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Timeline

Bombshell (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 109 min · English
Echo score 62
JustWatch #1,087 63
Directed by
Jay Roach
Starring
Charlize Theron, Connie Britton, John Lithgow, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Alanna Ubach
Budget
$32M

Three female journalists at a major American television network grapple with the complexities of ambition, integrity, and power dynamics. As they uncover a shocking scandal involving the network’s powerful CEO, they must confront difficult choices and navigate a cutthroat environment where their own achievements are threatened by the very system they once upheld. The story explores the challenges faced by women in media and the consequences of speaking truth to power.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Bombshell
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Bombshell (2019)

Where can you watch Bombshell? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Bombshell Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Bombshell (2019) 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. Roger Ailes' Control

    In 2016, Roger Ailes held the powerful position of chairman at Fox News, exercising tight control over the network's operations. His influence has been significant since the Nixon era, making him a formidable figure in shaping Republican presidential elections.

    When
    2016
    Where
    Fox News Headquarters
  2. Megyn Kelly's Challenge

    Megyn Kelly, a prominent figure at Fox News, prepared to moderate a Republican presidential debate. Despite facing pushback from her colleagues, she decided to confront Donald Trump regarding his derogatory comments about women.

    When
    Debate Day
    Where
    Fox News
  3. Trump's Harassment

    After the debate, Trump’s tweets sparked a wave of harassment directed at Megyn Kelly, transforming her into a central figure of media controversy. This left her feeling distressed as she realized she had become the focus of the narrative rather than just a reporter.

    When
    Post-Debate
    Where
    Social Media
  4. Increased Harassment

    Megyn experienced further harassment, including intrusive paparazzi targeting her family. Despite the network providing her with a security team, they remained reluctant to take a firm stance against Trump.

    When
    Following Debate
    Where
    Fox News
  5. Gretchen Carlson's Demotion

    Gretchen Carlson faced significant challenges when she was replaced on her show and demoted to a less prominent afternoon slot. Frustrated by relentless sexist remarks, she resolved to take action against Roger Ailes.

    When
    Time of Demotion
    Where
    Fox News
  6. Legal Battle Begins

    Gretchen, with her legal team, discovered the dismissal of Rudi Bakhtiar, who was punished for rejecting sexual advances. They urged Gretchen to consider a legal battle against Roger Ailes, prompting her to seek support from other women at Fox.

    When
    Before Filing Lawsuit
    Where
    Fox News
  7. Kayla Pospisil's Promotion

    Kayla Pospisil began her career idolizing Fox News and soon received a promotion to join Bill O'Reilly's flagship program. However, the challenges she faced in her new role included belittling and ongoing sexism from O'Reilly.

    When
    Following Promotion
    Where
    Fox News
  8. Kayla's Uncomfortable Encounter

    Kayla was invited to Roger Ailes's office under the pretense of a promotion, only to face unsettling advances from him. The experience left her feeling violated and isolated as she confided in her colleague Jess.

    When
    After Promotion
    Where
    Roger Ailes' Office
  9. Gretchen Speaks Out

    As tensions rose, Gretchen began discussing gun violence in her segments, drawing Roger's ire. This shift marked a significant turning point as the three women eventually crossed paths in an elevator, leading to collective action.

    When
    During Broadcast
    Where
    Fox News Studio
  10. Filing the Lawsuit

    After being terminated, Gretchen courageously filed a lawsuit against Roger Ailes. This act set off a chain reaction within Fox News, igniting discussions about the toxic culture and increasing pressure on female employees.

    When
    After Termination
    Where
    Fox News
  11. Pressure from Fox

    In response to mounting pressure from Fox, female employees were coerced into publicly supporting Roger. Amidst this turmoil, Megyn confided in her team about her own experiences of harassment, revealing a growing solidarity.

