Aspects

			Story Content			Character Development				Scene Elements					Audience Engagement				Technical Aspects
Click for Full Analysis	Tone	Overall	Concept	Plot	Originality	Characters	Character Changes	Internal Goal	External Goal	Conflict	Opposition	High stakes	Story forward	Twist	Emotional Impact	Dialogue	Engagement	Pacing	Formatting	Structure
1 - Aftermath	Suspenseful, Dark, Intense	8	8	8	9	7	6	8	7	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	9	8	8	8
2 - Leonard's Revenge	Intense, Suspenseful, Dark	9	8	9	9	9	8	9	8	10	8	10	9	8	9	9	9	9	9	9
3 - Anterograde Amnesia	Tense, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Intense	8	8	8	9	7	8	8	7	9	7	9	9	8	8	9	9	8	8	8
4 - The Revelation	Intense, Suspenseful, Dark, Emotional	9	9	9	9	8	8	8	7	9	7	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8
5 - Memory and Vengeance	Suspenseful, Intense, Emotional	8	8	8	9	8	7	8	7	9	8	8	9	8	8	9	9	8	8	8
6 - Uncovering Clues and Confusion	Tense, Mysterious, Intense, Conflicted	8	8	8	9	7	7	8	7	8	7	7	8	8	7	7	9	8	8	8
7 - City Grill Encounter	Intense, Suspenseful, Reflective	8	8	8	9	7	8	8	7	8	7	7	8	8	7	8	9	8	8	8
8 - The Memory Thief	null	0	0	0	9	0	0	9	8	0	8	0	0	8	0	0	9	8	8	8
9 - Leonard's Memory Lapse	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Emotional	8	8	8	9	7	7	8	7	9	7	9	9	8	8	7	9	8	8	8
10 - Leonard and Natalie: A Suspicious Encounter	Intense, Suspenseful, Emotional	9	9	8	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	9	9	8	9	9	9	8	8	8
11 - Leonard's Loneliness	Intense, Emotional, Suspenseful	9	8	9	9	9	8	8	7	9	7	8	9	7	9	8	9	8	8	8
12 - Leonard's Motel Mystery	Suspenseful, Intense, Confused, Frightened	8	8	9	9	7	6	8	7	9	7	8	9	8	7	6	9	8	8	8
13 - Discovery and Dilemma	Tense, Suspenseful, Confrontational, Mysterious	8	8	8	9	8	7	8	7	9	8	9	8	8	8	9	9	8	8	8
14 - The Parking Lot Encounter	Suspenseful, Intense, Confrontational, Mysterious	8	8	8	9	8	7	8	7	9	7	8	9	8	8	9	9	8	8	8
15 - Pressure and Violence	Intense, Suspenseful, Dark, Emotional	9	8	9	9	8	8	8	7.5	9	8	9	9	9	9	8	9	8.5	8	8
16 - Confrontation at the Motel	Intense, Suspenseful, Tense, Desperate	9	8	9	8	8	7	8	9	9	8	9	9	8	8	7	9	9	9	9
17 - Confrontation in the Parking Lot	Suspenseful, Intense, Emotional, Dark	8	8	7	9	8	7	8	7	8	8	7	8	8	9	7	9	8	8	8
18 - Cocaine in the Bathroom	Tense, Suspenseful, Confused, Intriguing	8	8	8	9	7	7	8	7	8	7	8	8	8	7	7	9	8	8	8
19 - Leonard's Motel Encounter	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Emotional	8	8	7	9	9	7	8	7.5	7	8	7	8	9	8	8	9	8.5	8	8
20 - Memory Maze	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Intriguing	9	9	9	9	8	7	8	7	9	8	9	9	9	8	9	9	8	8	8
21 - Anterograde Amnesia	Suspenseful, Intense, Emotional, Intriguing	8	8	8	9	9	8	8	7	9	8	8	9	8	8	8	9	8	8	8
22 - Leonard and Natalie's Confrontation	Tense, Suspenseful, Emotional, Agitated	8	8	9	9	8	7	8	9	9	8	9	9	8	8	7	9	9	9	9
23 - Money, Murder, and Mayhem	Intense, Emotional, Tense, Confrontational, Suspenseful	9	8	9	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	9	9	9	9	9	9	8	8	8
24 - An Unbelievable Search	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Intriguing	8	8	7	9	8	6	8	7.5	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	9	8.5	8	8
25 - A Night of Violence and Suspicion	Tense, Suspenseful, Dark, Mysterious	9	8	9	9	8	7	8	7	9	8	9	9	8	8	7	9	8	8	8
26 - Mysterious Messages	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Dark	8	8	7	9	8	7	8	7.5	8	8	7	8	9	7	8	9	8.5	8	8
27 - Memory and Mystery at Ferdy's Bar	Suspenseful, Intense, Confused, Emotional	8	8	8	9	9	7	8	7.5	7	8	7	8	9	8	8	9	8	8	8
28 - A Troubled Mind	Anxious, Frightened, Casual	8	8	8	9	7	7	8	7	9	7	9	9	8	8	7	9	8	8	8
29 - Memories and a Tragic Twist	Anxious, Suspenseful, Reflective, Emotional	8	9	8	9	7	7	8	7	7	7	7	8	8	9	7	9	8	8	8
30 - Interrupted Tattoo Session	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Emotional	8	8	7	8	8	7	8	7	8	7	7	8	7	8	7	8	8	9	9
31 - Flight Plan	Suspenseful, Conspiratorial, Intense	8	8	8	9	7	7	8	7.5	9	8	8	9	8	7	7	9	9	8	8.5
32 - Leonard's Escape	Suspenseful, Intriguing, Mysterious	8	8	8	9	7	7	8	7.5	8	8	8	9	9	7	7	9	8.5	9	9
33 - Confrontation at the Derelict Building	Suspenseful, Tense, Mysterious	8	8	8	9	9	7	8	7	9	8	8	8	8	7	8	9	8	8	8
34 - Deadly Descent	Intense, Suspenseful, Dark, Emotional	9	8	9	9	9	8	8	7	9	8	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8
35 - The Basement Confrontation	Tense, Suspenseful, Confrontational, Revealing	9	9	9	9	8	7	8	7	9	8	9	9	8	8	9	9	8	8	8
36 - A Question of Reality	Tense, Confrontational, Revealing, Emotional	9	9	8	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	9	9	9	8	9	8	8	8
37 - Escape from the Parking Lot	Intense, Suspenseful, Dark, Mysterious	9	9	9	9	8	8	8	7	9	8	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8
38 - Leonard's Introspection	Confusion, Suspense, Emotional, Reflective	9	9	9	9	8	8	8	7	9	7	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8
39 - Earl's Morning Reflections	Suspenseful, Intense, Emotional, Dark	9	9	8	9	9	8	8	7	9	8	9	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8
40 - Awakening in Mystery	Suspenseful, Intense, Mysterious, Reflective	9	9	8	9	8	7	8	7	7	8	8	8	8	8	7	9	8	8	8
41 - The Tattooed Message	Suspenseful, Intense, Dark, Mysterious	9	9	9	9	8	8	8	7	9	8	9	9	8	8	8	9	8	8	8
42 - Earl's Contemplations in the Car	Mysterious, Intense, Reflective, Dark	8	8	8	9	7	8	8	7	8	7	8	8	8	7	7	9	8	8	8

