5-Headed Shark Attack (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Marine biologist Dr. Angie Yost is pressured by Thaddeus Marshall, who runs the aquarium, to deny the shark photos are real and claim they are distortions. Marshall wants to use a boat crew to lure and capture the creature for an aquarium exhibit, so he needs to suppress any public panic that would prevent his expedition.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, blurry photos of the four-headed shark are discovered on the photographer's camera, which Marshall wants to discredit.

• dr angie yost
• thaddeus marshall
• aquarium
• cover up
• shark photos

The team drops dynamite into chum-filled water to kill the shark, but a single-headed shark swallows the charge and absorbs the blast. This allows the five-headed predator to survive and continue its rampage, demonstrating the creature's seemingly invulnerable nature.

Foreshadowing: The shark has already survived multiple attacks and grown bolder throughout the film.

• dynamite
• explosion
• shark survival
• trap plan

Red grabs depth charges and a giant fishing hook, then dives into the water. He successfully attaches the hook to the shark and uses the charges to blast the creature, which finally kills the five-headed predator offscreen.

Foreshadowing: Red is established as an experienced local fisherman who knows the waters well.

• red
• depth charges
• hook
• final battle
• kill shark

When the team radios for an airlift, a helicopter arrives at Playa Aviones. However, the five-headed shark bursts from the water and destroys the helicopter, sinking it along with the trapped crew. The creature's attacks extend from sea to air, making escape nearly impossible.

Foreshadowing: The shark has been increasingly bold, attacking boats and beachgoers throughout the film.

• helicopter
• rescue failed
• air attack
• shark attack

Deputy Black accompanies Captain Sterling throughout the investigation. During the confrontation at Playa Aviones, the team lures the shark toward the police boat. The five-headed monster attacks the craft's propellers and devours Deputy Black, killing him.

Foreshadowing: Black has been present since the initial investigation on the yacht.

• deputy black
• death
• police boat
• playa aviones

Thaddeus Marshall, the aquarium owner who orchestrated the capture expedition, fires a harpoon into the shark during the dynamite chaos. However, the harpoon line wraps around his foot and pulls him into the water, where the five-headed creature consumes him.

Foreshadowing: Marshall's greed and determination to capture the shark for profit drives his reckless actions.

• thaddeus marshall
• harpoon
• death
• aquarium owner

The creature starts as a four-headed shark that attacks the yacht, then evolves into a five-headed shark by the time it reaches Playa Aviones. The film presents it as a new, terrifying species, a mutated monster shaped like a demented starfish with rows of teeth, without fully explaining the mutation.

Foreshadowing: The initial attack shows a four-headed shark, indicating the creature can grow additional heads.

• five-headed shark
• mutation
• monster
• creature feature

After the five-headed shark disrupts a surfing competition at Playa Aviones, Yost, Red, and the police decide to use recorded dolphin calls to herd the creature toward a trap. The plan aims to direct the shark away from civilians using sound it would naturally respond to, then unleash dynamite.

Foreshadowing: Yost is a marine biologist who understands animal behavior and uses sonar throughout the film.

• dolphin calls
• herd
• trap
• dolphin sounds
• plan

During the first major shark chase using sonar, an officer is eaten by the creature and Lindsay is knocked off the vessel. She disappears beneath the waves and does not survive, adding to the mounting body count.

Foreshadowing: The shark has already killed multiple people including Sean earlier in the expedition.

• lindsay
• death
• chase
• officer killed

Sean is one of Dr. Yost's interns on the aquarium boat expedition. During the attempt to lure and capture the shark, Sean is knocked overboard and eaten by the creature. This marks the first major casualty of the capture mission.

Foreshadowing: The team succeeds in drawing the creature close before disaster strikes.

• sean
• death
• intern
• expedition
• aquarium boat

Captain Sterling and Deputy Black persist in hunting the five-headed shark because it poses an escalating threat to Puerto Rico's coastline. After initial attacks on fishermen and divers, the creature invades Playa Aviones during a surfing competition, forcing the police to take extreme measures to protect civilians.

Foreshadowing: The shark sinks a fishing boat and preys on fishermen and divers before reaching the beach.

• captain sterling
• police
• chase
• public safety
• protect civilians