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

Oglethorpe learns that Russia, India, and China’s separate deflection attempt exploded and failed, leaving only BASH’s mission.

Scene 164 of 205 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Last scene of act two

Plot Point II
Save the Cat: All Is Lost
Dr. Oglethorpe
Kate
Randall

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:47 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 164

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 161
Oglethorpe and students chant for the university to divest from BASH before campus police escort him out.
Scene 162
Riley sings the bridge of “Just Look Up” as the concert continues.
Scene 163
Kate and Yule spray-paint “JUST LOOK UP” on a bank window.
Scene 164
This scene

164INT. JUST LOOK UP HEADQUARTERS - 3 DAYS LATER

Dr. Oglethorpe picks up a call.

DR. OGLETHORPE

Hey, good afternoon, Adam. What do

I owe the pleasure of this call?

His face falls.

DR. OGLETHORPE (CONT'D)

What time?

Quick cut to VT: HELICOPTER FOOTAGE OF A GIANT CLOUD OVER A RUSSIAN BASE.

DR. OGLETHORPE (CONT'D)

Well uh... well, thank you for

calling.

He hangs up. A grim look on his face. The rest of the team continues to work. Kate looks up and walks over.

KATE

What? What?

Randall walks up.

DR. OGLETHORPE

Orlean and BASH cut Russia, India,

and China out of the rights for the

minerals. So they tried their own

joint deflection mission.

But approximately 40 minutes ago a

massive explosion was detected at

the Russian’s Baikonur launch

complex. It looks like the mission

failed.

The bustling office goes quiet.

RANDALL

That’s it?

KATE

Wait, what do you mean “that’s it?”

Teddy?

DR. OGLETHORPE

There’s still the BASH mission.

It’s all we have now.

Randall walks away from Kate and Dr. Oglethorpe.

RANDALL

FUCK!!!!!