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22 July (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 143 min · English
Echo score 65
JustWatch #5,456 74
Directed by
Paul Greengrass
Starring
Anders Danielsen Lie, Anneke von der Lippe, Caroline Glomnes, Charlotte Bottolfsen Iversen, Hang Tran, Isak Bakli Aglen
Budget
$20M

During a peaceful summer at a Norwegian youth camp, a horrific act of terror abruptly ends the innocence, resulting in the tragic loss of 77 lives. This gripping drama, based on actual events, explores the profound impact of extremism and the devastating consequences of Norway's deadliest attack, focusing on the human toll and the long road to recovery.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like 22 July
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch 22 July (2018)

Where can you watch 22 July? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

22 July Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of 22 July (2018) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Opening Day

    The story begins on July 21, 2011, just one day before a shocking tragedy. This day sets the stage for the events that will change the lives of many in Norway forever.

    When
    July 21, 2011
  2. Breivik Prepares for Attack

    Anders Behring Breivik, dressed in a police uniform, fills a van with homemade explosives. This act of preparation marks the beginning of his devastating plot against innocent people.

    Where
    Oslo, Norway
  3. The Oslo Bombing

    Breivik parks the bomb-laden van outside the office of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. A powerful explosion follows, wreaking havoc and resulting in numerous casualties in the heart of Oslo.

    Where
    Regjeringskvartalet, Oslo, Norway
  4. Utøya Summer Camp

    On the island of Utøya, teenagers gather for a summer camp organized by the Workers' Youth League. As excitement fills the air, the news of the bombing brings them to a sudden and shocking halt.

    Where
    Utøya, Tyrifjorden, Buskerud, Norway
  5. Panic at the Camp

    As campers react to the news of the Oslo bombing, Viljar Hanssen frantically calls his parents in concern for their safety. The grim realization of an unfolding tragedy begins to set in among the campers.

    Where
    Utøya, Tyrifjorden, Buskerud, Norway
  6. Breivik Arrives at Utøya

    Pretending to be a police officer, Breivik arrives at the ferry landing. He manipulates the camp staff, seizing control of the situation and corralling the campers into one area, setting the stage for horror.

    Where
    Utøya, Tyrifjorden, Buskerud, Norway
  7. The Massacre Begins

    Breivik violently responds to requests for identification by killing the head of security and the camp director. Chaos erupts as he opens fire on the frightened teens, resulting in a heartbreaking loss of life.

    Where
    Utøya, Tyrifjorden, Buskerud, Norway
  8. Viljar's Escape Attempts

    Viljar and his brother, Torje, hide on a rocky beach as the shooting unfolds. In a moment of desperation, Viljar manages to contact his mother, sharing the horrifying reality of their situation.

    Where
    Utøya, Tyrifjorden, Buskerud, Norway
  9. Viljar is Injured

    Breivik discovers Viljar's hiding spot and opens fire, causing severe injuries to Viljar while miraculously leaving Torje unharmed. The brothers’ hopes for survival waver as chaos continues around them.

    Where
    Utøya, Tyrifjorden, Buskerud, Norway
  10. Breivik's Surrender

    As the attack comes to an end, Breivik surrenders to police tactical teams awaiting his arrival. This surrender leads to a lengthy interrogation that reveals his extremist motives.

  11. Viljar's Critical Surgery

    Viljar undergoes emergency surgery to remove bullet fragments embedded in his brain. His family faces a desperate wait, grappling with the uncertainty of his survival and the trauma of the day.

    Where
    Hospital, Norway
  12. The Families' Horror

    As Viljar's parents search for their children, they are struck with despair when they learn that Viljar is missing. Their heartache deepens when they find out that Viljar is in critical condition post-surgery.

  13. Breivik's Trial

    During his trial, Breivik reveals his affiliation with a white nationalist group, threatening further violence. His legal team faces an ethical dilemma over representing such a controversial figure as he defends his actions.

    Where
    Courtroom, Norway
  14. Viljar Testifies

    In a brave act of resilience, Viljar testifies in court alongside Lara Rachid, recounting the traumatic events of the attack. He shares the heartbreak of losing his closest friends, seeking justice for the victims.

    Where
    Courtroom, Norway
  15. Aftermath and Recovery

    Viljar, waking from a coma, begins the long road of rehabilitation, coping with life-altering injuries and memories of the tragedy. The community faces the scars left by the attack as they strive to heal and move forward.

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 01:07

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Timeline questions answered

22 July Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of 22 July (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

How did Breivik gain access to Utøya island?

Breivik arrived at the Utøya ferry landing wearing a police uniform and claimed to be a police officer dispatched to secure the island following the Oslo bombing. The camp director transported him to the island, where he then ordered staff to corral the children into one area before opening fire.

  • utøya island
  • police uniform
  • breivik access
  • ferry landing
  • camp director
Q2

Why did Breivik target the Workers' Youth League camp?

Breivik targeted the AUF camp because it was affiliated with Norway's Labour Party, which he viewed as promoting multiculturalism and immigration. During his trial, he claimed the camp represented a symbol of political opposition to his white nationalist ideology.

  • auf camp
  • labour party
  • youth camp
  • white nationalist
  • ideology target
Q3

What happened to Viljar Hanssen after the shooting?