Summary of Scene Level Analysis

Here are insights from the scene-level analysis, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and actionable suggestions.
Some points may appear in both strengths and weaknesses due to scene variety.
Tip: Click on criteria in the top row for detailed summaries.

Scene Strengths

Engaging dialogue
Intriguing plot twists
Complex characters
Emotional depth
Tension-filled atmosphere

Scene Weaknesses

Some ambiguity in character motivations
Complexity may be overwhelming for some viewers
Some scenes may be confusing for viewers unfamiliar with nonlinear storytelling style
Some elements may be confusing for the audience
Some dialogue may feel repetitive or expository

Suggestions

Consider adding more clarity to character motivations and plot points
Simplify storytelling style to make it more accessible to wider audience
Avoid repetitive exposition and overly expository dialogue
Work on deepening character development and emotional impact
Ensure that violent content is necessary and serves a purpose in the story

Sequence Analysis

Sequence-Level Percentile Chart

📊 Understanding Your Percentile Rankings

Your sequence scores are compared against professional produced screenplays in our vault (The Matrix, Breaking Bad, etc.). The percentile shows where you rank compared to these films.

Example: A score of 8.5 in Plot Progress might be 85th percentile (strong!), while the same 8.5 in Stakes might only be 50th percentile (needs work). The percentile tells you what your raw scores actually mean.

💡

Hover over each axis on the radar chart to see what that category measures and why it matters.

i Understanding Sequence Scores

Sequences are analyzed as Hero Goal Sequences as defined by Eric Edson—structural units where your protagonist pursues a specific goal. These are rated on multiple criteria including momentum, pressure, character development, and narrative cohesion. The goal isn't to maximize every number; it's to make you aware of what's happening in each sequence. You might have very good reasons for a sequence to focus on character leverage rather than plot escalation, or to build emotional impact without heavy conflict. Use these metrics to understand your story's rhythm and identify where adjustments might strengthen your narrative.

Hub view: scan scores fast → click a row for full sequence analysis.

Abbreviate headers

Columns

Sequence	Scenes	Overall	Momentum			Pressure		Emotion/Tone		Shape/Cohesion			Character/Arc			Novelty	Craft	Momentum			Pressure			Emotion/Tone		Shape/Cohesion			Character/Arc				Novelty	Craft
Sequence	Scenes	Overall	Plot Progress	Pacing	Keep Reading	Escalation	Stakes	Emotional	Tone/Visual	Narrative Shape	Impact	Memorable	Char Leverage	Int Goal	Ext Goal	Originality	Readability	Plot Progress	Pacing	Keep Reading	Escalation	Stakes	Reveal Rhythm	Emotional	Tone/Visual	Narrative Shape	Impact	Memorable	Char Leverage	Int Goal	Ext Goal	Subplots	Originality	Readability
Act One Overall: 9
1 - Derelict Confrontation	1 – 2	8.5	8	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	9	8	7	6	7	9	8	8	8	9	8	8	7	8	8	8	9	8	7	6	7	5	9	8
2 - Target Acquisition	3 – 4	8.5	9	8	9	8	8	7	9	8	8	8	7	7	8	8	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	7	9	8	8	8	7	7	8	6	8	8
1 - Teddy's Execution	1 – 2	8.5	8	7	9	8	8	8	8	8	9	8	7	6	7	9	8	8	7	9	8	8	7	8	8	8	9	8	7	6	7	5	9	8
2 - The Suspicious Partnership	3	8	7	7	8	6	7	7	7	7	8	7	6	5	6	8	8	7	7	8	6	7	6	7	7	7	8	7	6	5	6	5	8	8
3 - Body Map Revelation	4	8.5	8	7	9	7	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	8	9	8	8	7	9	7	8	7	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	8	6	9	8
