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

Officials learn the comet remains intact; Orlean and Isherwell leave the control room as staff abandon their posts.

Scene 185 of 205 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Flight Director
President Orlean
Peter Isherwell
Jason
Command Tech
Man

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:57 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 185

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.
Scenes 123–164
The mission turns back; BASH substitutes mining for deflection, Kate is silenced, Randall’s family breaks apart, and a rival mission fails.
Scenes 165–181
Kate and Randall see the comet themselves, reconnect, and return to June’s home as the BEAD mission begins.
Just before
Scene 182
The remaining BEAD drones drill into the comet and detonate in a bright flash.
Scene 183
Orlean and the BASH launch team watch tensely as the explosives go off.
Scene 184
At dinner, the family welcomes Randall home and jokes about his sudden fame.
Scene 185
This scene

185INT. BASH LAUNCH CENTER - MISSION CONTROL - SAME TIME

FLIGHT DIRECTOR

Still waiting for a full status

report on the explosive devices.

PRESIDENT ORLEAN

(just to Isherwell)

President Xi of China just texted

me. The comet is still whole.

FLIGHT DIRECTOR

We’re seeing four misfires and sync

was off...

PRESIDENT ORLEAN

(just to Isherwell)

It’s still intact...

PETER ISHERWELL

Okay... We’re all fine. Everyone’s

fine. If you’ll excuse me. Nature

calls. I’m going to the restroom

for a moment.

Isherwell leaves the room.

PRESIDENT ORLEAN

Yes, I think that I should also

step out to the restroom for a

moment.

She also leaves.

JASON

(to President Orlean)

Should I...?

PRESIDENT ORLEAN

No I’ll be right back.

The Flight Director turns to where the President should be. Only Jason is there.

FLIGHT DIRECTOR

(to Jason)

Sir, the President. We need to know

what the mission status is.

JASON

She’s coming right back.

A Command Tech stands up.

COMMAND TECH

Screw this! I’m going to see my

husband!

She runs out. Some other people start to run out too.

FLIGHT DIRECTOR

Sorry, I’ve got a 20-year-old

daughter. I’ve got to go see her.

The rest of the crew clamors in panic.

MAN

I’m doing an 8-ball!