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Timeline

Absolutely Anything (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 85 min · English
Echo score 47
JustWatch #6,701 22
Starring
Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Rob Riggle, Robert Bathurst, Joanna Lumley, Meera Syal

Humanity faces potential extinction, leading an unusual alien council to bestow Simon Pegg with extraordinary power: the ability to do absolutely anything, unbound by rules or consequences. Now tasked with proving Earth's value, this ordinary man must rise to the challenge and demonstrate why the planet deserves to be saved, all while grappling with the implications of unlimited power.

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 Absolutely Anything
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Absolutely Anything (2017)

Where can you watch Absolutely Anything? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and Hoopla: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Absolutely Anything Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Absolutely Anything (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. Alien Council's Debate

    The alien galactic council gathers to discuss the fate of humanity, analyzing a space probe filled with human secrets. They face the critical decision of whether to destroy Earth or to include humans in their interstellar community.

    Where
    Alien Council Chambers
  2. Neil Clarke Receives Power

    Unexpectedly, Neil Clarke, an overlooked teacher in London, is given unparalleled powers by the alien council. This bestowal marks the beginning of his tumultuous journey with abilities beyond his comprehension.

    Where
    London
  3. First Wish and Chaos

    Neil, unaware of the power he possesses, whimsically wishes for his least favorite students to be eliminated. The alien technology swiftly grants this wish, plunging his life into chaos and showcasing the dangerous potential of his newfound abilities.

    Where
    London School
  4. Zombies and Regret

    In a frantic attempt to control the chaos from earlier, Neil accidentally animates the dead as flesh-eating zombies. Although he manages to reverse this blunder, the incident leaves him shaken and aware of the responsibility tied to his powers.

    Where
    London
  5. Personal Wishes Escalate

    As Neil struggles with his powers, he begins to make personal wishes, including one for his friend Ray to win the affection of Miss Pringle. However, his desires soon spiral into selfishness, leading to unexpected complications.

    Where
    London
  6. Catherine's Visit

    Catherine unexpectedly visits Neil, unaware of the chaotic cosmic events surrounding them. Their romantic encounter is interrupted by her obsessive ex, Colonel Grant, leading to an unforeseen series of confrontations.

    Where
    Neil's Apartment
  7. Misunderstandings and Conflicts

    Catherine, believing Neil is already involved with Dennis after witnessing his affections, decides to confront Grant. Neil further complicates matters by playfully breaking Grant's arm in a moment of frustration.

    Where
    Catherine's Apartment
  8. Kidnapping by Colonel Grant

    The situation escalates when Grant kidnaps Neil to restrain him from using his powers. Neil is forced to comply with bizarre requests, leading to surreal changes to London, including unusual physical alterations to its citizens.

    Where
    London
  9. Failed Altruism

    In a desperate attempt to use his powers for good, Neil wishes to eliminate world hunger and wars. However, his noble intentions backfire, triggering disastrous consequences including an epidemic of obesity and overpopulation.

    Where
    Global
  10. Despair and Realization

    Reeling from the chaos he has caused, Neil contemplates suicide, struggling with the realization of his recklessness. Just as he is about to act, his loyal dog Dennis leaps into the Thames, prompting a moment of clarity.

    Where
    Thames River
  11. Power Transfer to Dennis

    Inspired by Dennis's selflessness, Neil chooses to relinquish his powers to his dog. This moment signifies a turning point where Neil acknowledges the dangers of his misuse of power and seeks to make amends.

    Where
    Thames River
  12. Alien Council's Decision

    Meanwhile, the alien council concludes that Earth is unworthy of existence based on their warped morality. Their final decision to destroy the planet hangs in the balance as Neil struggles to reverse his previous actions.

    Where
    Alien Council Chambers
  13. Catastrophic Backlash

    In a twist of fate, Dennis wishes for the destruction of the source of Neil's powers, triggering a catastrophic backlash that obliterates the alien ship. This act of selflessness saves humanity but also ignites speculation about Dennis's own powers.

    Where
    Outside Earth
  14. New Beginnings

    With the alien threat neutralized and their powers stripped away, Neil asks Catherine out on a date. To his surprise, she accepts, marking a new chapter in their troubled relationship.

    Where
    London
  15. Revelation of Dennis's Power

    Just as everyone feels a sense of relief, it becomes evident that Dennis retains some measure of the alien power. This revelation opens the door for new adventures and challenges ahead for humanity.

    Where
    London

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 12:13

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Timeline questions answered

Absolutely Anything Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why do aliens give a human the ability to do anything?

The alien galactic council grants Neil Clarke unlimited power as a test to determine humanity's worth. They have collected human secrets via a space probe and must decide whether to destroy Earth or integrate humans into their interstellar community. By giving one human absolute power, they hope to evaluate whether the species is morally worthy of survival.

  • alien council
  • power test
  • humanity worth
  • earth fate
Q2

Why do Neil's wishes for world peace and food cause disasters?

Neil's noble wishes backfire catastrophically because he wishes without considering consequences. His wish for endless food causes a worldwide obesity epidemic. When he eliminates wars, people fight over limited resources like houses, leading to overpopulation. His well-meaning but thoughtless wishes create worse problems than they solve, illustrating the story's theme about the dangers of unchecked power.

  • world peace
  • food wish
  • obesity
  • overpopulation
  • unintended consequences
Q3

Why does Neil consider ending his own life?

