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Big Ass Spider! (2013) movie poster

Timeline

Big Ass Spider! (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 80 min · English
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Directed by
Mike Mendez

A charismatic exterminator joins forces with the military to combat a massive spider threatening Los Angeles. The giant arachnid is causing widespread destruction, and as the unlikely team confronts the eight-legged creature, they also grapple with their own eccentricities and past traumas, leading to a humorous and action-packed struggle for survival.

Sci-Fi Comedy Cast, crew & box office
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 Big Ass Spider!
  6. 6 Every angle
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Big Ass Spider! Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Big Ass Spider! (2013) 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. Alex's Struggles

    In Los Angeles, we meet Alex Mathis, an exterminator grappling with financial difficulties. Despite his good intentions, he finds himself struggling to make ends meet while pursuing his vocation.

    Where
    Los Angeles

  2. Spider Bite Incident

    While attempting to assist an elderly woman with a rodent problem, Alex is bitten by a venomous spider. This alarming event propels him into a chaotic trip to the hospital, marking a turning point in his life.

    Where
    Elderly Woman's Home

  3. Meeting José

    In the hospital, Alex meets José Ramos, a straightforward security guard. Their unexpected friendship forms as they realize they both face a terrifying challenge together.

    Where
    Hospital

  4. The Chase Begins

    After discovering the spider has escaped into the complex air vents of the city, Alex and José devise a plan to track it down. The urgency of their mission grows with each passing moment as the spider's terror unfolds.

    Where
    Los Angeles

  5. Military Involvement

    A U.S. military task force arrives, led by Major Braxton Tanner and Lieutenant Karly Brant, to investigate a mysterious corpse linked to the spider. Tensions rise as Alex is drawn to Karly, who conceals critical information.

    Where
    Los Angeles

  6. Spider Terrorizes Civilians

    As the spider begins its rampage, innocent civilians in a crowded park become its targets. All the while, Alex and José realize the severity of their task to re-capture the dangerous arachnid.

    Where
    Park

  7. Failed Military Trap

    In a heart-racing showdown, Alex and José attempt to trap the spider, but it slips away. This failure leads Karly and her team into a frantic chase through the woods as the threat looms larger.

    Where
    Woods

  8. Origins of the Spider

    Amid their hunt, Alex discovers the shocking truth: the spider was altered by alien DNA in a scientific experiment. This revelation comes just as the spider begins to multiply, escalating the potential disaster.

    Where
    City

  9. The Spider's Lair

    The colossal spider claims the iconic U.S. Bank Tower as its new lair. As they approach, Alex and José prepare for a confrontation, fully aware of the grave risks that lie ahead.

    Where
    U.S. Bank Tower

  10. Rescue and Confrontation

    Inside the spider's nest, Alex and José rescue Karly and several civilians just as the spider's offspring begin their assault. They find themselves in a battle against time and monstrous threats.

    Where
    Spider's Nest

  11. Discovering the Spider's Weakness

    In a moment of clarity, Alex identifies the spider’s weak spinneret as its Achilles' heel. This crucial knowledge sparks a plan to finally attack the monstrous creature.

    Where
    Spider's Nest

  12. The Final Showdown

    Using a rocket launcher, José takes aim at the spider's vulnerable spot under Alex's guidance. This climactic moment leads to the slaying of the monstrous arachnid in a thrilling finish.

    Where
    Spider's Nest

  13. A Brief Respite

    In the aftermath of their harrowing battle, Alex shares a heartfelt kiss with Karly, which offers a brief moment of peace amid the chaos. Their victory feels bittersweet and uncertain.

    Where
    City

  14. New Threat Emerges

    As the credits roll, Major Braxton Tanner contacts Alex with ominous news of impending doom. The scene cuts to a jolting image of a massive cockroach scaling the Statue of Liberty, hinting at new monstrous challenges ahead.

    Where
    Statue of Liberty

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 13:52

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Timeline questions answered

Big Ass Spider! Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Big Ass Spider! (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Alex get bitten by the giant spider?

Alex gets bitten while attempting to help an elderly woman with a rodent problem at her home. He goes there to handle what he believes is a standard extermination job, but encounters the venomous giant spider instead. The bite marks the turning point that propels him into the center of the spider crisis.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Alex as a struggling exterminator who takes on jobs others avoid, setting up his exposure to the creature.

  • alex mathis
  • spider bite
  • bitten
  • elderly woman
  • exterminator
Q2

How did the spider become so big?

The spider was exposed to alien DNA during scientific experimentation focused on growth-enhancing qualities. This genetic alteration caused it to grow to massive proportions and become extremely dangerous.

  • alien dna
  • giant spider
  • experiment
  • growth
  • science
Q3

What is the giant spider's weakness?

Alex discovers that the spider's spinneret, the organ used to produce silk, is its Achilles' heel. This vulnerable spot becomes the key to defeating the creature when José uses a rocket launcher to target it precisely.

  • spider weakness
  • spinneret
  • rocket launcher
  • alex
  • defeat
Q4

Why is the military involved in the spider hunt?

The military arrives to investigate a mysterious corpse that is linked to the giant spider. Major Braxton Tanner and Lieutenant Karly Brant lead a U.S. military task force searching for answers about the spider's origin.

