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Belly of the Beast (2020) movie poster

Timeline

Belly of the Beast (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 82 min · English
Echo score 84
Directed by
Erika Cohn

This documentary explores a disturbing case of medical malpractice and the subsequent fight for justice. It centers on Kelli Dillon, a former inmate who underwent a controversial and unauthorized hysterectomy performed by doctors. The film examines the events surrounding the procedure and the repercussions that followed, raising questions about medical ethics and the treatment of incarcerated individuals.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Belly of the Beast
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Belly of the Beast (2020)

Where can you watch Belly of the Beast? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Google Play Movies and YouTube: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Belly of the Beast Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Belly of the Beast (2020) 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. CIA Agent Jake Hopper's Assignment

    Ten years ago, CIA agent Jake Hopper was stationed in Thailand, where he engaged in a dangerous encounter with local thugs. This violent clash not only endangered his partner Sunti but also resulted in the tragic death of an innocent woman, marking a pivotal moment in Jake's life.

    When
    Ten years prior
    Where
    Thailand
  2. Jake's Life Post-CIA

    Following the traumatic events and the death of his wife, Jake decides to leave the CIA and return to the United States. He successfully reinvents himself as a businessman, running a private security firm, while caring for his now-adult daughter, Jessica.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    United States
  3. Jessica's Kidnapping

    During a hiking trip in Thailand, Jessica and her friend Sara Winthorpe are kidnapped by the Islamic group, Abu Karaf. The group demands the release of twenty prisoners held in American custody, thrusting Jake back into a world of danger.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Thailand
  4. Jake Receives the Ransom Video

    Tom Collins, a former colleague of Jake's, recognizes Jessica in a ransom video and immediately informs Jake. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Jake realizes he must act swiftly to save the girls from their captors.

    When
    Present day
  5. Jake Arrives in Bangkok

    Upon arriving in Bangkok, Jake narrowly escapes an assassination attempt orchestrated by gangsters and shadowy figures. This frightening experience reinforces the danger surrounding him and the urgency of his mission.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Bangkok
  6. Leon Meets with Soku

    Leon Washington, a CIA agent now stationed in Thailand, meets with Soku, the internal security chief for General Jantapan. Their conversation uncovers the general's ambitions for power and involvement in occult activities.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Thailand
  7. Jake Seeks Spiritual Guidance

    Faced with peril, Jake seeks wisdom from his spiritual mentor, Paijan Paitoon. Paitoon advises him to contact an oracle, which leads Jake to enlist the help of Sunti, hoping to leverage their past connection for guidance.

    When
    Present day
  8. Team-Up with Sunti

    Jake reunites with Sunti, who has now embraced a life as a Buddhist monk seeking redemption. Together, they connect with Lulu, the girlfriend of arms dealer Fitch McQuoid, to gather intelligence on the Abu Karaf.

    When
    Present day
  9. Discovery of Advanced Weaponry

    In their investigation, Jake and Sunti stumble upon a warehouse filled with advanced weaponry. This discovery sheds light on the significant threat posed by the Abu Karaf and the broader implications of the conflict at hand.

    When
    Present day
  10. Unveiling Jantapan's Scheme

    Through a series of leads, Jake uncovers that the kidnapping was part of a larger plot orchestrated by General Jantapan. His aim is to manipulate rival factions and eliminate any opposition, using the Abu Karaf as a scapegoat.

    When
    Present day
  11. Confrontation with Mongkol

    Jake finally confronts Mongkol, the leader of the Abu Karaf, and learns about the extent of Jantapan's wicked schemes. This leads to a fierce confrontation where Jake realizes the lives of the girls hang in the balance amidst the chaos.

    When
    Present day
  12. The Final Showdown

    Jake and Sunti execute a daring plan to infiltrate Jantapan's mansion and rescue the girls. The ensuing battle with gang members and corrupt officials is intense and culminates in a climactic confrontation with Jantapan himself.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    Jantapan's mansion
  13. Loss and Grief

    In the aftermath of the explosive showdown, Jake faces the emotional toll of his actions when Sunti is fatally wounded. The arrival of military forces led by Leon does little to ease Jake's burden, as he grapples with the tragedy of losing his close friend.

    When
    Present day
  14. Jake's Farewell to Sunti

    In a sorrowful farewell, Jake gives Sunti a Buddhist funeral, casting his ashes into the river. As he reflects on their brotherly bond, Jake feels the weight of loss but also cherishes the memories and sacrifices they made together.

    When
    Present day
    Where
    River

Last updated: November 09, 2024 at 11:26

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Timeline questions answered

Belly of the Beast Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Belly of the Beast (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Jake Hopper leave the CIA?

Jake left the CIA after a traumatic incident in Thailand ten years prior. During a violent clash with local thugs, an innocent woman was killed, which haunted both Jake and his partner Sunti. Additionally, Jake's wife died around the same time, prompting him to return to the United States and leave his covert career behind.

  • jake hopper
  • cia
  • thailand
  • resignation
  • partner sunti
Q2

Why did Sunti become a Buddhist monk?

Sunti became a Buddhist monk to seek redemption for his past actions. The tragic death of an innocent woman during the violent clash with thug in Thailand weighed heavily on him, and he chose the path of spiritual enlightenment to atone for his role in that incident.

  • sunti
  • buddhist monk
  • redemption
  • thailand
  • past trauma
Q3

Who really ordered Jessica's kidnapping?

Although the Abu Karaf group initially took credit for the kidnapping, General Jantapan actually orchestrated the entire operation. He used the Abu Karaf as a scapegoat to eliminate rival factions while pursuing his own agenda of power, control over narcotics and arms markets, and political dominance in Thailand.

