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2:22 (2017) movie poster

Timeline

2:22 (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 98 min · English
Echo score 52
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Directed by
Paul Currie
Starring
Teresa Palmer, Michiel Huisman, Remy Hii, John Waters, Sam Reid, Simone Kessell

Air traffic controller Dylan Branson experiences escalating chaos every day at 2:22pm, pulling him into a perplexing mystery. He finds himself increasingly drawn to Grand Central Station, where he encounters Sarah and learns about her complicated history. As unsettling patterns emerge, Dylan struggles to understand the connection between them and the recurring phenomenon. He must confront the events unfolding around him and attempt to break free from a seemingly inescapable cycle.

Action Thriller Cast, crew & box office
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 2:22
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

2:22 Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of 2:22 (2017) 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. Dylan's Dream

    The film opens with Dylan Branson experiencing a vivid dream about a murder occurring in Grand Central Station. This unsettling premonition sets the stage for the unfolding events that will deeply impact his life.

    Where
    Grand Central Station

  2. News of the Supernova

    After waking, Dylan learns about a supernova from the star Hamlin that has reached Earth thirty years later. The news promises dire consequences for humanity, adding an ominous tone to his day.

  3. Everyday Life

    Dylan rides his bike to catch his train, showing glimpses of his everyday life as an air traffic controller. His job requires him to visualize intricate patterns, an ability that will soon prove crucial.

    Where
    Grand Central Station

  4. The Aerial Ballet Invitation

    At a club with colleagues after work, Dylan is gifted a ticket to an aerial ballet in celebration of his upcoming birthday. This gesture reflects the camaraderie he shares with his friends.

  5. Near Collision Incident

    The following day at 2:22 PM, Dylan nearly causes a catastrophic midair collision while on duty. This near-disaster results in his suspension, placing over 900 lives at risk and shaking his confidence.

    When
    2:22 PM

  6. Meeting Sarah

    During the aerial ballet, Dylan meets Sarah, who will become significant in his life. Their deep conversation reveals a profound connection, as she shares her near-death experience without resentment towards Dylan.

  7. Shared Birthday Revelation

    Dylan invites Sarah to dinner in Central Park, and they discover they share the same birthday: April 18, 1986. This revelation deepens their bond and suggests a cosmic connection between them.

    Where
    Central Park

  8. Recurring Ominous Events

    Dylan experiences deja vu as he witnesses the same troubling events at Grand Central Station, including a window shattering at 2:22 PM. These repetitions unnervingly connect him to a past he cannot fully grasp.

    When
    2:22 PM
    Where
    Grand Central Station

  9. Unsettling Cab Ride

    Dylan's cab ride takes a turn when it gets struck by another vehicle, leaving him injured. This moment heightens his senses, compelling him to unravel the chaotic patterns that have invaded his life.

  10. Visit to the Art Gallery

    At the Howard Pace Art Gallery, Dylan finds an exhibition by Jonas, the artist who once dated Sarah. The artwork connects unsettlingly to his recurring visions, igniting a rivalry between them.

    Where
    Howard Pace Art Gallery

  11. Discovering a Troubling Past

    Dylan uncovers letters related to Jake Redman, a criminal involved in a famous murder-suicide at Grand Central Station on his and Sarah's birthday. This revelation reveals the intertwined destinies of Dylan and Sarah.

  12. Realization of a Past Life

    Dylan starts to believe he is the reincarnation of Jake, with Sarah linked to a tragic figure from that past. He decides that breaking up might prevent an impending disaster on their upcoming birthday.

  13. Forced Together by Fate

    Despite their attempts to separate, Dylan and Sarah's flight is canceled, compelling them to travel together by train. They find themselves in a race against time as Dylan tries to protect her from Jonah.

    Where
    Grand Central Station

  14. Confrontation with Jonas

    In a climactic moment, Dylan confronts Jonas, who brandishes a gun. A chaotic sequence mirrors the past events, but this time Dylan intervenes, altering fate's course.

    Where
    Grand Central Station

  15. New Beginnings

    Ultimately, Dylan and Sarah survive the tumultuous confrontation and emerge changed. They embrace their roles as parents, symbolizing their victory over destiny and Dylan's fulfillment of his dream to become a pilot.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:08

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Timeline questions answered

2:22 Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of 2:22 (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Dylan nearly cause a midair collision at 2:22 PM?

