Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
All Screwed Up (1974) movie poster

Timeline

All Screwed Up (1974) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1974 · 105 mins · Italian
Directed by
Lina Wertmüller
Starring
Eros Pagni, Giuliana Calandra, Luigi Diberti, Cesare Gelli, Aldo Puglisi, Loredana Martínez

The film follows a collective of southern‑Italian laborers who have settled together in Milan in 1974. It examines every facet of their existence—romantic relationships, domestic routines, work dynamics, sexual encounters and daily struggles—showing that while money isn’t everything, it becomes the sole driving force in their lives.

Drama Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

All Screwed Up Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of All Screwed Up (1974) 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. Arrival in Milan

    Gino and Carletto, two young men from the countryside, arrive in Milan seeking a better life. They quickly meet a young woman, Adelina, who is also new and upset because she cannot find her cousin Isotta. The men help her locate Isotta, and they plan to meet again.

    Where
    Milan

  2. Getting factory jobs

    Gino and Carletto find work in factories, starting their new life in the city. Adelina is taken in by Isotta and learns to work as a maid from her resourceful friend Biki. The group begins to settle into their new urban environment.

    Where
    Milan

  3. Living in the artists' apartment

    They all move into an apartment that once belonged to an artist who committed suicide. The space becomes their shared home, reflecting their integration into Milanese urban life and their economic struggles.

    Where
    Milan

  4. Joining Sante and Mariuccia

    They are joined by Sante and his pregnant girlfriend Mariuccia, who initially say they will stay only a few weeks. When Mariuccia gives birth to twins, the group remains together, increasing their household and financial pressures.

    Where
    Milan

  5. Adelina’s traditional values

    Adelina, a traditional Sicilian girl, insists on remaining chaste despite her urban lifestyle and growing independence. Carletto proposes, but she suggests he should find a better job before they marry.

    Where
    Milan

  6. Carletto's job change and proposal plans

    Carletto secures a better job working in a restaurant. He proposes to Adelina again, but she declines marriage for financial reasons, preferring to save money to open a small shop in the future.

    Where
    Milan

  7. Gino’s criminal activity

    Gino falls in with a petty crook and begins working as a burglar, ashamed of his actions. He lies to Carletto about working independently, concealing his criminal activities from his friend.

    Where
    Milan

  8. Sexual violence towards Adelina

    A friend advises Carletto that forcing himself on Adelina is the only way to be with her. Carletto commits sexual assault in the kitchen, leading to complex feelings and conflicts regarding their relationship.

    Where
    Milan

  9. Adelina's refusal and family struggles

    Despite her initial satisfaction, Adelina refuses to continue a sexual relationship with Carletto, citing financial reasons. The group faces economic hardships, and Adelina worries about her cousin Isotta, who secretly works as a prostitute to send money home.

    Where
    Milan

  10. Sante’s arrest and political involvement

    Sante becomes desperate over his pregnant wife Mariuccia’s repeated pregnancies and gets involved with fascists. He is arrested as part of a plot where he is made the fall guy after a man is killed, leaving the group shocked.

    Where
    Milan

  11. Gino’s confession and guilt

    Gino admits to Carletto that he is a burglar with a criminal record and cannot get involved with the police. His confession creates further tension and reveals his internal conflict about his lifestyle.

    Where
    Milan

  12. Carletto’s contemplation of leaving

    Carletto briefly considers moving away from Milan to start anew, reminiscing about his past and the possibilities of a different life. However, his plans are interrupted when he is called back to work, anchoring him to his current circumstances.

    Where
    Milan

Last updated: April 24, 2026 at 12:37

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

All Screwed Up Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of All Screwed Up (1974): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Gino turn to burglary in Milan?

Gino turns to burglary after being scammed on his first day in Milan and struggling to find legitimate work. He falls in with a petty crook and begins working as a burglar, but he feels ashamed of his actions and hides this from Carletto, claiming he is working independently.

  • gino
  • burglary
  • crime
  • milan
  • employment
Q2

Why does Sante get involved with fascists?

Sante becomes desperate after discovering that his girlfriend Mariuccia is pregnant again, despite already having twins. The overwhelming financial pressure drives him to seek help from fascist groups, ultimately becoming arrested as a fall guy in a violent incident where a man is killed.

Foreshadowing: The financial strain from Mariuccia's first pregnancy and twins was established early, showing the mounting pressures on the group.

  • sante
  • fascists
  • arrest
  • pregnancy
  • desperation
Q3

Why does Isotta become a prostitute?

Isotta secretly works as a prostitute to send money back to her rural family in Sicily. While she presents herself as a successful worker to her relatives, she maintains this hidden profession to support them financially, showing the extreme measures people take to escape poverty.

