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

Orlean tells a stadium rally that the “Just Look Up” movement wants people afraid.

Scene 154 of 205 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

President Orlean

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:43 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 154

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 151
Kate and Randall confirm by phone that they both see the comet as Yule prays and strangers look up.
Scene 152
Kate and Randall urge people online to look up and see the comet for themselves.
Scene 153
Randall tells a children’s-show puppet and actors that everyone will die and insults Orlean and Isherwell.
Scene 154
This scene

154INT. RALLY IN GIANT BASKETBALL STADIUM - NIGHT

President Orlean is on stage. Speaking to a crowd of 20 thousand supporters. Cheers and applause fill the stadium.

PRESIDENT ORLEAN

You know why they want you to look

up? Do you know why? Because they

want you to be afraid! They want

you to look up because they are

looking down their noses at you.

They think they’re better than you.