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Timeline

Black Friday (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 80 min · English
Echo score 53
JustWatch #4,659 71
Directed by
Casey Tebo
Starring
Leah Procito, Bruce Campbell, Michael Jai White, Ivana Baquero, Lonnie Farmer, Ryan Lee

On Thanksgiving night, a group of toy store employees prepares for the annual Black Friday rush. However, their shift takes a terrifying turn when an alien force arrives, turning shoppers into violent, possessed creatures. Led by Jonathan and Ken, the employees must band together to fight off the monstrous horde and survive the chaos unfolding on the busiest shopping day of the year.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Black Friday
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Black Friday (2021)

Where can you watch Black Friday? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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16 events in order · contains spoilers

Black Friday Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Black Friday (2021) 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. Monty's Transformation Begins

    While preparing for the Black Friday sale at All-Mart, employee Monty is infected by a parasitic organism. This initial infection sets off a chain of horrifying events, plunging him into a grim transformation into a monster.

    When
    Black Friday Eve
    Where
    All-Mart
  2. The Attack on Co-Workers

    After Monty's transformation, he becomes aggressive and viciously attacks two of his co-workers. This act of violence signals the emergence of chaos within the store as the parasite begins to spread.

    Where
    All-Mart
  3. Ken's Responsibilities

    Burdened with working on Thanksgiving, Ken Bates drops off his daughters at their mother's house for dinner. After that, he picks up his co-worker Chris, and they make their way to their late shift at We Love Toys.

    When
    Thanksgiving
    Where
    Ken's Ex-Wife's House
  4. Preparing for the Sale

    As anxious shoppers line up outside, Ken, Chris, and their fellow employees prepare for the anticipated rush at We Love Toys. Tensions rise as Bircher accidentally locks himself out during a smoke break.

    When
    Night of Thanksgiving
    Where
    We Love Toys
  5. Bircher's Terrifying Fate

    Outside the store, a frenzied shopper infected by the parasite turns on Bircher. He is transformed into a creature just as the store manager instructs the team to open the doors, leading to rising chaos.

    Where
    Outside We Love Toys
  6. Infection Spreads Among Shoppers

    As the doors open for the eager shoppers, the parasitic infection quickly spreads, transforming patrons into aggressive predators. Panic ensues within the store, as employees and shoppers try to escape the terror.

    Where
    We Love Toys
  7. Emmett's Infection

    Emmett, one of the employees, becomes infected, violently spewing a tentacle that tragically kills Anita. Amidst the chaos, he becomes a creature, heading towards the Santa's Village display as chaos escalates.

    Where
    We Love Toys
  8. Ruth Takes Refuge

    As the situation worsens, Ruth seeks safety in the office while Archie strategizes with Chris and Brian on how to guide the group to escape through hordes of mutants. Their survival hinges on avoiding the growing threat.

    Where
    Office, We Love Toys
  9. Chaos in the Restroom

    Ken and Jonathan confront a creature in the restroom, highlighting the pervasive threat of the infected within the store. The battle escalates as more mutants flood in, forcing them to rethink their strategy.

    Where
    Restroom, We Love Toys
  10. The Discovery in Santa's Village

    Marnie sneaks into Santa's Village and uncovers a disturbing fact: the mutated shoppers are being absorbed into a mass. This revelation adds urgency to their escaped plans as they face the grotesque evolution of the creatures.

    Where
    Santa's Village, We Love Toys
  11. Tragic Loss

    A possessed officer crashes a police car through the store's window, tragically running over Ruth. This shocking event adds to the mounting horrors, as the group realizes their dire situation.

    Where
    We Love Toys
  12. A Moment of Bonding

    The group shares a moment while eating sliced turkey, exchanging personal stories that reveal their vulnerabilities. However, tensions rise as conflicts break out over unfulfilled dreams and romantic frustrations.

    Where
    Storeroom, We Love Toys
  13. Ken's Decision

    After a mutant attacks the group, Ken is bitten and fears he is infected. He heroically decides to stay behind, allowing Chris, Marnie, Jonathan, and Brian to search for an escape route, showcasing his selflessness.

    Where
    Storeroom, We Love Toys
  14. The Building Ignites

    While attempting to escape in a truck, the team is attacked again, forcing them to flee to the roof. Disaster strikes as the store ignites, and the parasite's mass grows dangerously larger.

    Where
    Roof, We Love Toys
  15. Final Confrontation

    In an ultimate sacrifice, Jonathan offers himself to the horde, allowing the others to escape. As chaos unfolds, Brian reveals he inadvertently bit Ken, surprising everyone with the news that Ken might not be infected.

    Where
    We Love Toys
  16. The Great Escape

    Ken, Chris, and Marnie narrowly escape in Ken's car, but they are met with a chilling sight. More monstrous figures emerge from other stores, hinting that the nightmare they thought was over may be far from it.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:18

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Timeline questions answered

Black Friday Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Black Friday (2021): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Ken have to work on Thanksgiving?

Ken is forced to work the Black Friday shift at We Love Toys because he has custody responsibilities and needs the income. He drops off his daughters, Lyla and Gracie, at their mother's house for Thanksgiving dinner, showing his difficult situation as a working father who can't spend the holiday with his kids.

Foreshadowing: This sacrifice sets up Ken's emotional arc and his desire to protect others throughout the night.

  • ken bates
  • thanksgiving shift
  • work
  • father
  • custody
Q2

What is the parasite that turns people into monsters?

The parasite is an alien organism that infects humans and transforms them into violent, predatory creatures. It spreads through bites and physical contact, causing rapid physical mutations. The infected victims are eventually absorbed into a growing mass controlled by the parasite.