  • isotta
  • prostitution
  • money
  • family
  • sicily
Q4

What leads to Carletto assaulting Adelina?

Carletto is desperate to be with Adelina, who consistently refuses to have a sexual relationship with him. A friend advises him that forcing himself on her is the only way to be with her, and he acts on this horrific advice, assaulting her in the kitchen.

Foreshadowing: Adelina's repeated refusals and the friend's twisted advice create the catalyst for this tragic event.

  • carletto
  • adelina
  • assault
  • violence
  • rejection
Q5

Why does Adelina reject Carletto's marriage proposals?

Adelina insists on remaining chaste and refuses marriage because she wants financial stability first. She tells Carletto to find a better job and save money so they can eventually open a small shop together in the future, prioritizing economic security over a traditional marriage.

Foreshadowing: Her traditional Sicilian values were established early, emphasizing modesty and financial prudence.

  • adelina
  • marriage
  • proposal
  • money
  • tradition
Q6

Why does Carletto consider leaving Milan?

Carletto briefly considers leaving Milan to start anew after witnessing Gino's criminal activities, his friend's arrest, and the overall deterioration of their situation. He reminisces about his past and dreams of a different life, but he is called back to work, forcing him to remain in the city.

  • carletto
  • leaving milan
  • work
  • escape
  • dreams
Q7

Why do the characters stay in Milan despite their struggles?

The group remains in Milan because they have no better alternatives. Their initial hope for a better life keeps them anchored even as circumstances worsen. When Mariuccia gives birth to twins, their planned short stay extends indefinitely, and the city becomes their only option despite the poverty, crime, and exploitation surrounding them.

  • milan
  • staying
  • poverty
  • hope
  • cycle
Q8

Why does Gino confess his criminal activities to Carletto?

Gino confesses to Carletto that he is a burglar with a criminal record after Carletto witnesses him fleeing the scene of a violent incident. Gino explains that he cannot risk involving himself with the police because of his record, revealing the fear and shame that has been driving his deception throughout their friendship.

  • gino
  • confession
  • criminal record
  • police
  • fear

Movie threads

More Movies Like All Screwed Up, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about bleak urban despair like All Screwed Up

Stories of hopeful arrivals in the city crushed by systemic poverty. If you liked the gritty portrayal of immigrant struggle in All Screwed Up, explore more movies about urban poverty and social decay. These films capture the feeling of hope turning to despair as characters are worn down by the city's unforgiving nature.

  • gritty
  • desperate
  • oppressive
  • melancholic
  • anxious
  • realistic
  • Tone: bleak, oppressive
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically follow a downward trajectory. Characters arrive with optimism, but the cumulative weight of economic hardship, moral compromise, and strained relationships leads to a bleak ending where they are trapped in the cycle they sought to escape.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared portrayal of the city as an oppressive force, their steady pacing that builds a comprehensive picture of decline, and their heavy emotional weight centered on themes of existential crisis and social decay.

Gully movie poster

Gully

2019
Bleeder movie poster

Bleeder

1999
Days of Darkness movie poster

Days of Darkness

2007
Black Gravel movie poster

Black Gravel

1961
Sorry We Missed You movie poster

Sorry We Missed You

2020
Godforsaken movie poster

Godforsaken

2020
The Lower Depths movie poster

The Lower Depths

1957
Ronth movie poster

Ronth

2025

Movies about a group's moral collapse like in All Screwed Up

Films where a tight-knit group's unity fractures under shared hardship. Fans of All Screwed Up who were captivated by the dynamics of the collective can find similar movies here. These stories explore how a group of friends or comrades fractures under pressure, often leading to a tragic or bleak outcome for everyone involved.

  • strained relationships
  • moral compromise
  • desperate
  • anxious
  • tragic
  • ensemble drama
  • Tone: bleak, tense
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a central group. Initially united by a common goal or circumstance, the group faces escalating challenges that expose personal weaknesses and conflicting morals. The storyline documents the unraveling of their unity, often culminating in betrayal, isolation, or shared demise.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their ensemble focus, the theme of friendship strained to breaking point, and a steady pacing that meticulously builds tension within the group dynamic, leading to an emotionally heavy and bleak conclusion.

Down Terrace movie poster

Down Terrace

2010
The Lower Depths movie poster

The Lower Depths

1957
Gravesend movie poster

Gravesend

1997
Gully movie poster

Gully

2019
The Lower Depths movie poster

The Lower Depths

1937
Awaydays movie poster

Awaydays

2009
Coming Down the Mountain movie poster

Coming Down the Mountain

2007
All Fall Down movie poster

All Fall Down

1962

Every angle

All Screwed Up (1974) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about All Screwed Up 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app