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A Home at the End of the World (2004) movie poster

Timeline

A Home at the End of the World (2004) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2004 · 97 min · English
Directed by
Michael Mayer
Starring
Colin Farrell, Robin Wright, Sissy Spacek, Dallas Roberts
Budget
$6.5M

A poignant drama about two young men who form a deep and enduring friendship. Years later, they reunite in New York City as adults, where one man finds himself at a crossroads, torn between his long-time friend and a new romantic relationship. This situation threatens the unique and unconventional family they’ve created over time, testing the strength of their bond and forcing them to confront difficult choices about love and loyalty.

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 A Home at the End of the World
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch A Home at the End of the World (2004)

Where can you watch A Home at the End of the World? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

A Home at the End of the World Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of A Home at the End of the World (2004) 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. Bobby's Close Bond with His Brother

    In the 1960s, young Bobby enjoys a deep and meaningful relationship with his older brother, who acts as a significant role model and equal companion. Their bond is characterized by shared experiences and mutual respect, making Bobby's world brighter and more secure.

    When
    1960s
  2. The Tragic Loss

    Bobby's life is shattered when his brother dies in a freak accident during a party at their home. The loss occurs suddenly when his brother walks through a closed plate glass door, leaving Bobby with an unfillable void and forcing him to confront the reality of life without his brother.

    Where
    Bobby's home
  3. Meeting Jonathan

    While navigating his grief at school, Bobby meets Jonathan, a boy who bears a remarkable resemblance to his deceased brother. This connection offers Bobby a glimmer of hope as he grapples with the loss of both his mother and brother.

    Where
    School
  4. Bonding Over Music and Pot

    Bobby introduces Jonathan to the world of pot and rock music, two liberating experiences that create a strong bond between them. Their friendship is a source of comfort for Bobby, who finds solace in Jonathan's company amid his troubled home life.

  5. Moving In Together

    During difficult times following Bobby's father's death, Jonathan invites Bobby to move in with his family. Living together allows Bobby to experience the love and support he has sorely missed since his brother's passing.

    Where
    Jonathan's home
  6. Growing Feelings

    As their friendship deepens, Jonathan develops strong feelings for Bobby, drawn to his carefree spirit and confidence. Their relationship evolves during moments of intimacy, although they strive to maintain a primarily brotherly bond.

  7. Bobby and Jonathan's Influence on Alice

    Bobby's presence introduces warmth into Jonathan's mother, Alice's life, as he shares the experience of pot with her. This rekindles her passion for cooking and she starts teaching Bobby culinary skills, providing both of them with joy.

    Where
    Jonathan's home
  8. Bobby's New Life Paths

    As the years pass, Bobby finds employment in a bakery while Jonathan prepares to head off to college. Jonathan's parents, noticing Ned's declining health, encourage Bobby to find his own way, highlighting the crossroads in their lives.

    Where
    Bakery
  9. Reuniting in NYC

    Fast forward to the early 1980s, Bobby travels to the bustling West Village of NYC in search of Jonathan. Their reunion marks a pivotal moment, as Jonathan has embraced his sexuality, living with an artist named Clare.

    When
    1980s
    Where
    West Village, NYC
  10. Clare's Unexpected Romance

    Clare begins an unexpected romance with Bobby, causing tension and jealousy for Jonathan, who feels left out. This shift complicates their relationships and tests the bonds formed over the years.

  11. Confronting Loss Again

    Bobby receives devastating news about Ned’s passing and journeys back to the desert to confront another loss. Meanwhile, Jonathan grapples with feelings of inadequacy, complicating their emotional landscape.

    Where
    Desert
  12. Navigating Complex Emotions

    As the trio grapples with love and loyalty, Clare becomes pregnant with Bobby's child, creating a tender yet complex situation. They contemplate their future in the face of impending changes.

  13. A New Beginning in Woodstock

    Seeking a fresh start, they relocate to the historic town of Woodstock, NY, centered around the excitement of their new family dynamic and the opening of a restaurant named 'Home.' This new chapter emphasizes love and community.

    Where
    Woodstock, NY
  14. Facing Jonathan's Health Challenges

    As Clare embraces motherhood, Jonathan begins to show signs of health concerns that cast a shadow over their lives. Bobby discovers a sore on Jonathan's hip, foreshadowing the onset of his battle with AIDS.

  15. A Moment of Closure

    In an emotional moment, Jonathan and Bobby scatter Ned's ashes together, leading to a heartfelt conversation about mortality and their unresolved feelings. This profound experience cements their enduring bond.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 14:37

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Timeline questions answered

A Home at the End of the World Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of A Home at the End of the World (2004): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Bobby become friends with Jonathan?

Bobby befriends Jonathan because Jonathan bears a striking resemblance to Bobby's older brother, who recently died in a tragic accident. Bobby was struggling to cope with the loss of his brother, and seeing Jonathan offered him a sense of hope and connection to the person he lost most.

  • bobby
  • jonathan
  • friendship
  • brother death
  • resemblance
Q2

Why do Jonathan's parents let Bobby move in?

After Bobby's father dies, Bobby is left without a family. Jonathan's parents, particularly his mother Alice, welcome Bobby into their home because they recognize his difficult situation and the void in his life. Bobby brings warmth and joy into their home, making the arrangement beneficial for everyone.

  • bobby
  • alice
  • ned
  • jonathan
  • foster care
  • family
Q3

Why does Clare start a relationship with Bobby?

Clare has been in love with Jonathan for years, but her feelings are unrequited. When Bobby arrives, Clare develops feelings for him, partly because she sees him as someone who could love her back. Her romance with Bobby creates tension and jealousy between the three of them.