After witnessing the global disasters caused by his wishes, obesity epidemic, overpopulation, wars over resources, and an approaching ice age, Neil becomes overwhelmed with guilt and despair. He believes his attempts to do good only made things worse, leading him to the Thames River to contemplate suicide. This moment represents his lowest point before Dennis's intervention changes everything.

  • despair
  • guilt
  • Thames
  • mental health
  • consequences
Q4

How does Dennis the dog end up with powers at the end?

After Neil decides to give away his powers, he transfers them to Dennis because the dog never thinks selfishly. When Dennis wishes for the destruction of the power source itself to save humanity from the aliens, he retains some residual power since he only wished to destroy the source, not keep the abilities. This explains why Dennis still has powers in the final scene.

  • Dennis
  • dog powers
  • transfer
  • selflessness
  • residual power
Q5

Why do the aliens decide to destroy Earth?

The alien council observes Neil's use of power and judges humanity unworthy based on their warped morality. The aliens believe dominance is virtuous and weakness is contemptible. Neil's attempts at peace and his relinquishment of power to a dog strike them as signs of weakness, leading them to conclude Earth should be destroyed.

  • alien judgment
  • earth destruction
  • council decision
  • morality test
Q6

Why does Neil's wish for Catherine to love him fail?

Neil wishes for Catherine West to fall desperately in love with him, but the wish fails due to a technological hiccup in the alien system. Instead of the intended romantic effect, the malfunction causes Catherine to behave erratically, ultimately visiting Neil unexpectedly, though not from genuine love as he had wished.

  • Catherine
  • love wish
  • malfunction
  • failed wish
Q7

Why do zombies suddenly appear in the movie?

After Neil wishes for his least favorite students to be eliminated, he panics and tries to reverse the wish. In his frantic attempt to fix things, he accidentally animates the dead as flesh-eating zombies. However, he quickly reverses this mistake entirely, erasing the zombie incident from existence.

  • zombies
  • accidental wish
  • reversal
  • chaos
Q8

Why does Colonel Grant kidnap Neil?

Colonel Grant, Catherine's obsessive ex-boyfriend, discovers Neil has some kind of extraordinary ability. Hoping to control or exploit it, Grant kidnaps Neil and restrains him. While captive, Neil is forced to grant Grant's bizarre requests, like giving citizens oversized ears and pink police uniforms, until Catherine and Ray rescue him.

  • Colonel Grant
  • kidnapping
  • restraint
  • bizarre wishes
Q9

Why does Neil give his powers to his dog Dennis?

After contemplating suicide, Neil is saved by Dennis jumping into the Thames to be with him. Dennis tells Neil he should give the power to him because the dog never thinks selfishly. This selfless act inspires Neil to transfer his powers to Dennis, choosing the one being he trusts to use power unselfishly.

  • power transfer
  • Dennis
  • selflessness
  • trust
  • dog loyalty
Q10

What happens with Ray and Miss Pringle?

Neil wishes for his friend Ray to have Miss Pringle's affection, but the wish goes wrong. Instead of genuine love, Miss Pringle develops an obsessive, worshipful fixation on Ray. When she and her followers later help kidnap Neil, it becomes clear the wish created an unhealthy dynamic rather than a real relationship.

  • Ray
  • Miss Pringle
  • obsession
  • backfired wish

Movie threads

More Movies Like Absolutely Anything, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about unlimited power chaos like Absolutely Anything

When ordinary people get god-like abilities, hilarious and unplanned chaos unfolds. If you liked the whimsical chaos of Absolutely Anything, you'll enjoy these movies where characters are given immense power. This list includes similar sci-fi comedies and humorous stories about wishes going haywire and the playful, absurd fallout that follows.

  • chaotic
  • lighthearted
  • absurd
  • playful
  • quirky
  • optimistic
  • Tone: whimsical, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with an ordinary individual receiving a form of unlimited power, often from a fantastical or cosmic source. The story then unfolds as a series of rapid, comedic events triggered by the character's attempts to use their new abilities, usually for personal gain, leading to escalating and uncontrollable chaos before a lesson is learned.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core premise of exploring power through a humorous, low-stakes lens. They prioritize fast-paced, whimsical entertainment and absurd situations over deep emotional weight, creating a consistently lighthearted and playful viewing experience.

Movies with whimsical alien comedies like Absolutely Anything

Playful sci-fi where eccentric aliens interfere with humanity in bizarre ways. Fans of the alien council in Absolutely Anything will enjoy these similar movies. Discover lighthearted sci-fi comedies featuring eccentric aliens, cosmic tests of humanity, and playful stories where extraterrestrial intervention leads to humorous and optimistic outcomes.

  • whimsical
  • quirky
  • optimistic
  • playful
  • absurd
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: whimsical, optimistic
  • Pacing: fast, playful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often feature a benevolent or eccentric alien force that observes or tests humanity in a peculiar way. The conflict arises from the clash between human mundanity and alien absurdity, driving a plot filled with witty dialogue, visual gags, and a resolution that affirms human value without heavy drama.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific tone that combines sci-fi elements with whimsical humor. They are united by the presence of alien characters who are more quirky than threatening, fast-paced plots driven by absurd premises, and an overall feeling of optimistic, lighthearted fun.

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Movies Like Absolutely Anything

Similar movies to Absolutely Anything: 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

Absolutely Anything (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Absolutely Anything 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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