Dylan experiences a sudden onset of confusion and sensory overload at precisely 2:22 PM, causing him to momentarily lose focus on his duties as an air traffic controller. This leads to his failure to notice two planes on a collision course. The incident results in his suspension from work and places over 900 lives at risk, triggering the chain of events that draws him into the mystery.

Foreshadowing: His vivid dream of a murder at Grand Central Station earlier planted the seeds of the 2:22 phenomenon in his mind.

  • midair collision
  • air traffic controller
  • 2:22 PM
  • suspension
  • planes
Q2

What is the connection between Dylan and Jake Redman?

Dylan discovers he is the reincarnation of Jake Redman, a criminal who committed a murder-suicide at Grand Central Station on April 18, 1986, the same day Dylan and Sarah were born. This past-life connection explains why Dylan experiences the same visions and patterns that Jake once did, including the recurring 2:22 phenomenon.

Foreshadowing: Dylan's dreams of the murder at Grand Central Station are actually memories from Jake's past life.

  • Jake Redman
  • reincarnation
  • past life
  • murder-suicide
  • Grand Central Station
Q3

What is the connection between Sarah and Evelyn?

Sarah is linked to Evelyn, the woman Jake Redman killed in the 1986 murder-suicide at Grand Central Station. This past-life connection explains the intense "soulmate-like" bond between Dylan and Sarah, they are repeating the tragic love story from 30 years earlier, but this time with the opportunity to break the fatal cycle.

Foreshadowing: Sarah working at an art gallery and her emotional connection to the historical tragedy hint at her link to Evelyn.

  • Sarah
  • Evelyn
  • Jake Redman
  • soulmate
  • past life connection
Q4

What happened in the original Grand Central Station murder?

On April 18, 1986, Jake Redman shot and killed Evelyn, a singer he was obsessed with, at Grand Central Station. He then turned the gun on himself in a murder-suicide. This tragic event occurred on the same day Dylan and Sarah were born, creating a cosmic connection that binds their fates.

Foreshadowing: Dylan's recurring dream about a murder at Grand Central Station depicts this exact event.

  • murder-suicide
  • Evelyn
  • Jake Redman
  • 1986
  • Grand Central Station
Q5

Why does Dylan try to break up with Sarah?

After learning about the reincarnation connection and the tragic history, Dylan believes their relationship will inevitably lead to the same fatal outcome that occurred 30 years prior. He attempts to break up with Sarah to prevent history from repeating itself and to protect her from the tragedy he believes is destined to happen on their birthday.

Foreshadowing: The pattern of repeating events at 2:22 PM foreshadows the cyclical nature of their fates.

  • break up
  • fate
  • prevent tragedy
  • birthday
  • 2:22 PM
Q6

What is Jonas's role in the story?

Jonas is an artist and Sarah's ex-boyfriend who creates artwork depicting the events Dylan experiences. His exhibition at the Howard Pace Art Gallery eerily mirrors the murder-suicide from 30 years earlier. Jonas becomes obsessed with Sarah and attempts to stop Dylan and Sarah from breaking the cycle, ultimately confronting them at Grand Central Station with a gun.

Foreshadowing: Jonas's art mirrors the exact events Dylan witnesses, showing he has some connection to the past.

  • Jonas
  • artist
  • ex-boyfriend
  • obsession
  • confrontation
Q7

How does Dylan break the cycle?

Dylan breaks the cycle by confronting Jonas at Grand Central Station and refusing to repeat the tragic events of 30 years ago. When Jonas shoots him, Dylan survives, the key difference from Jake's fate. By choosing to protect Sarah rather than letting the tragedy unfold, Dylan alters the outcome and prevents the murder-suicide from repeating.

Foreshadowing: Dylan's earlier decision to break up with Sarah shows his attempt to change fate before the final confrontation.

  • break cycle
  • fate
  • alter outcome
  • survive
  • Grand Central Station
Q8

What is the significance of the supernova in the movie?

