Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Brooklyn (2015) movie poster

Timeline

Brooklyn (2015) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 111 min · English
Directed by
John Crowley
Starring
Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Saoirse Ronan

In 1950s Brooklyn, young Eilis Lacey leaves her small Irish hometown for a new life in New York City. Adapting to her new surroundings, she finds work and unexpectedly falls in love. However, a sudden family crisis compels her to return home, where she is confronted with difficult choices and conflicting loyalties that challenge her budding romance and sense of belonging, forcing her to navigate a path between two vastly different cultures.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Brooklyn
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Brooklyn (2015)

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

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

15 events in order · contains spoilers

Brooklyn Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Brooklyn (2015) 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. Eilis's Life in Enniscorthy

    In 1951, Eilis Lacey is introduced as a young woman living in the quaint town of Enniscorthy, Ireland. Struggling under the judgmental eye of her employer Miss Kelly, she finds her life limited by the small town's expectations.

    When
    1951
    Where
    Enniscorthy, Ireland
  2. Rose's Plan for Eilis

    Eilis resides with her sister Rose and their mother Mary, who is concerned about their future. Rose takes it upon herself to arrange a new life for Eilis in the United States with the help of Father Flood, a supportive clergyman.

    Where
    Enniscorthy, Ireland
  3. Eilis's Departure to America

    Although Miss Kelly chastises Eilis for leaving, she embarks on her journey to America with hopeful anticipation. Leaving behind her mother and sister, Eilis hopes for a better life and to relieve her family's burdens.

    Where
    Enniscorthy, Ireland
  4. Challenges on the Voyage

    The journey across the Atlantic is fraught with challenges as Eilis battles severe seasickness and food poisoning. In a particularly desperate moment, she is locked out of the shared bathroom and resorts to using a bucket.

    Where
    Atlantic Ocean
  5. Arrival in Brooklyn

    Eilis arrives in Brooklyn, where she settles into an Irish boarding house. There, she shares meals with Mrs. Kehoe and interacts with other young women, adjusting to her new surroundings while dealing with feelings of homesickness.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  6. Job at Bartoccis

    Eilis quickly finds work at Bartoccis, a department store. Her initial shyness leads to some reprimands from her supervisor Miss Fortini, as she struggles to acclimate to her new job and surroundings.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  7. Support from Father Flood

    Recognizing Eilis's struggles, Miss Fortini contacts Father Flood to help her. He enrolls her in bookkeeping classes and organizes a Christmas meal for homeless Irish men, connecting Eilis to her cultural roots.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  8. Eilis's Independence Grows

    Mrs. Kehoe acknowledges Eilis's growing confidence and offers her a room with a personal entrance. This newfound independence allows Eilis to flourish socially and academically as she becomes more adapted to her life in America.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  9. Meeting Tony

    At a dance, Eilis meets Tony, who is captivated by her charm. Despite their different backgrounds, their relationship blossoms, helping Eilis to further grow and embrace her new life.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  10. Love and Hesitation

    As their relationship deepens, Tony confesses his love for Eilis. Initially hesitant, she eventually reciprocates, realizing the depth of her feelings after reflecting on their many wonderful experiences together.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  11. Tragic News from Home

    Eilis receives heartbreaking news of her sister Rose's death from Father Flood. This devastating loss compels her to return to Ireland, leading her to a difficult decision between her old life and her love for Tony.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York
  12. Return to Ireland

    Back in Ireland, Eilis is faced with the pressures of her old life, including family responsibilities and romantic expectations. She becomes conflicted as she recalls the warmth and comfort of home, distancing herself from Tony.

    Where
    Enniscorthy, Ireland
  13. Revelation and Decision

    When confronted by Miss Kelly regarding her marriage, Eilis realizes she cannot escape the small-town mentality that once confined her. After disclosing her secret marriage to her mother, she resolves to return to Brooklyn.

    Where
    Enniscorthy, Ireland
  14. New Journey Back

    On the ship to Brooklyn, Eilis takes the opportunity to help a newcomer, demonstrating her growth and the knowledge she has gained from her own experiences. This marks a new chapter in her journey of self-discovery.

    Where
    Atlantic Ocean
  15. Reunion with Tony

    The film culminates with a heartfelt reunion between Eilis and Tony. Their joyful embrace symbolizes the triumph of love and resilience, as they both navigate their separate journeys back to one another.

    Where
    Brooklyn, New York

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:51

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Brooklyn Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Brooklyn (2015): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Rose send Eilis to America?

Rose arranged for Eilis to travel to America because she believed Eilis had limited prospects in Enniscorthy. Rose wanted to give her younger sister a chance at a better life and escape the restrictive small-town environment where Miss Kelly constantly judged her. Rose took responsibility for this plan, working with Father Flood in New York to make it happen.

  • Rose
  • Eilis
  • America
  • opportunity
  • escape
Q2

Why did Miss Kelly criticize Eilis for leaving?

Miss Kelly criticized Eilis for leaving because she believed Eilis was being selfish by abandoning her mother and sister. Miss Kelly argued that Eilis's departure would leave Rose responsible for caring for their mother indefinitely, seeing Eilis's opportunity as a burden on the family rather than an individual advancement.

  • Miss Kelly
  • Eilis
  • criticism
  • family duty
Q3

Why did Father Flood help Eilis in Brooklyn?

