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Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) movie poster

Timeline

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 91 min · English
Directed by
Mandie Fletcher
Starring
Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders, Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks

Following a public relations disaster, fashion-obsessed Edina and Patsy are forced to flee London and seek refuge on the glamorous French Riviera. While attempting to evade the relentless paparazzi, they devise a bold scheme to escape their problems and embrace a life of luxury, leading to hilarious and chaotic adventures along the way.

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 Fabulous: The Movie
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)

Where can you watch Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) 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. Edina's Morning After

    The film opens with Bubble waking up a hungover Edina, who has returned home intoxicated from a fashion event. This sets the tone of Edina's chaotic lifestyle as she rushes to prepare for a vital meeting regarding her autobiography.

    Where
    Edina's home
  2. The Autobiography Deal

    Edina excitedly informs Patsy about her autobiography deal, hoping it will revitalize her PR agency. However, the meeting soon spirals into disappointment as the publisher dismisses her writing and shows little interest in her business.

    Where
    Publisher's office
  3. Fashion Event Chaos

    At a fashion event set up by Patsy, Edina learns that supermodel Kate Moss is looking for a new PR representative. The information accidentally goes public, thanks to a mishap with Patsy's phone during a call with Edina.

    Where
    Fashion event
  4. The Thames Incident

    While trying to engage with Kate Moss, Edina inadvertently knocks her into the Thames, creating a frenzy of panic. This incident captures the media's attention and escalates the chaotic circumstances surrounding Edina's life.

    Where
    The Thames
  5. In Police Custody

    Following the shocking incident, Edina, Patsy, and Lola find themselves in police custody. The media frenzy surrounding Kate Moss's presumed death starts to envelop their lives, deepening the troubles for Edina's already failing business.

    Where
    Police station
  6. Hasty Search for Kate

    In a bid to make things right, Edina and Patsy return to the Thames with Bubble to search for Kate. Unfortunately, their reckless actions lead to a serious misunderstanding involving Bubble, causing them to contemplate fleeing the country.

    Where
    The Thames
  7. Escape to Cannes

    Edina and Patsy arrive in Cannes, seeking refuge and support. Their plan hits a snag when their contact, Patsy's former lover Charlie, declines to help, pushing them to turn to Edina's estranged mother instead.

    Where
    Cannes, France
  8. The Richest Woman in the World

    During a birthday celebration, Edina and Patsy encounter the Richest Woman in the World. To secure financial support, Patsy adopts a male persona, leading to an unexpected marriage that promises newfound wealth.

    Where
    Cannes
  9. Bubble's Secret

    Meanwhile, Saffy discovers that Lola is with Edina and learns from Emma Bunton that Bubble has become a millionaire. It turns out Bubble embezzled money from Edina, complicating the already turbulent situation.

    Where
    Cannes
  10. Police Pursuit

    Frustrated with Edina's antics, Lulu tips off the police about her whereabouts. Edina and Patsy attempt to escape in a comically small van, leading to a hilarious chase through the streets of Cannes.

    Where
    Cannes
  11. The Van Incident

    As they flee, their van's brakes fail, causing them to plunge into Bubble's infinity pool. Saffy witnesses the chaotic scene, leading to a heartfelt confrontation with Edina about her reckless choices and love for her.

    Where
    Bubble's villa
  12. Kate's Revelation

    In a shocking turn of events, it is revealed that Kate Moss is alive and had not drowned. This news revitalizes Edina's spirit and gives her hope for her floundering PR agency.

  13. Regaining Clarity

    With the truth of Kate's survival, Edina decides to stop running from her age and the consequences of her actions. This moment of clarity helps her to reclaim her identity and face the press with newfound strength.

  14. Celebration and Revival

    The film concludes with a montage celebrating Edina's revitalized career as news of Kate's survival spreads. Edina and Patsy are shown reveling in happiness, fully embracing life once again.

  15. Patsy's Confession

    As the story wraps up, Patsy candidly admits to her wealthy spouse that she is not a man, adding a humorous twist. They enjoy a joyous moment, accompanied by a lively performance of 'This Wheel's on Fire' by Kylie Minogue.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:48

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Timeline questions answered

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Edina push Kate Moss into the Thames?

Edina accidentally knocks Kate Moss into the Thames while rushing to connect with her at a fashion event. In her haste to speak to the supermodel about representing her PR business, Edina collides with her, causing Kate to tumble over the balcony and into the river below. The incident is portrayed as an accident rather than intentional, though it stems from Edina's desperate attempt to save her failing PR agency.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Patsy reveals that Kate Moss is looking for a new PR representative, setting up Edina's frantic pursuit.

  • kate moss
  • thames
  • pr agency
  • accident
  • fashion event
Q2

Why do Edina and Patsy flee to Cannes?

Edina and Patsy flee to Cannes to escape the media frenzy and legal trouble following Kate Moss's presumed drowning. After the Thames incident lands them in police custody and Bubble is reportedly killed during their misguided rescue attempt, the duo decides they need to leave England to avoid the growing scandal and paparazzi attention.

Foreshadowing: The media frenzy after the Thames incident escalates quickly, with news crews surrounding the police station.

  • cannes
  • escape
  • media
  • paparazzi
  • police
Q3

How does Patsy end up marrying the richest woman in the world?

Patsy marries the Richest Woman in the World by adopting a male persona called 'Pat' Stone. While attending a birthday celebration with Edina's estranged mother, Patsy poses as a man to win over the wealthy woman, successfully securing a marriage that provides them with financial security and access to a luxurious lifestyle in Cannes.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Patsy's former lover Charlie refuses to help them, pushing them to seek alternative funding from Edina's mother.

