An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls

Year: 2015

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Aisling Walsh

CrimeDramaThrillerMysteryTV Movie

In 1912 Northern England, the opulent dinner of a prosperous family is unexpectedly disrupted by the arrival of Inspector Goole. He informs them of a young woman's tragic suicide and begins a meticulous inquiry, questioning each member of the household individually to uncover their connection to the deceased and expose a web of secrets and social responsibility.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – An Inspector Calls (2015)

Trace every key event in An Inspector Calls (2015) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Engagement celebration at the Birling home

The wealthy Birling family gathers in Brumley to celebrate Sheila's engagement to Gerald Croft. Mr. Birling uses the moment to boast about their future and social standing. The mood blends pride with polite, cautious chatter as the dinner begins.

Evening (dinner) Birling residence, Brumley
2

Mr. Birling's lecture on self-reliance and honours

Mr. Birling lectures the men about looking after themselves and achieving success by their own efforts. He declares that such a future will even merit an honour in the next list, reflecting his self-important worldview. The conversation hints at a hollow confidence behind the glamorous façade.

During dinner Dining room
3

Women withdraw; men linger

Mrs. Birling and Sheila withdraw from the dining room, leaving the men to finish their talk. The family maintains outward calm, but a simmering tension undercuts their civility. The moment marks the beginning of the evening's unraveling.

During dinner Dining room
4

Inspector Goole arrives and begins the case

Edna informs the men that a police inspector has arrived, and Inspector Goole introduces himself as investigating Eva Smith's suicide. He insists on taking statements one item at a time and keeps some details for later. The formal inquiry cuts through the earlier festive mood.

Evening Birling home, dining room
5

Birling admits knowing Eva Smith

Mr. Birling acknowledges he knew Eva Smith, who had worked in his factory and was dismissed after leading a strike for equal pay. He describes the strike as lasting over a week, but the workers returned when they ran out of money. He claims he bears no responsibility for Eva's death.

Evening Drawing room
6

Sheila recalls the Milwards incident

Sheila recounts the Milwards dress incident, remembering how she demanded Eva's dismissal after admiring a dress in the shop. She feels humiliated and guilty, realizing Eva did not deserve to be blamed. The memory shows how a moment of vanity hurt a vulnerable woman.

Earlier in the day Milwards department store
7

Gerald's past with Daisy Renton

Inspector Goole presses Gerald about a woman named Daisy Renton, Eva's later alias. Gerald admits they had a summer relationship, helped her financially, and found her lodging, but says the relationship ended after a few months. His actions reveal a charitable facade masking a more complex truth.

Summer prior to the present evening Palace Bar and a flat belonging to a friend
8

Mrs. Birling's cold charity stance

The inspector questions Mrs. Birling about the woman who sought help, Daisy, who used the alias Mrs Birling. Daisy's plea is denied by Mrs. Birling, who condemns the woman and insists the father be found. The exchange exposes Mrs. Birling's class prejudice and its impact on Eva's fate.

Evening Charity committee room (Birling residence)
9

Eric's confession erupts

Eric enters and breaks down, confessing he is the young man who impregnated Eva and that he stole money to support her. He reveals the pregnancy and his attempt to cover it up, exposing a pattern of secrecy and irresponsibility in the family. The admission shocks the others and heightens the confrontation.

Evening Drawing room
10

Eva's death is linked to the family actions

Inspector Goole reveals that Eva/Daisy/Alice died after drinking disinfectant, linking the family's complicity to a fatal consequence. He emphasizes that every action has consequences and that people are intertwined in a single society. The revelation crystallizes the moral gravity of the evening.

Later that night Infirmary (death scene)
11

The hoax theory takes hold

The family questions whether Inspector Goole is real, calling the chief constable who confirms there is no inspector with that name. Gerald and the elder Birlings feel relief, while Eric and Sheila continue to feel guilt. The idea of a hoax adds a troubling layer to the night's events.

After inspector's departure Birling home
12

A new death compels the family to face judgment

A phone call confirms a young woman has died in the infirmary, prompting the police to question the family. The inspector's identity remains unexplained, but the family’s confessions have already begun to carry public consequences. The sense of immediate accountability intensifies.

Moments after the hoax doubt Birling home
13

Endings and moral reckoning

With the looming inquiry and the threat of public disgrace, the family confronts the moral weight of their actions. Gerald offers a sense of relief, while Sheila and Eric struggle with guilt and the broader social responsibility implied by the inspector's words. The play closes on a sobering note about interconnected lives and accountability.

End of evening Birling home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:54

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An Inspector Calls Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in An Inspector Calls

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