Don't Look Up · written by Adam McKay · 2021

Kate and Oglethorpe wait outside as Randall returns urgently from the meeting.

Scene 127 of 205 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Kate
Dr. Oglethorpe
Randall

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:14 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 127

After PhD candidate Kate Dibiasky discovers a comet on a direct collision course with Earth, she and Professor Randall Mindy try to persuade a politically distracted President, a media-saturated public, and a powerful technology company to stop it before impact.

Scenes 1–7
Kate and Randall work within the familiar routine of astronomy and university research.
Scenes 8–26
They discover the impact deadline and need the government and public to respond, but Orlean refuses immediate action.
Scenes 27–60
Kate and Oglethorpe take the warning outside official channels, entering the press and television world to reach the public.
Scenes 61–72
The scientists navigate conspiracy claims, arrest, and political reversal as Orlean finally announces a deflection mission.
Scenes 73–122
Their warning appears to win official action and a national launch, though Randall’s celebrity role and BASH’s access undermine the effort.
Scene 123
The shuttles turn back toward Earth, revealing that the administration has halted its announced defense.
Just before
Scene 124
Mission Control asks what happened to the mission.
Scene 125
Locked in a White House office, Kate and Oglethorpe learn Randall has been appointed chief science adviser while Kate is excluded.
Scene 126
At an emergency cabinet meeting, Isherwell reveals the comet’s mineral value and Orlean recasts it as an economic opportunity.
Scene 127
This scene

127INT. WHITE HOUSE OFFICE - SAME TIME

Teddy and Kate have eaten the Cheez-Bits and drank the water. They stare off, half asleep and half stricken with stress.

KATE

I’ve gone over it again and again

in my head and I still don’t get

it. He’s a three star General. He

works at the Pentagon. Why would he

charge us for the free snacks?

DR. OGLETHORPE

One time I met Sting and I swear to

God he farted right in front of me,

didn’t even break eye contact, and

didn’t even say excuse me. Thing

is, he actually pulled it off.

Because I still found him to be

quite charming.

The door opens. It’s Randall.

RANDALL

Guys let’s go! We have to go! NOW!!