Viljar was severely injured when Breivik discovered his hiding spot on the rocky beach and opened fire. He underwent emergency surgery to remove bullet fragments embedded in his brain, losing sight in one eye. Some fragments settled too close to his brain stem to be safely removed, leaving him with permanent uncertainty about his health and ongoing rehabilitation.

  • viljar hanssen
  • brain surgery
  • bullet fragments
  • permanent injuries
  • rehabilitation
Q4

How many people died in the 22 July attacks?

Breivik killed 77 people in total: 8 died in the Oslo bombing and 69 were killed on Utøya island. An additional number were injured.

  • 77 deaths
  • oslo bombing
  • utøya massacre
  • fatalities
  • casualties
Q5

Why did Breivik's lawyer consider an insanity defense?

Breivik's lawyer Geir Lippestad considered an insanity defense despite backlash because it could have resulted in institutionalization rather than imprisonment. However, Breivik himself rejected this approach, explicitly stating he wanted to be deemed competent so he could validate his actions and face trial.

  • insanity defense
  • geir lippestad
  • paranoid schizophrenia
  • competency
  • trial strategy
Q6

What was Breivik's sentence?

Breivik was convicted of murder and terrorism, receiving a life sentence in solitary confinement at Skien Prison. His sentence carries a minimum of 21 years before parole is possible, though he may serve the rest of his life behind bars.

  • life sentence
  • solitary confinement
  • skien prison
  • 21 years
  • parole
Q7

How did Viljar testify at Breivik's trial?

Viljar testified in court alongside survivor Lara Rachid, recounting the horrifying details of the attack. He described losing his best friends Simon and Anders, providing a powerful account of the massacre from a survivor's perspective.

  • viljar testimony
  • court
  • lara rachid
  • survivor account
  • breivik trial
Q8

What was Breivik's ideology and group affiliation?

During interrogation and trial, Breivik presented himself as the pro-Nazi leader of a white nationalist group called the Knight's Templar. He made threats of future attacks on command and expressed pride in his actions despite his conviction.

  • knights templar
  • nazi
  • white nationalism
  • ideology
  • extremist
Q9

Why did it take so long for police to reach Utøya?

The police response was delayed because the initial attack in Oslo led authorities to believe there might be additional bombs or coordinated attacks. Breivik had already surrendered by the time tactical teams arrived at the island.

  • police response
  • delay
  • tactical teams
  • utøya rescue
  • emergency response
Q10

What did Viljar do after recovering from his injuries?

After his recovery and rehabilitation, Viljar Hanssen pursued higher education, aspiring to become a lawyer and enter politics. His mother continued to support him through ongoing therapy as he coped with lingering trauma from the massacre.

  • viljar future
  • lawyer
  • politics
  • rehabilitation
  • recovery
Q11

Why did Breivik bomb Regjeringskvartalet?

Breivik parked his van bomb outside Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's office in Regjeringskvartalet, the executive government quarter in Oslo. The location was chosen as the seat of political power in Norway, representing his attack against the ruling government.

  • regeringskvartalet
  • oslo
  • prime minister
  • government quarter
  • bombing location
Q12

How was Breivik arrested and what happened after?

Breivik surrendered to police tactical teams waiting at Utøya after the massacre ended. He was taken for interrogation, where he calmly discussed his plans and ideology. He later sought legal representation from Geir Lippestad to defend him at trial.

  • arrest
  • surrender
  • interrogation
  • police
  • legal representation

Movie threads

More Movies Like 22 July, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 22 July tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

True stories of trauma and survival like 22 July

Gripping dramatizations of real-life tragedies and the human will to endure. For viewers seeking movies like 22 July, this section features gripping dramatizations of real-life tragedies. These films share a focus on the harrowing experience of survival, the long road to recovery, and the profound impact of historical events on individuals and society.

  • harrowing
  • sobering
  • tense
  • traumatic
  • gritty
  • anxious
  • Tone: dark, sobering, harrowing
  • Pacing: fast-paced initial crisis, steady recovery
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a peaceful normalcy that is shattered by a sudden, real-world calamity. The story then follows multiple perspectives—survivors, first responders, and sometimes the perpetrators—through the initial shock, the physical and psychological aftermath, and the pursuit of justice or meaning amidst tragedy.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their commitment to factual storytelling, their heavy emotional weight centered on trauma and resilience, and their unflinching look at the human cost of real-world violence and disaster.

Tense procedural aftermath dramas like 22 July

Stories where a single violent act triggers a complex investigation and legal reckoning. If you liked the second half of 22 July focusing on the legal defense and trial, explore these movies. They detail the high-stakes, methodical processes of investigation and courtroom drama that follow catastrophic events, maintaining tension through systemic conflict.

  • tense
  • gritty
  • procedural
  • anxious
  • sobering
  • courtroom
  • Tone: tense, gritty, dark
  • Pacing: fast-paced crisis, steady procedural
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative structure is often bifurcated: a fast-paced, high-intensity depiction of the inciting event is followed by a more deliberate, yet equally tense, exploration of its consequences. This includes police investigations, courtroom battles, and the psychological toll on those seeking justice, creating a gripping blend of chaos and order.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their dual narrative structure, combining visceral action with methodical procedure. They share a high-tension mood, a dark tone, and a focus on the complex, often frustrating, machinations of justice and institutional response.

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Movies Like 22 July

Similar movies to 22 July: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

22 July (2018) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about 22 July in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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