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Anyone But You (2023) movie poster

Timeline

Anyone But You (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 1 h 43 m · English
Echo score 63
JustWatch #1,774 31
Directed by
Will Gluck
Starring
Glen Powell, Bryan Brown, Sydney Sweeney, Dermot Mulroney, Alexandra Shipp, Hadley Robinson
Budget
$25M

Following an awkward first date, Bea and Ben are unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. They decide to pretend to be a couple to navigate the weekend, but as they play the part, their initial animosity gives way to unexpected feelings, leading them to question if their charade can lead to something real.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Anyone But You
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Anyone But You (2023)

Where can you watch Anyone But You? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on fuboTV, FXNow and Hulu: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Anyone But You Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Anyone But You (2023) 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. Restroom Key Incident

    In a bustling coffee shop, law student Bea finds herself in a frustrating predicament as she desperately seeks a restroom key. Her situation becomes a little brighter when Ben, an employee at Goldman Sachs, steps in and pretends to be her husband to help her navigate the long line and secure the much-needed access.

    Where
    Coffee Shop
  2. Unforgettable Day Together

    After their initial meet-cute, Bea and Ben strike up an instant chemistry that leads them to spend an enchanting day together. Their connection deepens, culminating in the unexpected intimacy of falling asleep on Ben’s couch by the day's end.

    Where
    Ben's Apartment
  3. Morning Regret

    The next morning, Bea sneaks out of Ben’s apartment without waking him, leading to a feeling of regret that soon creeps in. Her decision to leave without a proper goodbye sets the stage for the emotional turmoil that follows.

  4. Hurtful Overhear

    When Bea decides to return to Ben, she accidentally overhears him making hurtful comments about her to his friend Pete. This betrayal leaves her devastated and marks a painful turning point in their budding relationship.

    Where
    Ben's Apartment
  5. Ben's Reflection

    Devastated by Bea's sudden departure and his own hurtful words, Ben reflects on a significant gift from his mother, a colossal wrench representing the need for repair. This moment highlights his internal struggle and sets the tone for his feelings moving forward.

  6. Six-Month Silence

    For the next six months, Bea and Ben go without any contact, allowing unresolved feelings and resentment to fester. This silence contributes to their complicated emotions when fate inevitably brings them back together.

  7. Sisters' Relationship

    Unexpectedly, Bea's sister Halle starts dating Pete's sister Claudia, leading to a tense reunion between Bea and Ben. Their unresolved feelings from the past are palpable, creating an awkward atmosphere as they prepare for an upcoming wedding.

  8. Flight to Australia

    Bea, who has recently broken off her engagement to Jonathan and left law school, is shocked to find herself on the same flight to Australia as Ben. To make matters worse, they discover they will be staying in the same house leading up to Halle and Claudia's wedding.

    Where
    Flight to Australia
  9. Wedding Preparations Chaos

    As the wedding preparations unfold, tensions peak between Bea and Ben, leading to chaos that results in destroyed decorations and Halle’s hair mishap. Concerns arise among those involved about whether their animosity will ruin the special occasion.

    Where
    Wedding Venue
  10. Pretend Relationship

    In a strategic move, Bea and Ben agree to pretend to be a couple to provoke jealousy from their exes and deter their families from trying to rekindle past romances. This arrangement illustrates the complexity of their feelings as they navigate the charade.

  11. Boat Party Dance

    During a boat party, Bea and Ben share an intimate dance that evokes classic movie vibes, enhancing their connection. However, a mishap causes Bea to fall into Sydney Harbour, leading to revealing confessions as they await rescue.

    Where
    Sydney Harbour
  12. Emotional Confessions

    While waiting to be rescued, Bea opens up about her struggles with leaving law school and breaking off her engagement with Jonathan. In turn, Ben shares his feelings of hurt, leading to a deep emotional connection just before they share a night of passion.

    Where
    Sydney Harbour
  13. Morning of Wedding Drama

    On the wedding morning, Margaret confronts Bea, asking for permission to pursue Ben again, which leaves Bea feeling conflicted and uncertain about her feelings. This moment heightens the tension between the characters as they approach the wedding.

  14. Ben's Risky Pursuit

    Realizing that Margaret does not hold his heart, Ben takes a leap of faith by jumping into the ocean in pursuit of Bea, determined to express his true feelings. This act of bravery signifies his willingness to risk everything for a chance at love.

    Where
    Ocean
  15. Heartfelt Reconciliation

    In an emotionally charged moment at the iconic Opera House, Ben courageously confesses his fears about their relationship to Bea. Their heartfelt discussion leads to a genuine reconciliation, setting the stage for their return to the wedding reception together.

    Where
    Opera House

Last updated: October 24, 2024 at 09:01

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Timeline questions answered

Anyone But You Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Anyone But You (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Bea leave Ben's apartment without waking him?

Bea left Ben's apartment without waking him because she felt awkward and nervous about the situation. After spending an unforgettable day together and falling asleep on his couch, she panicked about what would happen when he woke up, so she quietly left. This decision later led to her regret and return, but that's when she unfortunately overheard his hurtful comments to Pete.

  • bea
  • ben
  • leaving
  • apartment
  • morning
Q2

Why did Ben make hurtful comments about Bea to Pete?

Ben made hurtful comments about Bea because he felt betrayed and humiliated after she left his apartment without saying goodbye. When she returned, he was angry and hurt, so he spoke negatively about her to Pete as a way to protect himself from appearing vulnerable. However, he genuinely had strong feelings for her, which Pete later pointed out.