  • patsy stone
  • marriage
  • richest woman
  • cannes
  • financial scheme
Q4

What is Bubble's secret in the movie?

Bubble has been embezzling money from Edina's accounts for years and has become a millionaire. After Edina and Patsy flee to Cannes, Saffy discovers that Bubble actually owns a pavilion in Cannes and has accumulated significant wealth through her theft from Edina's failing PR agency.

Foreshadowing: Bubble's competence and unusual financial situation are hinted at earlier when she participates in the frantic Thames search without explanation.

  • bubble
  • embezzlement
  • millionaire
  • cannes
  • saffy
Q5

Why does Lulu report Edina and Patsy to the police?

Lulu reports Edina and Patsy's whereabouts to the police because she is frustrated with Edina's reckless behavior and the chaos it has caused throughout the film. After dealing with Edina's self-destructive tendencies and the resulting mayhem, Lulu decides to turn them in to authorities.

Foreshadowing: Lulu's frustration builds as Edina continues to make irresponsible decisions throughout the film.

  • lulu
  • police tip
  • revenge
  • frustration
Q6

What happens when Edina and Patsy's van crashes?

While fleeing from the police in Cannes, Edina and Patsy attempt to escape in a small fish-market van. The brakes fail and they roll into the infinity pool at Bubble's villa. Saffy witnesses the chaotic scene, leading to a heartfelt confrontation where Edina expresses her desire to stop running from her age and consequences.

Foreshadowing: The police pursuit intensifies after Lulu tips them off, creating the frantic chase scene.

  • van
  • pool
  • cannes
  • chase
  • saffy
Q7

Is Kate Moss actually dead in the movie?

Kate Moss is not dead in the movie. After all the chaos and media frenzy surrounding her presumed drowning, Bubble reveals that Kate Moss is alive and did not drown in the Thames. This revelation restores Edina's reputation and saves her PR agency.

Foreshadowing: The media panic and search efforts create confusion, but the film never definitively shows Kate's death.

  • kate moss alive
  • thames
  • revelation
  • PR agency
Q8

How does Edina's career get revived after the scandal?

Edina's career is revived after Kate Moss is revealed to be alive. Once the truth comes out that Kate survived the Thames incident, the negative publicity reverses completely. Edina's PR agency is reinstated, and she regains her status in the fashion and PR world, leading to a celebratory montage of her revived career.

Foreshadowing: The film builds toward this reversal as the key to resolving all of Edina's problems.

  • career revival
  • PR agency
  • fame
  • success
  • kate moss
Q9

What confession does Patsy make at the end of the movie?

At the end of the movie, Patsy confesses to her wealthy spouse that she is not actually a man. Since Patsy originally married the Richest Woman in the World by posing as 'Pat' Stone, she reveals her true identity as a woman. Despite this revelation, the couple continues to celebrate happily together.

Foreshadowing: Patsy's male persona 'Pat' Stone was established when she tricked the Richest Woman into marriage.

  • patsy confession
  • marriage joke
  • reveal
  • comedy ending
Q10

Why does Saffy go to Cannes looking for Lola?

Saffy goes to Cannes looking for her daughter Lola because she is worried about the teenager's safety after learning she financed Edina and Patsy's getaway. Along with her boyfriend Nick, Saffy tracks them down to Cannes, ultimately arriving just in time to witness the van pool incident and reconcile with her mother.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Lola is enlisted to fund the escape, setting up Saffy's journey to find them.

  • saffy
  • lola
  • cannes
  • search
  • mother daughter

Movie threads

More Movies Like Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with Glamorous Chaos and Midlife Escapades like Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

Outrageous farces where fabulous disasters lead to lavish getaways. If you enjoyed the frantic, glamorous energy of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, you'll love these films. This list features similar comedies about outrageous midlife crises, fashion-fueled scandals, and chaotic attempts at escaping reality, all with a campy, upbeat tone and a happy resolution.

  • campy
  • glamorous
  • frantic
  • hilarious
  • upbeat
  • chaotic
  • Tone: light, campy
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a self-inflicted scandal or a midlife crisis that forces the flamboyant protagonists to flee their comfortable lives. The plot is a fast-paced sequence of chaotic events, ridiculous plans, and chases, often set against a backdrop of luxury and fashion. The narrative arc is less about deep change and more about surviving the chaos with their signature style intact, leading to a happy ending where they emerge, perhaps unscathed and even more fabulous.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together for their shared vibe of exaggerated, campy humor centered around irresponsible but charismatic characters. They consistently blend high-stakes farce with a glamorous aesthetic, ensuring the tone remains light and the emotional weight minimal, resulting in a purely fun and escapist experience.

Movies with Farcical Friend Duos on the Run like Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

Hilarious misadventures of inseparable friends fleeing their problems. Fans of the chaotic friendship between Edina and Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie will enjoy these films. Discover similar stories about eccentric best friends whose outrageous schemes land them in hot water, forcing them to flee while their unbreakable bond is the heart of the comedy.

  • hilarious
  • chaotic
  • frantic
  • buddy comedy
  • codependent
  • loyalty
  • Tone: light, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, variable
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative hinges on the chemistry between two central characters whose combined poor judgment sparks the central conflict. The plot is a vehicle for their banter and antics as they travel from one disastrous situation to the next. The story is less about the destination and more about the humorous journey, reaffirming their unique friendship through shared chaos before reaching a resolution that often leaves them exactly as they started, just with more stories.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their core focus on a specific type of comedic partnership. The similarity lies in the character dynamic: two friends who enable each other's worst tendencies, leading to farcical plots. The joy comes from watching their chaotic synergy, making the specific nature of their misadventures secondary to the strength of their bond.

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Every angle

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie 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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