Breaking and Entering (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Will begins visiting Amira under the pretense of needing a suit mended after discovering her home through following Miro. However, the affair stems from his emotional disconnection from Liv and his attraction to Amira's vulnerability as a Bosnian refugee. He finds a sense of purpose and genuine connection that his troubled relationship with Liv lacks, though this ultimately creates more complications in his life.

Foreshadowing: Will finds unexpected comfort during his nightly stakeouts, suggesting he was already seeking escape from his domestic problems before meeting Amira.

• will francis
• amira
• affair
• liv
• emotional disconnection
• bosnian refugee

Miro refuses to testify against his gang because doing so would mean betraying the criminal network that provides for him and his mother Amira. As a 15-year-old tracer supporting his family through theft, Miro feels a sense of loyalty and fear toward the gang. Additionally, testifying would expose his own criminal activities and potentially put his mother in danger, making his refusal a protective choice for his family.

• miro
• testify
• gang
• theft
• police
• loyalty

Bea suffers a serious injury at Will's construction site when an accident occurs. The incident prompts police involvement in Miro's case and creates a turning point in the story. The accident forces Will to confront the consequences of his negligence, both in his relationship with Liv and Bea, and in his professional responsibilities. It serves as a catalyst for his eventual moral reckoning and decision to tell Liv the truth.

• bea
• construction site
• accident
• injury
• police involvement

After Will confesses his affair, Liv surprisingly encourages him to assist Amira. This reaction reflects Liv's own growth and moral character, she recognizes that Amira is a vulnerable refugee mother whose son faces serious criminal charges. Liv's encouragement suggests she understands the complexity of human relationships and wants Will to make the right choice morally, even after being hurt by his infidelity. Her compassion extends beyond her own pain to consider others in difficult situations.

• liv
• amira
• affair
• forgiveness
• compassion
• moral choice

Will testifies that Miro is not the real criminal because he has developed a relationship with Amira and wants to protect her and her son. More importantly, Will realizes that his own moral choices have already caused enough damage to multiple people. By telling the truth at the trial, Will attempts to rectify both his personal betrayals and the broader injustice of punishing a teenage thief while the actual criminals go free. This decision represents his final moral reckoning after months of evasion and personal failure.

Foreshadowing: Will's earlier choice to visit Amira instead of reporting the thefts set him on a path where he gained knowledge that could exonerate Miro.

• will
• miro
• trial
• testimony
• criminal
• court

Amira returns the stolen items after Miro confronts her about Will's visits to their home. Miro, aware that Will has been coming around, suspects something is wrong and confronts his mother about the thefts. Amira returns the items to Will while harboring suspicions about his motives, attempting to maintain some moral integrity while also protecting her son from the consequences of their criminal activities. This act also signals her growing unease about the complicated situation.

Foreshadowing: Miro's confrontation with Amira about Will's visits foreshadows her decision to return the stolen items.

• amira
• stolen items
• miro
• return
• theft

Miro and Amira decide to return to Bosnia for a fresh start after the trial resolves their legal troubles. With Miro released due to Will's testimony and their criminal past no longer threatening them, they choose to leave London and return to their home country. This ending represents their opportunity to escape the poverty and criminal lifestyle that defined their time in London, offering Miro a chance at a normal life away from gangs and theft.

• miro
• amira
• bosnia
• return
• fresh start
• london

During his nightly stakeouts at the office, Will discovers a sense of escape from his troubled home life with Liv and Bea. While initially hoping to catch the burglars, he instead finds comfort in the routine and purpose that the stakeouts provide. More significantly, he forms an unexpected connection with Oana, an Eastern European prostitute, which provides him emotional solace. The stakeouts become his refuge from the growing tension in his primary relationship.

Foreshadowing: The stakeouts initially seem professional but quickly become a form of personal escape for Will.

• will
• stakeouts
• oana
• prostitute
• escape
• comfort

Miro is described as a tracer, which is slang for a skilled thief who uses acrobatic abilities to break into buildings, particularly by climbing or bypassing security systems. At only 15 years old, Miro possesses remarkable talent for infiltration, using his agility to disable alarm systems and enter buildings undetected. This skill makes him valuable to the criminal gang and explains how he repeatedly broke into Will's office.

• miro
• tracer
• thief
• acrobat
• alarm system
• break-in

Bea's behavioral issues create significant strain on Will and Liv's relationship because they represent an ongoing challenge neither can fully resolve. At 13 years old, Bea exhibits irregular sleeping and eating habits and prefers gymnastics to social interaction, making her difficult to manage. Will and Liv's inability to address Bea's problems despite years of effort contributes to their emotional distance. The stress of parenting a child with behavioral challenges is one of the core issues driving Will toward his affair.

Foreshadowing: The couple's decision to seek relationship counseling directly stems from the pressure of raising Bea.

• bea
• behavioral issues
• tension
• liv
• parenting
• stress