Left Behind

A determined teenager fights to free her father from an unjust immigration detention system, exposing a dark network of private prisons and government corruption.

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Overview

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Unique Selling Point

The screenplay stands out for its emotional depth and timely exploration of immigration issues, combined with strong character development and a compelling narrative that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

AI Verdict & Suggestions

Ratings are subjective. So you get different engines’ ratings to compare.

Claude
 Recommend
GPT4
 Recommend
DeepSeek
 Recommend
Key Suggestions
To enhance the screenplay 'Left Behind,' focus on refining the pacing in key emotional scenes and ensuring that character motivations, particularly for secondary characters, are clearly defined. This will strengthen the narrative flow and deepen audience engagement with the story's themes of family and resilience amidst the immigration crisis.
Story Facts

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Family, Social Issues, Social Justice, Coming-of-age, Adventure, Action, Political, Slice of Life, Mystery, Legal

Setting: Contemporary, Arizona and various locations in the United States, including Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

Themes: Family and Bonding, Systemic Injustice, Resilience and Determination, Moral Awakening, Personal Sacrifice

Conflict & Stakes: The struggle against the immigration system, focusing on Miguel's detention and Sofia's fight to reunite with him, with their family's future at stake.

Mood: Tense and emotional, with moments of hope and resilience.

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The story centers on the personal impact of immigration policies on families, making it both timely and relatable.
  • Plot Twist: Agent Hawthorne's transformation from an ICE agent to a whistleblower adds depth and complexity to the narrative.
  • Innovative Ideas: The use of a podcast as a narrative device to raise awareness and mobilize support for the characters' plight.
  • Distinctive Settings: The contrast between the stark environments of detention centers and the warmth of family moments highlights the emotional stakes.

Comparable Scripts: The Hate U Give, A Better Life, The Book of Unknown Americans, In the Heights, The Good Place, The Kite Runner, The Pursuit of Happyness, Roma, The Breadwinner

Script Level Analysis

This section delivers a top-level assessment of the screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses — covering overall quality (P/C/R/HR), character development, emotional impact, thematic depth, narrative inconsistencies, and the story’s core philosophical conflict. It helps identify what’s resonating, what needs refinement, and how the script aligns with professional standards.

Screenplay Insights

Breaks down your script along various categories.

Overall Score: 7.81
To enhance the emotional impact of 'Left Behind,' focus on refining character interactions and deepening the antagonist's development. By providing more backstory and motivations for Agent Hawthorne, you can create a more nuanced conflict that elevates the stakes. Additionally, tightening scenes that feel drawn out will maintain momentum and ensure that emotional moments resonate more powerfully with the audience.
Story Critique

Big-picture feedback on the story’s clarity, stakes, cohesion, and engagement.

To enhance the screenplay, focus on deepening character arcs, particularly Miguel's internal conflicts, and introducing unexpected twists that challenge motivations. This will create a more complex narrative that resonates emotionally with the audience. Additionally, ensure that the resolution feels earned and reflective of the characters' journeys, avoiding oversimplification of the immigration system's complexities.
Characters

Explores the depth, clarity, and arc of the main and supporting characters.

To enhance the emotional depth and complexity of the characters, particularly Sofia and Miguel, consider incorporating more moments of vulnerability and internal conflict. This will not only make their journeys more relatable but also strengthen the audience's emotional connection to their struggles. Additionally, exploring the backstories of these characters can provide greater context for their motivations and decisions, enriching the narrative overall.
Emotional Analysis

Breaks down the emotional journey of the audience across the script.

Goals and Philosophical Conflict

Evaluates character motivations, obstacles, and sources of tension throughout the plot.

To enhance the script's emotional impact and character depth, consider further developing the internal conflicts of both Miguel and Sofia. Their journeys from fear to empowerment are compelling, but adding more nuanced moments of vulnerability and resilience can create a stronger connection with the audience. Additionally, refining the pacing of the narrative to balance tension and character development will help maintain engagement throughout the screenplay.
Themes

Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.

To enhance the script, focus on deepening the emotional connections between characters, particularly the father-daughter bond between Miguel and Sofia. This can be achieved by incorporating more intimate moments that showcase their love and resilience in the face of systemic injustice. Additionally, consider expanding the theme of moral awakening, particularly through Agent Hawthorne's character, to create a more nuanced exploration of the immigration system and its impact on individuals.
Logic & Inconsistencies

Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.

To enhance the script's emotional impact and narrative coherence, focus on character consistency and the flow of events. Ensure that Miguel's reactions align with his established persona as a protective father, and develop Sofia's emotional journey more gradually to avoid abrupt transitions. Additionally, clarify the timeline of Sofia's experiences post-arrest to maintain a cohesive narrative structure.

Scene Analysis

All of your scenes analyzed individually and compared, so you can zero in on what to improve.

Scene-Level Percentile Chart
Hover over the graph to see more details about each score.
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Other Analyses

This section looks at the extra spark — your story’s voice, style, world, and the moments that really stick. These insights might not change the bones of the script, but they can make it more original, more immersive, and way more memorable. It’s where things get fun, weird, and wonderfully you.

Unique Voice

Assesses the distinctiveness and personality of the writer's voice.

To enhance the script, consider deepening the emotional arcs of secondary characters to create a more layered narrative. While the primary relationship between Miguel and Sofia is well-developed, exploring the backstories and motivations of supporting characters can enrich the overall emotional landscape and provide additional perspectives on the immigration experience. This could also help balance the tone between humor and seriousness, ensuring that the stakes feel consistently high throughout the screenplay.
Writer's Craft

Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.

To enhance the screenplay, the writer should focus on deepening character development and refining dialogue to incorporate more subtext and emotional nuance. This will create richer interactions and elevate the emotional stakes of the narrative. Additionally, addressing pacing issues will help maintain audience engagement throughout the story.
Memorable Lines

Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.

The script effectively captures the emotional weight of the immigrant experience through powerful dialogue and character development. To enhance its impact, consider deepening the exploration of the characters' backstories and motivations, particularly for supporting characters like Carmen and Agent Hawthorne. This could provide a richer context for their actions and decisions, making the narrative even more compelling and relatable to the audience.
Tropes
Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.
World Building

Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.

To enhance the script's emotional impact, consider deepening the exploration of the characters' internal struggles and motivations, particularly in relation to their cultural backgrounds and familial bonds. This could involve more nuanced dialogue and interactions that reflect their resilience and determination in the face of systemic oppression. Additionally, integrating more moments of levity amidst the tension could provide a richer emotional palette, allowing audiences to connect more deeply with the characters' journeys.
Correlations

Identifies patterns in scene scores.

To enhance the emotional engagement of the script, focus on maintaining high stakes and emotional impact throughout key scenes. Ensure that character changes are closely tied to these emotional moments, as this correlation has proven effective in resonating with audiences. Additionally, consider refining dialogue quality to elevate overall scene grades, as strong dialogue is a critical factor in the screenplay's success.
Loglines
Presents logline variations based on theme, genre, and hook.