The supernova from star Hamlin, which reaches Earth 30 years after its initial observation, serves as a symbolic and thematic device rather than a plot mechanism. It represents the concept of time, cosmic destiny, and the intersection of past events reaching the present. The timing aligns with when Dylan and Sarah are drawn into the repeating pattern, reinforcing the themes of fate and interconnectedness.

Foreshadowing: The news of the supernova appears early in the film, establishing the time-related mystery.

  • supernova
  • Hamlin
  • astronomy
  • time
  • fate
Q9

Does Dylan become a pilot in the end?

Yes, in the conclusion Dylan overcomes his fear of flying and becomes a pilot, fulfilling the dream he gave up due to fear. This represents his triumph over the traumatic past and his ability to forge a new future free from the cycle of violence that defined his past life as Jake Redman.

Foreshadowing: Dylan mentions early in the film that his family's background in aviation included training him, but fear held him back.

  • pilot
  • dream
  • overcome fear
  • flying
  • future
Q10

Do Dylan and Sarah survive the confrontation?

Yes, both Dylan and Sarah survive the confrontation at Grand Central Station. Dylan is shot by Jonas but does not die, unlike Jake Redman who perished in the original murder-suicide. This survival marks the breaking of the cycle. The film ends with them as parents, living a happy life together, having overcome their destined tragic fate.

Foreshadowing: The film mirrors the 1986 events but inverts the outcome when Dylan chooses to protect Sarah.

  • survive
  • parents
  • happy ending
  • baby
  • new life

Movie threads

More Movies Like 2:22, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 2:22 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fate-Driven Mysteries Like 2:22

Characters pulled together by destiny must unravel a mysterious pattern to survive. If you liked the obsessive, destiny-bound romance and high-stakes mystery of 2:22, explore these movies where love and fate collide. These films feature characters caught in intricate patterns, battling against time to solve a puzzle that defines their connection and their survival.

  • fate-driven
  • obsessive
  • suspenseful
  • romantic
  • anxious
  • mysterious
  • Tone: tense, obsessive, romantic
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often begin with a seemingly random connection that reveals a deeper, fated link between characters. The plot revolves around deciphering clues, breaking cycles, or preventing a tragic event foretold by the pattern. The central conflict is as much about the characters accepting their intertwined destiny as it is about the external threat.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their unique blend of high-tension thriller mechanics with a core romantic relationship that feels cosmically inevitable. The shared experience is one of anxious anticipation, obsessive investigation, and the emotional weight of a love story written by fate itself.

Elevator to the Gallows movie poster

Elevator to the Gallows

2010
Fatal Affair movie poster

Fatal Affair

2020
Fatale movie poster

Fatale

2020
2:22 movie poster

2:22

2017
Motives movie poster

Motives

2004
Certain Fury movie poster

Certain Fury

1985
Kites movie poster

Kites

2010
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The Secret Fury

1950

Time Loop Thrillers Similar to 2:22

Protagonists trapped in a repeating event must decode the past to secure their future. For viewers who enjoyed the high-stakes temporal pattern and complex mystery of 2:22, this collection features other gripping thrillers about characters caught in a loop. These movies explore the psychological toll of reliving a fateful moment and the race to uncover the truth hidden in time.

  • time loop
  • paranoid
  • fatalistic
  • pattern recognition
  • mind-bending
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: paranoid, fatalistic, suspenseful
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative structure is defined by repetition and incremental discovery. Each cycle reveals new clues, deepening the mystery and the protagonist's psychological distress. The journey involves piecing together fragments from the past (often through art, memories, or historical events) to understand the present loop and execute a plan to escape it.

Why they belong together: They share a compelling mix of a fast-paced, complex plot with a heavy emotional and psychological core. The similarity comes from the central motif of a character grappling with a predetermined temporal event, the paranoia that ensues, and the intellectual challenge of pattern recognition.

Temporal movie poster

Temporal

2022
2:22 movie poster

2:22

2017
Until Dawn movie poster

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2025
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1997
Time Cut movie poster

Time Cut

2024
Synchronicity movie poster

Synchronicity

2016
Deja Vu movie poster

Deja Vu

2006
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Frequency

2000

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Every angle

2:22 (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about 2:22 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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