Foreshadowing: The first infection occurs when Monty encounters the parasite while prepping the All-Mart store.

  • parasite
  • alien
  • infection
  • monsters
  • transformation
Q3

What is the mass in Santa's Village?

The mass is a central growth formed by the absorbed bodies of all the infected shoppers. Marnie discovers that the mutated creatures are being pulled into this living sac, which continues to expand and eventually becomes the colossal monster that consumes the entire store.

Foreshadowing: Emmett heads toward Santa's Village after becoming infected, indicating the mass is drawing the creatures together.

  • santa's village
  • mass
  • absorbed
  • creatures
  • mutation
Q4

Is Ken actually infected after being bitten?

Ken is not infected. During the chaos, Brian reveals he accidentally bit Ken in an earlier skirmish, which is why Ken showed symptoms of infection. The bite came from Brian, not a monster, so Ken remains human and can continue fighting.

Foreshadowing: This twist explains why Ken doesn't transform despite being bitten, subverting audience expectations.

  • ken
  • bitten
  • infection
  • brian
  • twist
Q5

Why does Jonathan sacrifice himself at the end?

Jonathan sacrifices himself to buy time for the others to escape. With the store engulfed in flames and the monster blocking their path, he draws the horde's attention by offering himself, allowing Chris, Marnie, and Brian to reach the exit.

Foreshadowing: Jonathan's leadership throughout the night and his willingness to protect his employees foreshadow his heroic end.

  • jonathan
  • wexler
  • sacrifice
  • escape
  • heroic death
Q6

How does the police car crash through the store window?

A possessed police officer drives the cruiser at high speed, crashing directly through the storefront window. This violent entry kills Ruth when the car runs over her, demonstrating how the infection has even corrupted law enforcement.

Foreshadowing: The parasites have been shown to infect anyone, including authorities, making the situation completely lawless.

  • police car
  • ruth
  • crash
  • window
  • possessed officer
Q7

What do the monsters emerging from other stores mean?

The ending reveals that the infection has spread beyond We Love Toys. The monsters appearing in the distance from other stores indicate the parasite has infected multiple locations across the city, meaning the characters' survival is only the beginning of a larger outbreak.

Foreshadowing: The parasitic infection was shown spreading rapidly among shoppers inside the store, logically extending to other retail locations.

  • ending
  • monsters
  • other stores
  • outbreak
  • sequel setup
Q8

Why does Bircher get infected outside the store?

Bircher locks himself outside during a smoke break, making him vulnerable. A frenzied infected shopper attacks him outside, transmitting the parasite. By the time the doors open, Bircher has already transformed, contributing to the initial wave of chaos.

Foreshadowing: Bircher's absence during preparations and his habit of stepping out for breaks sets up his vulnerable position.

  • bircher
  • infected
  • outside
  • smoke break
Q9

Why do Ken and Chris argue in the storeroom?

Ken and Chris clash over their unsatisfying lives and frustration with their dead-end jobs. The stress of the night amplifies their pre-existing tensions about working holidays while others celebrate with family. Marnie also confronts Ken about their lack of a real romantic relationship.

Foreshadowing: This conflict humanizes the characters and shows how the crisis forces them to confront personal disappointments.

  • ken
  • chris
  • argument
  • storeroom
  • tension
Q10

How does Emmett kill Anita?

After becoming infected, Emmett violently spews a tentacle from his body that strikes and kills Anita. This sudden, graphic death demonstrates how the parasite transforms infected people into weapons capable of harming others, even those trying to help them.

Foreshadowing: The rapid progression from infection to violent aggression shows how quickly the parasite takes control.

  • emmitt
  • anita
  • death
  • tentacle
  • infection

Movie threads

More Movies Like Black Friday, by Mood & Story

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

Claustrophobic siege horror movies like Black Friday

Trapped survivors fighting off a relentless horde in a confined location. If you liked the high-stakes survival of Black Friday, you'll enjoy these movies about groups trapped and fighting for their lives. Discover similar films featuring desperate last stands in confined spaces against monstrous or human threats, fostering a tense and frantic atmosphere.

  • claustrophobic
  • tense
  • desperate
  • frantic
  • anxious
  • gruesome
  • Tone: tense, desperate
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin with a normal situation that is violently disrupted, forcing characters to barricade themselves in a familiar location. The narrative is driven by the rising body count, dwindling resources, and the psychological strain of being trapped, culminating in a final, desperate attempt to escape or defeat the threat.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared core experience: the intense, confined setting and the relentless pressure of a siege scenario. They create a specific kind of anxiety and camaraderie, focusing on survival against impossible odds in a limited space.

Horror comedy movies with a similar tone to Black Friday

Gory horror balanced with sharp wit and situational comedy. Fans of Black Friday's mix of gruesome horror and workplace comedy will find more to love here. Explore movies that deliver both genuine scares and laughs, often through satirical takes on everyday situations invaded by the supernatural or monstrous.

  • gruesome
  • witty
  • chaotic
  • satirical
  • tense
  • frantic
  • Tone: tense, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern often involves ordinary people in a mundane setting facing an extraordinary, horrific event. The comedy stems from their relatable, sarcastic, or inept reactions to the chaos, providing levity that contrasts with the gruesome events, creating a unique tonal balance.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their distinctive tonal blend. They share a commitment to delivering effective horror while using comedy to heighten the relatability of characters and provide a release valve for the tension, creating a highly entertaining and specific vibe.

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Movies Like Black Friday

Similar movies to Black Friday: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Black Friday (2021) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Black Friday 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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