Act Two A Overall: 8.5
1 - Natalie's Envelope and Motel Discovery	5 – 6	8.5	8	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	8	8	8	8	7	8	7	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	8	6	8	8
2 - Sammy Jankis Investigation and Teddy's Warning	7 – 8	8.5	7	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	8	7	6	7	8	8	7	7	8	7	7	7	7	8	8	8	8	7	6	7	6	8	8
3 - Natalie's Alliance and Dodd Polaroid	9 – 11	8.5	8	7	8	7	7	8	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	8	8	8	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	6	8	8
4 - Dodd Extraction Operation	12 – 14	8.5	9	8	9	8	8	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	7	8	9	8	9	8	8	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	6	7	8
5 - Dodd's Revenge and Counter-Ambush	15 – 17	8.5	8	7	9	9	8	8	8	7	8	8	8	6	7	7	8	8	7	9	9	8	7	8	8	7	8	8	8	6	7	6	7	8
6 - Memory Experiment and Natalie Betrayal Setup	18 – 20	8	7	7	8	7	7	6	7	7	8	7	6	5	6	7	8	7	7	8	7	7	6	6	7	7	8	7	6	5	6	5	7	8
1 - Natalie Intel & Sammy Recall	5 – 7	8.5	8	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	8	8	8	7	8	7	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	6	8	8
2 - Sammy Investigation & Natalie Alliance	8 – 11	8.5	8	7	8	7	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	8	7	8	7	8	7	8	8	8	8	7	7	7	8	6	8	8
3 - Dodd Containment Crisis	12 – 14	8.5	9	8	8	8	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	7	8	9	8	8	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	6	7	8
4 - Dodd's Revenge & Counterattack	15 – 17	8.5	8	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	8	8	8	7	8	7	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	6	8	8
5 - Memory Systems & Trust Collapse	18 – 20	7.5	8	7	8	7	7	6	8	7	7	6	7	6	8	7	7	8	7	8	7	7	7	6	8	7	7	6	7	6	8	6	7	7
Act Two B Overall: 9
1 - Establishing Motive and Memory	21 – 25	8	7	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	8	8	7	7	8	7	7	7	7	8	8	8	7	7	6	7	6	8	8
2 - Clue Pursuit and Call Tension	26 – 29	8	7	6	8	7	7	7	7	7	8	7	6	6	6	7	7	7	6	8	7	7	6	7	7	7	8	7	6	6	6	5	7	7
3 - Tattoo Parlor Escape	30 – 32	8.5	9	7	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	6	8	8	8	9	7	9	8	8	7	8	8	8	8	7	7	6	8	6	8	8
4 - Derelict Building Confrontation	33 – 35	8.5	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	8	7	8	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	8	7	7	8
1 - Natalie's Gambit	21 – 27	7.5	8	6	8	7	7	7	8	7	7	6	7	6	7	7	7	8	6	8	7	7	7	7	8	7	7	6	7	6	7	6	7	7
2 - Sammy's Shadow	28 – 29	6.5	7	6	7	6	6	6	5	6	6	6	5	5	6	7	7	7	6	7	6	6	6	6	5	6	6	6	5	5	6	6	7	7
3 - License to Kill	30 – 35	8.5	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	9	8	8	9	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	9	7	8	8
Act Three Overall: 9
1 - Identity Reinvention & Teddy Ditch	36 – 37	8.5	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	9	7	8	7	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	9	7	8	6	7	8
2 - Tattoo Trail Revelation	38	8.5	7	7	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	8	8	7	7	9	8	8	7	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	6	8	8
3 - Vengeance Branding	39 – 42	8.5	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	7	8	9	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	6	7	8
1 - Teddy Confrontation & Identity Shift	36 – 37	8.5	9	8	9	8	9	9	8	8	8	8	9	7	8	8	8	9	8	9	8	9	7	9	8	8	8	8	9	7	8	6	8	8
2 - Tattoo Pursuit & Existential Trigger	38	8.5	7	7	8	6	7	8	8	7	8	8	7	7	6	8	8	7	7	8	6	7	7	8	8	7	8	8	7	7	6	5	8	8
3 - Memory Trigger & Tattoo Ritual	39 – 42	8.5	8	7	8	7	7	8	8	7	8	8	7	7	6	7	8	8	7	8	7	7	7	8	8	7	8	8	7	7	6	5	7	8

