About Time (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Men in the Lake family can travel through time by entering a dark space, closing their eyes, and concentrating on a specific moment. However, they cannot alter significant historical events, the ability is limited to personal life changes. Tim discovers this power at 21 and uses it primarily to improve his romantic relationships and correct embarrassing moments.

Foreshadowing: Tim's father hints at the family's secret during the New Year's Eve party, building anticipation for the revelation.

• time travel
• ability
• limitations
• lake family
• power

The time travel ability only allows Tim to alter events within his own personal timeline. Major historical events like wars or disasters remain fixed, as the power is meant for improving one's own life rather than changing world events. This limitation is established when Tim's father first explains the gift.

• time travel
• limitations
• historical events
• father
• rule

Despite Tim using time travel multiple times to redo moments with Charlotte, she simply doesn't develop romantic feelings for him. Tim realizes that some things cannot be changed, even with time travel, he cannot force someone to love him. Charlotte tells him directly that she likes him but not in that way, marking a painful lesson in acceptance.

Foreshadowing: During their summer encounters, Charlotte occasionally seems interested but never commits, hinting at her ultimate rejection.

• charlotte
• rejection
• time travel
• feelings
• love

After a blind date where Tim and Mary hit it off but lose her phone number due to a misunderstanding, he uses time travel to travel back to the restaurant multiple times. He searches for her through various attempts until he successfully gets her correct phone number, demonstrating how he uses the ability to salvage his romantic prospects.

• mary
• phone number
• blind date
• restaurant
• search

Tim and Mary marry in a joyful ceremony held in a field with white tents. It rains heavily throughout, but the couple embraces the weather as part of their special day. Tim uses time travel to fix various mishaps, including mix-ups with the best man and speech problems, ensuring the celebration goes smoothly despite the chaos.

• wedding
• rain
• ceremony
• mary
• celebration

After Kit Kat is involved in a drunk-driving accident that leaves her seriously injured, Tim uses his time travel ability to go back and guide her toward better life choices. He helps her break up with her abusive boyfriend and encourages her to pursue her singing career, ultimately leading to her healing and happiness.

• kit kat
• accident
• sister
• time travel
• save

After his father dies from cancer, Tim learns from their final conversations that the true value of life lies in appreciating each day without needing to redo moments. He realizes that constantly time traveling prevents him from fully experiencing life's imperfections and joys. He chooses to live in the present, embracing the unpredictability of life without relying on his ability.

Foreshadowing: Tim's father repeatedly emphasizes savoring ordinary moments, foreshadowing Tim's eventual choice.

• time travel
• father
• death
• stop
• present
• decision

Tim's father teaches him that the secret to a happy life is simply to appreciate each day, whether stressful or joyful. He encourages Tim to savor ordinary moments and find happiness in daily life rather than constantly trying to perfect everything through time travel. These lessons become particularly meaningful after the father's terminal diagnosis.

• father
• lessons
• time
• appreciation
• life
• advice

Tim meets Mary during a blind date at a restaurant. They instantly connect and have chemistry, but Tim's phone number mix-up and a series of misadventures complicate their connection. Through repeated time travel attempts, he navigates misunderstandings and awkward moments until they finally build a solid relationship, eventually marrying and having a daughter named Posy.

• mary
• meeting
• blind date
• relationship
• start

The New Year's Eve party serves as both Tim's most embarrassing moment and his first successful time travel experience. Initially, he spills drinks and fails to kiss the woman he likes, choosing a handshake instead. After learning about his ability, he returns to this party and successfully kisses her, marking his first step toward using time travel for personal improvement.

• new years eve
• party
• first time travel
• blonde woman
• kiss