    When
    During Pressure Campaign
    Where
    Fox News
  12. Megyn's Outreach

    Determined to bring more women forward, Megyn began reaching out to others with similar experiences of harassment. This initiative united her with Kayla, strengthening their resolve against the toxic environment at Fox.

    When
    During Investigation
    Where
    Fox News
  13. Unveiling the Truth

    As investigations into harassment unfolded, multiple women came forward with testimonies against Roger. This collective effort became critical in undermining his reputation and authority at Fox News.

    When
    During Investigation
    Where
    Fox News
  14. Roger's Departure

    Roger Ailes was confronted with the mounting evidence against him as Susan Estrich revealed that Gretchen's recordings contained undeniable proof. This led to discussions about the terms of his departure amidst shifting power dynamics at Fox.

    When
    Before Departure
    Where
    Fox News
  15. Kayla's Transformation

    As Kayla prepared to leave Fox, she decided to reclaim her narrative, rejecting the harassment she experienced. Leaving her badge behind while Jess watched, Kayla symbolized a new beginning, armed with the strength of her shared experiences with other women.

    When
    After Roger's Departure
    Where
    Fox News Exit

Last updated: November 04, 2024 at 00:24

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Timeline questions answered

Bombshell Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Bombshell (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Megyn Kelly decide to confront Donald Trump about his comments about women?

Megyn Kelly chose to confront Trump because she believed it was her journalistic responsibility to ask him directly about his derogatory remarks towards women during the Republican presidential debate. Despite pushback from colleagues who warned it could harm her career, she felt it was important to address the issue publicly rather than ignore it.

  • megyn kelly
  • trump debate
  • confrontation
  • republican debate
  • fox news
Q2

Why did Roger Ailes suspect Megyn Kelly was poisoned after the debate?

Roger Ailes became paranoid about the debate's fallout and theorized that Megyn Kelly was deliberately poisoned because she vomited on debate day. This suspicion reflected Roger's tendency to view events through a lens of conspiracy and his protective instinct toward the network's interests.

  • roger ailes
  • megyn kelly
  • poison
  • debate
  • conspiracy
Q3

What prompted Gretchen Carlson to file a lawsuit against Roger Ailes?

Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit after being demoted to a less prominent time slot and enduring relentless sexist remarks from Roger. When her legal team discovered that Rudi Bakhtiar had been dismissed for refusing sexual advances, she decided to take legal action against Ailes directly, understanding she would need substantial evidence and support from other women.

  • gretchen carlson
  • lawsuit
  • roger ailes
  • demotion
  • sexual harassment
Q4

What happened when Kayla Pospisil met with Roger Ailes expecting a promotion?

Kayla Pospisil was invited to Roger Ailes's office expecting a promotion but was instead met with sexual advances. Roger asked her to display her legs and made further inappropriate requests. Feeling violated and confused, she complied to some degree and left the encounter feeling deeply uncomfortable and used.

  • kayla pospisil
  • roger ailes
  • sexual advances
  • promotion
  • violated
Q5

Why did Megyn Kelly initially stay silent about her own harassment?

Megyn Kelly initially remained silent about her own harassment because she was under intense pressure from Roger Ailes and the Fox legal team. They argued that the network's Trump-supporting audience necessitated a truce with Trump, and Megyn was pressured to make an on-air statement reconciling her relationship with him.

  • megyn kelly
  • silence
  • harassment
  • pressure
  • fox news
Q6

How did the three women end up connecting against Roger Ailes?

The three women, Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and Kayla Pospisil, found themselves in the same elevator, a symbolic moment that marked a turning point. This convergence set in motion their collective action against the toxic culture at Fox News, eventually leading them to unite their voices against Roger.

  • megyn kelly
  • gretchen carlson
  • kayla pospisil
  • elevator
  • union
Q7

What evidence led to Roger Ailes' downfall?

Multiple women came forward with testimonies of harassment, but the critical blow came when Susan Estrich revealed to Roger that Gretchen Carlson's recordings contained undeniable proof against him. This evidence, combined with the growing number of women speaking out, forced Fox News leadership to remove him.

