The SUPERHERO Genre
BJ Markel
1 min read
A hero with a superpower (or compelling mission) faces a potent nemesis or catastrophic problem so large it challenges even their own mighty capabilities. These movies are about extraordinary people tested by the values of the world. Superhero stories give flight to our greatest fantasies about our potential, while tempering those fantasies with a dose of reality.
The 3 elements of a SUPERHERO story are:
1) The hero of your tale must have a special power—even if it’s just a mission to be great or do good.
2) The hero must be opposed by a nemesis of equal or greater force, who is the “self-made” version of the hero.
3) There must be a curse for the hero that they either surmount or succumb to as the price for who they are.
The Brutalist Beat Sheet Analysis
A detailed analysis of the film 'The Brutalist' using the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet from Save the Cat! See how 'The Brutalist' hits the Save the Cat! beats.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Beat Sheet for Writers
See how 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' hits the Save the Cat! story beats.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Beat Sheet Analysis
See how 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' hits the Save the Cat! story beats.
Deadpool Beat Sheet Analysis
See how the original Deadpool hits the 15 Save the Cat! story beats.
Ghostbusters Beat Sheet Analysis
See how the original Ghostbusters hits the Save the Cat! story beats!
Rustin Beat Sheet Analysis
See how the Oscar-nominated film "Rustin" hits the 15 Save the Cat! story beats.
Scarface (1983) Beat Sheet Analysis
See how Scarface, written by Oliver Stone, hits the 15 Save the Cat! story beats.
The Woman King Beat Sheet Analysis
See how The Woman King hits Blake Snyder’s 15 story beats!
Everything Everywhere All at Once Beat Sheet Analysis
See how Everything Everywhere All at Once hits Blake Snyder’s 15 story beats.
First Blood Beat Sheet Analysis
See the 15 Blake Snyder story beats of the Sylvester Stallone classic.
Load more
Share this article:
BJ Markel
BJ Markel first worked with Blake Snyder in 1986. He edited Blake's three Save the Cat! books and co-founded Blake Snyder Enterprises, LLC with Blake in 2005. In his other life, BJ worked in video acquisitions and entertainment marketing, including 20 years at the Walt Disney Company.
Upcoming Events
Try our free tools
Recommended books
Subscribe to Save the Cat! Newsletter
