Movie Script Scene-By-Scene Breakdown: “Red Rocket”

A breakdown of the screenplay for the 2021 drama comedy from writer-director Sean Baker.

Plot summary: Mikey Saber is a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone really wants him back.

You may download the screenplay here.

Here is a scene-by-scene breakdown of the screenplay.

Red Rocket
Scene-By-Scene Breakdown
By Amanda ReCupido
GoIntoTheStory.com

Page 1–11: Mikey returns to his hometown via bus, arrives at his ex/wife Lexi’s and her mom Lil’s house, is initially rebuffed but they eventually take him in where he regales them of his troubles and promises to get a job to pay rent

12–15: Mikey goes on job interviews and the welfare office where he talks about his past porn career

16–19: Mikey goes to Leondria’s house to get work selling weed for her. At home he notices Lexi doing hard drugs.

20–26: Mikey asks his neighbor Lonnie for a ride, regales him with talk about his porn career as they go to a strip club

27–29: Mikey and Lexi have sex, Lil chides him for not helping out enough, he announces he is covering rent and they go to celebrate with donuts

30–35: Mikey first sees Strawberry at the donut shop. He tries to make an excuse to go back but the place is closed. Mikey and Lexi have sex again, and he goes back to the shop yet again to scout it out. He finally sees Strawberry but the place starts to get busy so he tells her he’ll come back.

36–37: Lonnie and Mikey go fishing where he reveals how everyone he’s had sex with on camera started as a relationship offscreen

38–41: Mikey lies to Strawberry about his time in LA and why he’s back. She gives him a tip of where to sell his weed.

42–44: Strawberry offers Mikey a ride home, he directs her to a rich neighborhood, she starts making moves on him

45–49: Lil again questions how long Mikey plans to stay. Mikey tags along with Lonnie to the mall while he wears a military uniform and gets called out on being an imposter, Mikey calls him out on it as well

50–58: Mikey observes Strawberry kissing her boyfriend and demands they go to his house so he can let him know they’re broken up and they get into a minor altercation. They drive away and Strawberry goes down on Mikey. Then at the Donut Hole, Nash shows up with his parents and attack Mikey. He’s hurt but refuses medical attention. He and Strawberry have sex.

59: When Strawberry drops Mikey off at “his house,” the owner comes out and threatens him

60: Mikey talks about Strawberry’s porn potential to Lonnie. Has sex with Lexi. She asks about his bruises; he lies. He picks up weed.

61–66: Mikey talks to Strawberry about dealing to dancers and invites her to join him. At home, he can’t get hard with Lexi. Mikey and Strawberry have a date on the pier. She confronts him about his porn past and she admits she once sold a nude online. He brings up her potential.

67–68: Leondria is talking to Lil and Lexi. Lexi mentions her son who was taken away and potentially getting custody.

69–70: Mikey’s on the phone talking up Strawberry to someone in the industry. Talking to Lonnie, he blames Lexi for his life problems.

71–79: Mikey and Strawberry spend the weekend together at her house while her mom’s out of town. Mikey talks about LA again and suggests they film themselves having sex, after which she plays a soulful song on the piano.

80: Lexi confronts Mikey regarding his whereabouts and he shows her the wad of cash he’s been saving.

81–90: Mikey talking to Lonnie again while they’re driving on the highway about his plans and how he’s almost at the amount of money saved to get there. Distracted, they almost miss their exit, swerve across multiple lanes and initiate a massive pileup. Mikey encourages him to keep driving. Nervous, he watches the news and cancels on Strawberry when she calls. The cops come to Lonnie’s that night. When he goes to get milk the next day he sees the arrest and Lexi’s interview on the news. In another news report, Lonnie’s lawyer releases a statement that does not implicate or mention Mikey. He goes outside to celebrate but sobers when he sees Lonnie’s father.

91–92: Mikey proposes he and Strawberry leave for LA the next day. She quits the donut shop on the spot.

93–103: Mikey tells Lexi he’s out. That night Leondria’s crew robs him and he flees (naked). He’s found at Leondria’s begging. They give him $300 to get out of town. He goes back to Lexi’s to get the rest of his stuff.

104: He walks alone along the town, ends up at Strawberry’s house, perhaps in a fantasy.

Kudos to Amanda ReCupido for preparing this scene-by-scene breakdown. You may download a PDF of the breakdown here.

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