Carnival

When a group of teenagers explore an abandoned carnival, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish underworld that forces them to confront their deepest fears and personal demons, testing the bonds of their friendship and the strength of their families.

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Overview

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Unique Selling Point

The unique selling proposition of 'Carnival' lies in its blend of supernatural horror with deep character exploration. Unlike typical horror narratives that focus solely on scares, this screenplay delves into the psychological fears of its characters, making it relatable and thought-provoking. The juxtaposition of a haunted carnival with the personal struggles of the protagonists offers a fresh take on the genre, appealing to audiences who appreciate character-driven stories alongside thrilling elements.

AI Verdict & Suggestions

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

Claude
 Recommend
GPT4
 Recommend
Story Facts

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure, Drama, Supernatural, Crime, Action, Coming-of-age, Comedy

Setting: Contemporary, A suburban neighborhood and an abandoned carnival

Themes: Facing Fear and Overcoming Adversity, The Nature of Evil and Redemption, The Power of Family and the Importance of Connection

Conflict & Stakes: The primary conflict revolves around the boys' struggle against their fears and the supernatural dangers of the abandoned carnival, while their parents, Detective Reynolds and Don Salvatore, face their own fears and the urgency of finding their missing sons.

Mood: Tense and foreboding, with moments of dark humor and camaraderie.

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The abandoned carnival serves as a haunting backdrop that symbolizes the characters' internal struggles and fears.
  • Major Twist: The revelation that the boys must confront their inner demons, manifested as supernatural figures resembling their fathers.
  • Innovative Idea: The integration of a supernatural roller coaster ride that leads to a nightmarish underworld, blending adventure with horror.
  • Distinctive Setting: The eerie and decaying carnival, which contrasts with the suburban setting, enhances the story's tension and atmosphere.

Comparable Scripts: Stranger Things, It, The Goonies, Super 8, The Maze Runner, Coraline, The Dark Tower, Stand By Me, The Cabin in the Woods

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: 7.33
Story Critique
Big-picture feedback on the story’s clarity, stakes, cohesion, and engagement.
Characters
Explores the depth, clarity, and arc of the main and supporting characters.
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.
Themes
Analysis of the themes of the screenplay and how well they’re expressed.
Logic & Inconsistencies
Highlights any contradictions, plot holes, or logic gaps that may confuse viewers.

Scene Analysis

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

Scene-Level Percentile Chart
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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.
Writer's Craft
Analyzes the writing to help the writer be aware of their skill and improve.
Memorable Lines
Spotlights standout dialogue lines with emotional or thematic power.
Tropes
Highlights common or genre-specific tropes found in the script.
World Building
Evaluates the depth, consistency, and immersion of the story's world.
Correlations
Identifies patterns in scene scores.
Loglines
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