  • jessica kidnapping
  • general jantapan
  • abu karaf
  • conspiracy
Q4

Why does Jake suspect Leon Washington?

Jake grows suspicious of Leon after enduring a second assassination attempt in Bangkok. Given that the CIA itself is planning to neutralize the Abu Karaf with the Thai army, Jake realizes Leon may be working against him to prevent interference with the military operation, even if it means putting Jake's life at risk.

  • leon washington
  • cia
  • assassination attempt
  • suspicion
Q5

What was General Jantapan's real plan?

General Jantapan orchestrated the kidnapping to seize control of Thailand's narcotics and arms markets while eliminating rival factions. He manipulated both the Abu Karaf and the political situation, using the kidnapping crisis as cover to consolidate power and pursue his ambitious coup attempt.

  • general jantapan
  • coup
  • arms market
  • narcotics
  • power grab
Q6

What did the oracle tell Jake about the spiritual threat?

The oracle warned Jake about malicious spiritual forces acting against him, which aligned with Jantapan's involvement in ominous spiritual activities. This cryptic message highlighted that the conflict extended beyond physical danger into a spiritual dimension, adding another layer of complexity to Jake's mission.

  • oracle
  • spiritual threat
  • jantapan
  • prophecy
Q7

How did Jake and Sunti rescue the girls from Jantapan's mansion?

Jake and Sunti executed a daring infiltration plan into Jantapan's mansion. They fought through gang members and corrupt police forces in an intense battle, ultimately confronting Jantapan directly and rescuing the girls before the military forces arrived.

  • jantapan mansion
  • rescue mission
  • fight
  • action climax
Q8

Why was Sunti killed in the final showdown?

Sunti was fatally wounded during the explosive confrontation at Jantapan's mansion. While Jake and Sunti successfully rescued the girls and defeated Jantapan, Sunti succumbed to his injuries in the aftermath, marking a tragic end to his redemption arc and leaving Jake to grapple with profound grief.

  • sunti death
  • final battle
  • jake
  • hospital
  • tragic ending
Q9

Was Leon Washington working with Jantapan?

Leon was not directly working with Jantapan, but his loyalty to the CIA's operation took precedence over helping Jake. The CIA planned to neutralize the Abu Karaf with the Thai army, viewing Jake as a potential distraction. Leon's actions, while suspicious, stemmed from following orders rather than active collusion with the villain.

  • leon washington
  • cia orders
  • mission conflict
  • jake
Q10

What was the Abu Karaf's role in the kidnapping?

The Abu Karaf was used as a front for Jantapan's scheme. While the group initially took responsibility and appeared to be the captors, they were actually manipulated by Jantapan, who orchestrated the entire operation behind the scenes while using them as a convenient scapegoat.

  • abu karaf
  • terrorist group
  • scapegoat
  • jantapan manipulation
Q11

How did Jake honor Sunti after his death?

Jake gave Sunti a traditional Buddhist funeral, casting his ashes into the river. This solemn farewell honored their brotherly bond and Sunti's path as a monk, providing a poignant conclusion to their relationship that spanned from their CIA days to the final mission.

  • funeral
  • ashes
  • river
  • buddhist ceremony
  • sunti tribute
Q12

Why was Jessica specifically targeted for kidnapping?

Jessica was targeted because she was Jake Hopper's daughter. The kidnappers knew Jake was a former CIA agent with valuable skills and connections, making her abduction an effective way to draw him into the conflict. Sara Winthorpe was kidnapped alongside her as additional leverage, given her father Senator John Winthorpe's political influence.

  • jessica
  • jake daughter
  • kidnapping leverage
  • senator daughter

Movie threads

More Movies Like Belly of the Beast, by Mood & Story

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

Exposé Documentaries of Systemic Injustice like Belly of the Beast

Documentaries that uncover and challenge deep-rooted corruption and abuse of power. For viewers seeking movies like Belly of the Beast, this section features powerful documentaries that expose institutional corruption and fight for justice. If you were gripped by the real-world investigation and ethical questions, you'll find similar stories of uncovering malpractice and systemic abuse.

  • urgent
  • gritty
  • oppressive
  • sobering
  • investigative
  • tense
  • Tone: dark, urgent
  • Pacing: fast, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These documentaries typically follow a pattern of discovery, investigation, and confrontation. They begin by introducing a victim or a case that hints at a larger problem, then meticulously piece together evidence to expose a systemic failure, often facing significant opposition from the powerful entities involved.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on real-world investigative journeys, a dark and urgent tone, and a commitment to raising awareness about ethical and social issues. They create a heavy, impactful viewing experience centered on truth and accountability.

Bittersweet Truths in Heavy Documentaries like Belly of the Beast

Stories where the pursuit of justice brings validation, but the cost remains profound. If you appreciated the complex emotional payoff of Belly of the Beast, this section highlights similar documentaries with bittersweet endings. These films explore heavy themes where achieving justice is a painful victory, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer with their realistic and emotionally resonant conclusions.

  • bittersweet
  • melancholic
  • heavy
  • sobering
  • thought-provoking
  • resonant
  • Tone: bittersweet, heavy
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative journey in these films builds towards a resolution that is neither purely triumphant nor utterly hopeless. A key truth is uncovered or a fight is won, but it comes at a significant personal cost, acknowledging the lasting trauma and the imperfect nature of justice.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their emotionally heavy weight and a specifically bittersweet ending feel. They balance the darkness of their subject matter with a glimmer of hard-fought progress, creating a powerfully resonant and thought-provoking experience that avoids simple conclusions.

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Movies Like Belly of the Beast

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Every angle

Belly of the Beast (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Belly of the Beast 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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