  • ben
  • bea
  • pete
  • hurtful comments
  • feeling hurt
Q3

Why did Bea leave law school and break up with Jonathan?

Bea left law school because she realized it wasn't her true passion, she had been pursuing it to please her family rather than herself. This internal conflict caused her to break off her engagement to Jonathan as well, since she couldn't commit to a future built on a path that didn't feel authentic to her.

  • bea
  • law school
  • jonathan
  • breakup
  • engagement
Q4

Why did Halle and Claudia bring Bea and Ben to the same wedding?

Halle and Claudia deliberately orchestrated the situation to reunite Bea and Ben. When Halle started dating Claudia's brother Pete's sister, they realized both Bea and Ben would be connected to the wedding, so they arranged for them to be on the same flight and stay in the same house. The sisters had figured out that there was unfinished business between them and wanted to give them another chance.

  • halle
  • claudia
  • wedding
  • reunion
  • scheme
Q5

Why did Bea and Ben agree to pretend to be a couple?

Bea and Ben agreed to pretend to be a couple because they both wanted to get their families off their backs. Bea's parents were pushing her toward reconciling with Jonathan, while Ben's family was pressuring him about Margaret. By pretending to be together, they hoped to make their exes jealous and stop the family interference in their lives.

  • pretend relationship
  • family
  • exes
  • jealousy
Q6

Why did Margaret ask Bea for permission to pursue Ben?

Margaret asked Bea for permission to pursue Ben again because she still had feelings for him and noticed the tension between Bea and Ben. Margaret wanted to respect Bea's potential claim on Ben before making her move, though this put Bea in an awkward position since she was also conflicted about her own feelings.

  • margaret
  • ben
  • permission
  • pursue
  • ex
Q7

Why did Ben jump into the ocean to reach Bea?

Ben jumped into the ocean because he realized that Margaret was not who he wanted, he wanted to be with Bea. When he saw Bea upset and walking away, he took a bold, risky step to demonstrate his commitment and catch her before she left, proving his feelings were genuine.

  • ben
  • ocean
  • jump
  • romantic gesture
  • pursuit
Q8

What did Ben confess to Bea at the Opera House?

At the Opera House, Ben confessed his fears about their relationship, admitting that he was scared of getting hurt again and of the uncertainty of whether they could actually work. He opened up about his emotional vulnerabilities, which allowed them to have an honest conversation and reconcile their differences.

  • opera house
  • confession
  • fears
  • reconciliation
Q9

What was the significance of the wrench Ben received from his mother?

The wrench was a meaningful gift from Ben's mother that symbolized repair and fixing things that feel broken. Ben kept it as a reminder of his ability to mend what is broken, and it represented his emotional journey, his realization that he needed to repair the situation with Bea after his hurtful words damaged their potential relationship.

  • wrench
  • mother
  • gift
  • symbolism
  • repair
Q10

Why did Jonathan and Margaret end up together at the end?

Jonathan and Margaret got together as part of the orchestrated drama at the wedding. Since Bea and Ben were reunited through Halle and Claudia's scheme, it created an opportunity for Jonathan and Margaret to find comfort in each other after being rejected, leading to a happy ending where all the couples were paired off.

  • jonathan
  • margaret
  • ending
  • couples
  • together

Movie threads

More Movies Like Anyone But You, by Mood & Story

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

Fake Relationship Charades like in Anyone But You

Couples who pretend to be in love only to find real feelings blooming. If you enjoyed the witty banter and romantic tension of 'Anyone But You', explore more movies where fake relationships turn real. These stories are perfect for fans of playful romantic comedies with charming characters, awkward situations, and inevitable happy endings.

  • romantic
  • funny
  • charming
  • playful
  • awkward
  • heartwarming
  • Tone: light, playful, romantic
  • Pacing: steady, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a pragmatic agreement—to appease family, secure a benefit, or survive a social event. Through a series of shared experiences and comedic set pieces, the characters' defensive animosity softens into vulnerability and genuine care, culminating in a confession that their charade has become their reality.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are united by the classic 'fake dating' trope, which creates a predictable but satisfying arc from contrived conflict to authentic connection. They share a light tone, a steady pace of romantic developments, and a focus on the humorous and heartfelt moments that arise from the central deception.

Charming Romantic Comedy Escapes like Anyone But You

Love stories set against the backdrop of a picturesque vacation or event. Find more movies like 'Anyone But You' that blend romance and comedy in a gorgeous destination. These films offer a delightful escape with sunny settings, wedding chaos, or travel adventures that provide the perfect backdrop for a heartwarming and funny love story.

  • charming
  • funny
  • romantic
  • uplifting
  • sentimental
  • playful
  • Tone: light, charming, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story often involves characters thrown together in an idyllic or high-stakes social setting, like a destination wedding or a group vacation. The confined environment and shared experiences force interaction, breaking down initial barriers. The journey is as much about enjoying the beautiful scenery and celebratory atmosphere as it is about the central couple finding their way to each other.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that balance a light, funny tone with a strong romantic core, all set within an appealing, escapist framework. They provide a comforting viewing experience with predictable, satisfying endings, medium intensity driven by social dynamics, and a focus on charm and feel-good vibes.

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Movies Like Anyone But You

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Every angle

Anyone But You (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Anyone But You in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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