  • military
  • major braxton tanner
  • lieutenant karly brant
  • corpse
  • investigation
Q5

Why does Lieutenant Karly keep information from Alex?

Karly remains tight-lipped about the military's true mission throughout the film. She conceals critical information about the spider's origins and the military's objectives, creating tension between her and Alex as they work together.

  • karly brant
  • secretive
  • mission
  • military
  • alex
Q6

What happens when the spider starts multiplying?

The spider begins multiplying and hatching baby spiders, which then begin assaulting civilians. This escalates the threat from a single giant creature to a potential plague scenario, forcing the team to rescue hostages trapped in the spider's nest.

Foreshadowing: Alex learns about the spider's alien DNA origins just as it begins to multiply, making the revelation timely.

  • baby spiders
  • multiplying
  • nest
  • plague
  • offspring
Q7

Where does the giant spider make its lair?

The colossal spider claims the iconic U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles as its lair. This becomes the location of the final confrontation where Alex, José, and the military team infiltrate the nest.

  • u.s. bank tower
  • lair
  • nest
  • los angeles
  • final battle
Q8

How do they defeat the giant spider?

After Alex identifies the spider's weak spinneret, José grabs a rocket launcher from a military unit. Under Alex's guidance, José aims at the vulnerable spot and successfully slays the monstrous arachnid in the final showdown.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of the spinneret weakness moments before the final battle sets up this tactical advantage.

  • rocket launcher
  • defeat
  • spinneret
  • jose
  • final showdown
Q9

What does the post-credits scene mean?

After Alex and Karly share a kiss and the main threat is defeated, Major Braxton calls Alex with ominous news. The screen cuts to a massive cockroach climbing the Statue of Liberty, hinting at a new monstrous threat and setting up a potential sequel.

  • post-credits
  • cockroach
  • statue of liberty
  • sequel
  • ending
Q10

Does Alex end up with Lieutenant Karly?

Yes, after defeating the spider, Alex shares a heartfelt kiss with Karly in the aftermath of the battle. This moment provides a brief romantic respite amid the debris and chaos, solidifying their connection developed throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: Tensions rise earlier when Alex is drawn to Karly despite her secretive behavior about the mission.

  • alex
  • karly brant
  • kiss
  • romance
  • relationship

Movie threads

More Movies Like Big Ass Spider!, by Mood & Story

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

Giant Monster Movies Like Big Ass Spider!

Humorous and destructive adventures where giant creatures wreak havoc. If you enjoyed the chaotic fun of Big Ass Spider!, you'll love these movies featuring giant creatures causing mayhem. This collection highlights films that mix large-scale destruction with lighthearted humor and fast-paced action, perfect for fans of B-movie monster spectacles.

  • destructive
  • action-packed
  • humorous
  • frantic
  • suspenseful
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: light, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a straightforward path: a creature emerges, grows to immense size, and begins a destructive rampage. An unlikely group of heroes, often including everyday people or quirky experts, must devise a plan to stop it, leading to a climactic, city-altering showdown.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared core premise of a giant monster threat handled with a light tone. They deliver a specific mix of high-intensity action sequences, visual spectacle of destruction, and character-driven humor that makes the danger feel thrilling rather than terrifying.

Godzilla vs. Megalon movie poster

Godzilla vs. Megalon

1973
Big Trouble movie poster

Big Trouble

1986
Big Ass Spider! movie poster

Big Ass Spider!

2013
The Amazing Bulk movie poster

The Amazing Bulk

2012
Konga TNT movie poster

Konga TNT

2020
The Monster Squad movie poster

The Monster Squad

1987
Lazer Team movie poster

Lazer Team

2016
Armour of God movie poster

Armour of God

1986

Movies with Quirky Heroes Like Big Ass Spider!

Eccentric experts join forces with unlikely partners to face a bizarre crisis. Fans of the charismatic exterminator in Big Ass Spider! will enjoy these films featuring eccentric experts teaming up against strange threats. Discover movies where unlikely heroes, with their unique skills and personalities, are the key to solving an outrageous problem.

  • humorous
  • quirky
  • unlikely duo
  • action-packed
  • lighthearted
  • cooperative
  • Tone: light, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around a bizarre problem that conventional methods can't solve, requiring a specific but oddball expert. The journey is as much about the character dynamics and clashing worldviews between the expert and their straight-laced partners as it is about overcoming the external threat, with humor derived from their interactions.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific character dynamic: a charmingly odd protagonist forced into a high-stakes collaboration. The appeal lies in the friction and eventual camaraderie between the quirky lead and their more conventional allies, all while dealing with a threat that is as absurd as it is dangerous.

The Experts movie poster

The Experts

1989
Odd Squad: The Movie movie poster

Odd Squad: The Movie

2016
Lazer Team movie poster

Lazer Team

2016
The Adventures of a Rookie movie poster

The Adventures of a Rookie

1943
Get Smart’s Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control movie poster

Get Smart’s Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control

2008
Suburban Commando movie poster

Suburban Commando

1991
Almost Heroes movie poster

Almost Heroes

1998
Agent X44 movie poster

Agent X44

2007

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Every angle

Big Ass Spider! (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Big Ass Spider! 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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