World Building

Physical environment: The world depicted in the screenplay is characterized by a sense of decay, violence, and mystery. The physical environment often reflects the characters' inner struggles and mental states, with dark, shadowy settings and claustrophobic spaces. The use of derelict buildings, rundown motels, and gritty urban environments contributes to the overall atmosphere of unease and uncertainty.
Culture: The screenplay explores themes of crime, violence, and revenge, reflecting a darker and more complex societal structure. Characters operate in a morally ambiguous world, where loyalty and betrayal are often intertwined. The prevalence of tattoos and Polaroid photographs, as well as the use of handwritten notes and memory aids, suggest a society grappling with trauma and memory loss.
Society: The screenplay portrays a society that is fragmented and distrustful, with individuals struggling to find their place and make sense of their experiences. Characters often operate on the fringes of society, resorting to violence and deception to survive. The film also delves into themes of mental illness and memory loss, highlighting the challenges of navigating a world where reality is subjective and constantly shifting.
Technology: The screenplay uses technology as a means of exploring themes of identity, memory, and control. The use of Polaroid photographs, phone calls, and surveillance equipment reflects the characters' attempts to document and make sense of their experiences. The unreliable nature of technology, as seen in the manipulation of phone calls and the difficulty of trusting information, adds to the overall sense of uncertainty and paranoia.
Characters influence: The world elements in the screenplay shape the characters' experiences and actions in significant ways. The physical environment, with its sense of decay and violence, mirrors the characters' inner turmoil and struggles for survival. The cultural elements, such as the societal emphasis on crime and revenge, drive the characters' motivations and actions. The societal structure, with its fragmented and distrustful nature, affects the characters' relationships and sense of belonging. The technological elements, such as the use of Polaroid photographs and phone calls, influence the characters' attempts to understand and control their experiences.
Narrative contribution: The world elements contribute to the narrative by creating a sense of atmosphere and tension that drives the story forward. The physical environment often serves as a backdrop for the characters' confrontations and struggles, contributing to the overall suspense and intensity of the plot. The societal structure and cultural elements provide context for the characters' motivations and actions, shaping the narrative arc and character development. The technological elements, such as the use of Polaroid photographs and phone calls, play a crucial role in the characters' attempts to piece together their memories and uncover the truth.
Thematic depth contribution: The world elements contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by exploring complex themes related to identity, memory, and the nature of reality. The use of decay and violence in the physical environment, the themes of crime and revenge in the cultural elements, and the exploration of memory loss and fractured identities in the societal structure all contribute to a deeper examination of what it means to be human and how we navigate the complexities of life.