Father Flood helped Eilis because he was a clergyman who had originally facilitated her move to America through his connections. When Miss Fortini reached out to him about Eilis's struggles with homesickness and adaptation, he took responsibility for her wellbeing by enrolling her in bookkeeping classes and organizing community events to help her feel connected to her Irish roots.

  • Father Flood
  • Eilis
  • help
  • bookkeeping classes
Q4

Why did Tony insist on a secret marriage?

Tony insisted on marrying Eilis in secret before she returned to Ireland because he feared losing her. He knew she was torn between her life in Brooklyn and her family obligations at home, and he wanted to ensure she would return to him. The secret marriage was his way of securing their bond while respecting that she needed time to deal with her sister's death and family matters.

  • Tony
  • secret marriage
  • Eilis
  • fear of loss
Q5

Why did Eilis return to Ireland after Rose died?

Eilis returned to Ireland because she received devastating news that her sister Rose had died unexpectedly. This sudden family crisis compelled her to go home to support her mother and deal with the loss. However, this return also forced her to confront the difficult choice between her old life in Ireland and her new life with Tony in Brooklyn.

  • Rose death
  • Eilis
  • return Ireland
  • family crisis
Q6

Why did Eilis stay in Ireland instead of returning to Tony?

Eilis stayed in Ireland because the familiar comfort of her hometown, combined with her mother's needs and the pressure of small-town expectations, created a powerful pull back toward her old life. She became entangled in family responsibilities and romantic expectations from Jim, gradually distancing herself from Tony by not writing to him. The small-town mentality she had tried to escape began to reclaim her.

  • Eilis
  • Ireland
  • stayed
  • comfort
  • choices
Q7

Why did Eilis decide to go back to Brooklyn?

Eilis decided to return to Brooklyn after confronting Miss Kelly, who reminded her of the small-town mentality that had confined her in Ireland. Realizing she could not escape the same judgments and limitations that had constrained her before, she chose the freedom and opportunity her new life represented. She confessed her secret marriage to her mother and left the next day, choosing Tony and her own future over the familiar but restrictive life in Enniscorthy.

  • Eilis
  • Brooklyn
  • choice
  • freedom
  • return
Q8

Why did Eilis help the newcomer on the ship?

Eilis helped another newcomer on the ship back to Brooklyn because she recognized herself in the young woman traveling alone. Having experienced the same fears and struggles during her own voyage, Eilis was now confident enough to offer guidance and support, demonstrating how much she had grown from the shy, uncertain girl who had first made this journey.

  • Eilis
  • helped
  • newcomer
  • ship
  • growth
Q9

How did Eilis change during her time in America?

Eilis transformed from a shy, uncertain young woman into a more self-assured person through her experiences in Brooklyn. Key factors included living independently in Mrs. Kehoe's boarding house, succeeding in bookkeeping classes, developing a relationship with Tony and his family, and gradually adapting to American culture. Her confidence grew through overcoming challenges and finding her place in a new world.

  • Eilis
  • transformation
  • confidence
  • growth
  • America
Q10

Why was Eilis hesitant to accept Tony's love?

Eilis was hesitant to accept Tony's love initially because she was still adjusting to life in America and dealing with homesickness. Additionally, Tony was Italian and came from a different cultural background than her Irish one, which added another layer of complexity to their relationship. She needed time to reflect on their wonderful moments together before reciprocating his feelings.

  • Eilis
  • Tony
  • hesitation
  • love
  • Italian

Movie threads

More Movies Like Brooklyn, by Mood & Story

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

Bittersweet Immigrant Stories Like Brooklyn

Emotional tales of finding a new home while carrying the old one in your heart. Explore movies like Brooklyn that delve into the immigrant experience. If you enjoyed the cultural conflict and heartfelt journey in Brooklyn, you'll find similar stories of hope, homesickness, and finding your place in a new world in these poignant dramas.

  • homesick
  • nostalgic
  • hopeful
  • heartwarming
  • melancholic
  • introspective
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist leaving their homeland for a new country, facing challenges of adaptation, and forming new connections. A pivotal moment, often a family crisis or a tempting opportunity back home, forces them to choose between their past and future, resolving in an ending that acknowledges the gains and losses of their decision.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here by their shared focus on the immigrant narrative arc, the bittersweet tone arising from cultural conflict, and the medium emotional weight centered on themes of homesickness and identity. They offer a similarly steady, character-driven pace that allows for deep emotional connection.

Movies About Being Torn Between Two Worlds Like Brooklyn

Character-driven stories about impossible choices between two loves or lives. Find films similar to Brooklyn where characters face a difficult choice between two lives. If you liked Eilis's dilemma between Ireland and America, you'll appreciate these stories about conflicting loyalties, love, and finding where you truly belong.

  • torn
  • introspective
  • heartfelt
  • emotional conflict
  • difficult choices
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: bittersweet, introspective, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist establishing a happy life in one setting, only to be pulled back to an equally compelling alternative from their past. The story tension builds from their internal struggle, weighing obligations, love, and personal dreams against each other, leading to a decisive choice that defines their future.

Why they belong together: These films share a core narrative structure of a protagonist divided between two equally valid paths. They are united by a bittersweet tone, medium emotional weight stemming from difficult choices, and a steady pacing that allows the audience to feel the weight of the protagonist's dilemma alongside them.

If you liked this

Movies Like Brooklyn

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

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Brooklyn (2015) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Brooklyn in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app