  • clare
  • bobby
  • jonathan
  • love triangle
  • unrequited love
Q4

Why do Bobby, Jonathan, and Clare move to Woodstock?

After Clare becomes pregnant and the trio faces mounting tension in the city, they decide to seek a fresh start. They relocate to Woodstock, New York, where they open a restaurant called "Home" and try to build a family together away from the complications of city life.

  • woodstock
  • restaurant
  • new beginning
  • family
  • relocation
Q5

What is Jonathan's health condition at the end of the film?

Jonathan is diagnosed with AIDS. Bobby discovers a sore on Jonathan's hip, which marks the beginning of his illness. The film handles this subtly, showing the disease casting a shadow over their otherwise peaceful life in Woodstock.

Foreshadowing: The timeline hints at Jonathan's health concerns as Clare begins her visit to her mother, foreshadowing the serious diagnosis.

  • jonathan
  • aids
  • health
  • hiv
  • illness
Q6

What is the nature of Bobby and Jonathan's relationship?

Bobby and Jonathan's relationship is complex and evolves over decades. While they share moments of physical intimacy, their bond remains primarily brotherly. Jonathan has romantic feelings for Bobby, but Bobby seems to view their connection as more familial, shaped by the resemblance to his late brother.

  • bobby
  • jonathan
  • relationship
  • intimacy
  • sexuality
  • love
Q7

Why does Alice become close to Bobby?

Alice, Jonathan's mother, feels trapped in her traditional marriage and mundane life. Bobby's carefree spirit and his appreciation for her cooking bring warmth back into her life. When Bobby introduces her to marijuana, it sparks a renewed passion and connection between them.

  • alice
  • bobby
  • cooking
  • marijuana
  • connection
  • motherhood
Q8

Why is Ned's death important to the story?

Ned's death forces Bobby to confront loss once again in his life. After Ned passes away, Alice and Ned decide to relocate to a drier climate, which leads to Bobby reaching out to Jonathan in NYC. Ned's death serves as a pivotal moment that propels Bobby back into Jonathan's life and sets the stage for the next chapter.

  • ned
  • death
  • bobby
  • loss
  • desert
  • ash scattering
Q9

Why does Bobby return to the desert after Ned's death?

Bobby returns to the desert to be with Alice after Ned passes away. This return marks another cycle of loss for Bobby, who has already lost his mother and brother. It also creates distance between Bobby and Jonathan, leaving Jonathan to grapple with feelings of inadequacy.

  • bobby
  • desert
  • ned
  • loss
  • alice
  • return
Q10

What does the restaurant name "Home" represent?

The restaurant is called "Home" as a symbol of the unconventional family Bobby, Jonathan, and Clare have created. It represents their shared dream of building a permanent, loving home together despite not following traditional family structures. The name reflects their journey from loneliness to belonging.

  • restaurant
  • home
  • woodstock
  • family
  • dream
  • symbolism
Q11

What happens between Bobby and Jonathan at the end?

At the end, Bobby and Jonathan affirm their commitment to each other despite Jonathan's illness. They spread Ned's ashes together, which becomes a moment of closure about mortality and their unresolved feelings. The film ends with them together in their unconventional but deeply committed relationship.

Foreshadowing: Their earlier moments of intimacy and Jonathan's confession of feelings foreshadow this eventual affirmation of their bond.

  • bobby
  • jonathan
  • ending
  • commitment
  • relationship
  • ashes
Q12

Why does Bobby introduce Alice to marijuana?

Bobby introduces Alice to marijuana as part of sharing his world with her family. This act breaks through Alice's stagnant life and brings her joy. The shared experience of smoking pot becomes a bonding moment between Bobby and Alice, helping both of them find happiness in different ways.

  • bobby
  • alice
  • marijuana
  • connection
  • freedom
  • bonding

Movie threads

More Movies Like A Home at the End of the World, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes A Home at the End of the World tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Bittersweet Found Family Movies like A Home at the End of the World

Stories where unconventional families provide warmth against a backdrop of loss. If you enjoyed the unconventional family dynamics in A Home at the End of the World, you'll appreciate these movies about found families. They share a similar bittersweet tone, blending intimate connections with themes of love, loyalty, and loss, perfect for fans of emotionally heavy, character-driven dramas.

  • bittersweet
  • intimate
  • melancholic
  • poignant
  • nostalgic
  • tender
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, intimate
  • Pacing: slow, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a group of characters who build a life together outside conventional norms. Their bonds are tested by external challenges or internal conflicts, often related to love triangles, personal tragedies, or the simple passage of time, leading to an ending that affirms connection while acknowledging impermanence.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the joy and pain of chosen family. They balance tender, intimate moments with a melancholic atmosphere, often featuring a slow, reflective pace that allows deep emotional investment in the characters' relationships and the inevitable changes they face.

Decades-Spanning Friendship Dramas like A Home at the End of the World

Epic stories tracing the intricate evolution of lifelong bonds. Find movies similar to A Home at the End of World that explore lifelong friendships. These films follow characters from youth to adulthood, capturing the joys and challenges of enduring bonds with a poignant, often bittersweet feel, ideal for viewers who love reflective, character-evolving stories.

  • nostalgic
  • poignant
  • reflective
  • intimate
  • melancholic
  • tender
  • Tone: poignant, reflective, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread use a linear, chronological structure to trace the evolution of a key friendship from childhood or youth into adulthood. Major life events—romances, career changes, personal tragedies—act as turning points that strengthen or strain the bond, examining loyalty and the changing nature of love over time.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their longitudinal view of friendship. They share a reflective, sometimes nostalgic mood, a moderate narrative complexity that allows for deep character exploration, and a emotional resonance built from witnessing a relationship endure across a significant span of time.

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Every angle

A Home at the End of the World (2004) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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