Voice Analysis
Summary:	The writer's unique voice is characterized by its blend of mystery, intrigue, and psychological depth. The writing style is characterized by sparse dialogue, fragmented narrative techniques, and the use of evocative descriptions and imagery, creating a sense of suspense and uncertainty.
Voice Contribution	The writer's voice contributes to the script by enhancing the mood of mystery and suspense, highlighting the themes of memory and identity, and adding depth to the characters' internal struggles.
Best Representation Scene	23 - Money, Murder, and Mayhem
Best Scene Explanation	This scene effectively showcases the writer's unique voice through its blend of suspense, mystery, and psychological depth. The fragmented narrative, sparse dialogue, and use of evocative descriptions create a palpable sense of tension and uncertainty.

Style and Similarities

The screenplay exhibits a notable blend of introspective, non-linear storytelling with an emphasis on psychological depth and thematic complexity. It draws inspiration from the distinctive styles of several renowned screenwriters and authors, primarily Christopher Nolan and David Fincher.

Style Similarities:

Writer	Explanation
Christopher Nolan	Nolan's influence is evident throughout the screenplay, with multiple scenes showcasing his signature non-linear narratives, mind-bending concepts of memory and identity, and exploration of moral dilemmas.
David Fincher	Fincher's dark and suspenseful style is also prominently reflected, with scenes characterized by gritty atmosphere, complex character dynamics, and a focus on psychological tension and thrill.

Other Similarities: In addition to Nolan and Fincher, the screenplay also demonstrates influences from other notable screenwriters and authors.

Top Correlations and patterns found in the scenes:

Pattern	Explanation
Intense and Suspenseful Scenes	The screenplay is heavily reliant on intense and suspenseful scenes, which appear in over 70% of the scenes. These scenes often feature high stakes, emotional impact, and conflict, which help drive the plot forward and keep the audience engaged.
Emotional Impact and Dialogue	Scenes with a strong emotional impact tend to have higher dialogue scores, indicating that the dialogue in these scenes is particularly effective in conveying the characters' emotions and motivations.
Scene Length and Character Changes	Longer scenes tend to have more character changes, suggesting that the author takes the time to develop the characters and their relationships over the course of the story.
Tone and Emotional Impact	Scenes with a dark or intense tone often have a stronger emotional impact on the audience, highlighting the author's ability to create a sense of atmosphere and tension.
Conflict and Character Development	Scenes with high stakes and conflict often lead to significant character development, as the characters are forced to confront their challenges and make difficult choices.

Writer's Craft Overall Analysis

The provided scenes showcase a strong foundation in storytelling and an ability to convey complex themes and emotions through dialogue, descriptions, and narrative structure. The writer effectively utilizes techniques such as nonlinear storytelling, unreliable narrators, and introspective monologues to create a compelling and immersive reading experience. However, certain areas, such as character development, pacing, and dialogue, could benefit from further refinement.

Key Improvement Areas

Character Development

While the scenes introduce intriguing characters, their motivations, backstories, and inner conflicts could be further explored and fleshed out to create more depth and emotional connection.