  • roger ailes
  • evidence
  • ouster
  • testimony
  • gretchen carlson
  • recordings
Q8

Why was Kayla Pospisil confused about her sexuality after her encounter with Jess?

After sharing a night with Jess Carr, Kayla Pospisil maintained she was not a lesbian while simultaneously experiencing personal confusion about her feelings. This conflict reflected her struggle to reconcile her conservative upbringing and professional ambitions with her emotional experiences.

  • kayla pospisil
  • jess carr
  • sexuality
  • confusion
  • fox news
Q9

Why did Gretchen Carlson's settlement come with a non-disclosure agreement?

Gretchen Carlson received a twenty-million-dollar settlement and an apology from the network, but the terms included a non-disclosure agreement. When asked about her next steps, she responded with 'maybe,' symbolizing her conflicted feelings about fighting within the constraints imposed by the agreement.

  • gretchen carlson
  • settlement
  • nda
  • non-disclosure agreement
  • twenty million
Q10

Why does the ending of Bombshell feel bittersweet?

The ending feels bittersweet because while Roger Ailes was ousted and Gretchen won a significant settlement, the victory came at a personal cost. The women were bound by non-disclosure agreements, and they experienced lasting trauma from their experiences. Their triumph is qualified, representing justice achieved but not without significant compromise.

  • bittersweet ending
  • settlement
  • justice
  • ndas
  • trauma
  • ouster
Q11

Why did Fox News force female employees to publicly support Roger Ailes?

Under mounting pressure following Gretchen Carlson's lawsuit, Fox News demanded that its female employees publicly endorse Roger Ailes. This was an attempt to control the narrative and protect the network's leadership by creating a facade of support, though many women felt coerced rather than genuinely supportive.

  • fox news
  • support roger ailes
  • coercion
  • lawsuit
  • pressure

Movie threads

More Movies Like Bombshell, by Mood & Story

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

Corporate Whistleblower Dramas like Bombshell

True stories of individuals risking everything to expose systemic corruption. If you were captivated by Bombshell's tense portrayal of exposing systemic wrongdoing, explore more movies like it. This collection features true stories and dramatizations of individuals confronting powerful institutions, offering similar themes of moral courage, high-stakes risk, and the complex fallout of truth-telling.

  • tense
  • dramatic
  • courageous
  • investigative
  • unsettling
  • serious
  • Tone: tense, serious, dramatic
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a protagonist or group who uncovers a deep-seated injustice or crime within a powerful organization. The plot revolves around their internal conflict, the gathering of evidence, and the escalating tension as they decide to become whistleblowers, facing retaliation and moral dilemmas along the way.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a focus on real-world ethical crises, a tense and often anxious tone, and a narrative structure built on investigation and confrontation. They explore the grey areas of ambition, integrity, and the personal sacrifices required for institutional change.

Movies with Bittersweet Triumphs like Bombshell

Stories where victory is hard-won but comes with a significant cost. For viewers who appreciated Bombshell's nuanced ending—where justice is achieved but personal costs remain—this group highlights similar stories. Find movies like Bombshell where characters fight powerful forces and earn a victory that feels real, raw, and emotionally complex, rather than a simple happy ending.

  • bittersweet
  • heavy
  • empowering
  • dramatic
  • resigned
  • courageous
  • Tone: bittersweet, heavy, empowering
  • Pacing: steady, emotionally driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The emotional journey in these films moves from oppression and injustice towards a hard-fought confrontation. The climax results in a tangible change or victory, but the resolution acknowledges the trauma endured and the compromises made, resulting in an ending that feels both empowering and sobering.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared emotional arc and conclusion. They deliver a heavy emotional weight and explore serious themes, culminating in an ending that balances a sense of accomplishment with the lingering pain of the struggle, creating a powerfully resonant and realistic feeling.

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Every angle

Bombshell (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Bombshell 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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