Pacing

Some scenes may benefit from a tighter pacing and a more efficient use of description and dialogue to maintain a balanced and engaging narrative flow.

Dialogue

While the dialogue effectively conveys emotions and conflicts, it could be further refined to enhance character voices, motivations, and subtext, making interactions more authentic and impactful.

Suggestions

Type	Suggestion	Rationale
Screenplay	Study screenplays known for their strong character development, such as 'The Social Network' by Aaron Sorkin or 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' by Charlie Kaufman.	These screenplays offer valuable insights into crafting well-rounded characters with complex motivations and emotional depth.
Video	Watch interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of screenwriters discussing pacing and narrative structure.	Understanding the techniques and thought processes behind effective pacing can help improve the flow and impact of your own storytelling.
Exercise	Practice writing dialogue-driven scenes that explore character dynamics and subtext.Practice In SceneProv	This exercise will enhance your ability to create authentic and engaging dialogue that reveals character motivations and drives the narrative forward.

Additional Notes: Overall, the screenplay demonstrates a unique and promising voice, but with further attention to character development, pacing, and dialogue refinement, the writer can elevate their craft and create even more captivating and memorable storytelling experiences.

Here are different Tropes found in the screenplay

Trope	Trope Details	Trope Explanation
Amnesia	Leonard has anterograde amnesia and is trying to find the man who killed his wife.	Amnesia is a loss of memory, usually caused by trauma or brain injury. It can be temporary or permanent.
Film Noir	The film is shot in a dark and gritty style, and the characters are often morally ambiguous.	Film noir is a genre of film that is characterized by its dark and pessimistic tone, its focus on crime and corruption, and its use of chiaroscuro lighting.
Neo-Noir	The film is a modern take on the film noir genre, with a focus on psychological themes.	Neo-noir is a subgenre of film noir that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. It is characterized by its more stylized and self-referential approach to the genre, and its focus on psychological themes.
Unreliable Narrator	Leonard is an unreliable narrator, and the audience is never sure what is real and what is not.	An unreliable narrator is a narrator whose account of events cannot be trusted. This can be due to the narrator's bias, mental illness, or simply because they are lying.
Memento Mori	The film is full of reminders of death, such as the Polaroids of the dead body.	Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means "remember that you will die." It is often used in art and literature to remind people of the inevitability of death.
MacGuffin	The Polaroids are a MacGuffin, or an object that is important to the characters but has no real value.	A MacGuffin is an object that is important to the characters in a story, but has no real value or significance. It is often used to drive the plot forward.
Red Herring	Teddy is a red herring, or a character who is introduced to throw the audience off the scent of the real killer.	A red herring is a character or event that is introduced to mislead the audience. It is often used to create suspense or confusion.
Twists and Turns	The film is full of twists and turns, and the audience is never sure what is going to happen next.	Twists and turns are unexpected events that occur in a story. They are often used to keep the audience engaged and guessing.
Dark and Gritty	The film is dark and gritty, and the world is a harsh and unforgiving place.	Dark and gritty is a genre of film that is characterized by its dark and pessimistic tone, its focus on violence and crime, and its use of chiaroscuro lighting.
Psychological Thriller	The film is a psychological thriller, and the audience is kept on the edge of their seat as they try to figure out what is going to happen next.	A psychological thriller is a genre of film that focuses on the psychological effects of crime and violence. It often involves suspenseful and intense scenes.

Memorable lines in the script:

Scene Number	Line
2	Leonard: YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID! YOU BEG FORGIVENESS, THEN YOU PAY!
20	Teddy: Don’t believe his lies
34	Leonard: I want my fucking life back!
41	Unknown: I RAPED AND KILLED YOUR WIFE.
24	Leonard: NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE

Some Loglines to consider:

A man with short-term memory loss uses tattoos and notes to hunt for his wife's killer, but his fragmented memories and unreliable allies lead him down a dark and twisted path.
Trapped in a world of ten-minute intervals, a former insurance investigator with anterograde amnesia pieces together clues tattooed on his own body to find his wife's murderer.
Reality becomes a puzzle for a man with no short-term memory as he navigates a labyrinth of deceit and manipulation in his desperate search for vengeance.
Memento is a psychological thriller that turns the traditional revenge story on its head, exploring the nature of memory and the elusiveness of truth.
As he seeks revenge for his wife's death, a man with a unique form of amnesia discovers that the most unreliable narrator is himself.
A man with short-term memory loss uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife.
In a story told backward, a man with a broken memory seeks justice for the murder he can never forget.
A reverse chronological thriller where a man's quest to avenge his wife's death is hindered by his inability to form new memories.
Each moment is a clue in 'Memento,' a thriller that challenges a man with amnesia to solve a murder backward.
Memory is deceptive in 'Memento,' where a man reconstructs his past in the search for his wife's killer.

Help & FAQ

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Start with the executive summary to get a bird's eye view.
After that, the high-level menu will offer insights into the story, themes, and characters.
The scene-by-scene analysis will demonstrate how each scene performs across various criteria, summarized in the column headings.
Click on any scene title to view the full analysis, including critiques and suggestions for improvement.
'Other Analyses' provides various insights into your writing and different perspectives, although it might not lead to significant rewrites of your script.

Click on the Print Analysis link in the left menu. You can then print to PDF or save it as PDF.

Click the Scene Analysis link on the left menu. Next to each scene title you can click "improve". In the improve page you can select any scene from your script to work on.

Yes. You own the rights to your script. We do not claim any ownership of your script. We're simply using it to generate the analysis.

No. We do not use your script to train our AI. The AI uses your script to generate the analysis and nothing else.

SceneProv is a game that helps you improve your craft.
You can play it for free. If you have scripts analyzed, the AI might recommend exercises from SceneProv to help you improve your writing. Go to the craft tab to see what it recommended.
Let the AI take a turn when you're blocked or you want to riff on a scene. Each scene you create in SceneProv gets graded at the end.

The maximum length of a screenplay is 160 pages.

Unfortunately it's a known issue for the time being. Fixing this is on the roadmap.

If you're having trouble uploading your script, please email us at '[email protected]'

The goal of ScriptReader.ai is not 100% comprehension, but rather to assist you in improving your script and craft. The valuable insights should still be many. ScriptReader.ai is a tool with a bit of getting used to. We're trying to make the learning curve as easy as possible. If you have any suggestions, please email us at [email protected]

Two common issues are:
- The email might have gone to your spam folder or is hidden in an email thread.
- The process might still be ongoing. Register/Login with the email you used during upload and look at the status. It sometimes takes as long as a couple hours. If it's been longer than that email us at [email protected]

Feature Request

Got an idea to improve our service? We'd love to hear it!

Scene Map

Memento

Overview

Unique Selling Point

AI Verdict & Suggestions

Story Facts

Script Level Analysis

Screenplay Insights

Story Critique

Characters

Emotional Analysis

Goals and Philosophical Conflict

Themes

Logic & Inconsistencies

Scene Analysis

Scene Level Percentiles

Other Analyses

Unique Voice

Writer's Craft

Memorable Lines

Tropes

World Building

Correlations

Loglines

Unique Voice

Writer's Craft

Memorable Lines

Tropes

World Building

Correlations

Loglines

Script•o•Scope

Pass / Consider / Recommend Analysis

Gemini

Executive Summary

GPT4

Executive Summary

Summary

Scene by Scene Summaries

📊 Script Snapshot

What's Working

Where to Focus

📊 Understanding Your Percentile Rankings

Key Strengths

Key Strengths

Areas to Improve

Key Strengths

Areas to Improve

Key Strengths

Key Strengths

Areas to Improve

Key Strengths

Key Strengths

Screenplay Story Analysis

Leonard - Score: 81/100

Role

Personality

Scenes

Character Analysis Overview

Foundational Definition 9/10

Complexity And Depth 8/10

Arc Or Purposeful Stasis 8/10

Dialogue And Voice 7/10

Behavior And Choices 8/10

Relationship Dynamics 7/10

Scene Impact 9/10

Role Fulfillment 8/10

Thematic Plot Integration 9/10

Emotional Resonance 8/10

Score: 9

Suggestions

Follow-up Questions

Score: 8

Suggestions

Follow-up Questions

Score: 8

Suggestions

Follow-up Questions

Score: 7

Suggestions