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Can You Keep a Secret? (2019) movie poster

Timeline

Can You Keep a Secret? (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 94 min · English
Echo score 45
JustWatch #14,168 6
Directed by
Elise Duran
Starring
Sunita Mani, Courtney Gonzalez, Kimiko Glenn, Tyler Hoechlin, Alexandra Daddario, Laverne Cox

During a turbulent flight, a young woman unexpectedly confides her deepest secrets to a charming stranger. To her surprise, fate intervenes, and she discovers the man she shared her vulnerabilities with is none other than her future boss. Now, he possesses intimate details about her personal and professional life, creating a complicated and potentially compromising situation as they navigate their relationship.

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 Can You Keep a Secret?
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Can You Keep a Secret? (2019)

Where can you watch Can You Keep a Secret?? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Tubi TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Can You Keep a Secret? Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Can You Keep a Secret? (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. Sales Meeting in Chicago

    Emma Corrigan attends a critical sales meeting in Chicago, representing Panda, an organic food company. Unfortunately, her efforts are thwarted when the client reveals a lack of interest in their products, plunging Emma into a moment of desperation.

    Where
    Chicago
  2. Accidental Spillage

    In a frantic bid to salvage the meeting, Emma accidentally sprays the client with an energy drink, compounding the embarrassment of an already difficult situation. This blunder marks a low point in her professional journey that day.

    Where
    Chicago
  3. First-Class Flight Upgrade

    On her flight back to New York, Emma is offered a vacant first-class seat by a sympathetic flight attendant. As she enjoys her complimentary champagne, she meets a charming stranger who will change her life.

    Where
    Onboard Flight
  4. Confession During Turbulence

    As turbulence hits and amidst a haze of inebriation, Emma believes she is facing her last moments. She spills her innermost secrets about her dissatisfaction with her boyfriend, revealing her vulnerability to the mysterious man beside her.

    Where
    Onboard Flight
  5. Awkward Reunion with Connor

    Upon landing in New York, Emma is greeted by her boyfriend Connor, who suggests they move in together. However, this leads to a drunken agreement that leaves Emma filled with regret the next morning.

    Where
    New York Airport
  6. Reprimand from Boss

    Back at work, Emma faces her boss Cybill's sharp criticism for the disastrous meeting in Chicago. Cybill instructs her to prepare for an important visit from the company CEO, adding more pressure to Emma's already stressful situation.

    Where
    Panda Company Office
  7. CEO Jack Harper's Arrival

    To Emma's astonishment, Jack Harper, the company CEO, is revealed to be the charming stranger from her flight. They share an awkward moment of recognition, and Jack assures her he won't disclose her embarrassing confessions.

    Where
    Panda Company Office
  8. Bold Marketing Proposal

    During a crucial marketing meeting, Emma challenges her coworkers by proposing a bold strategy to target the elderly demographic for Panda Bites. Despite initial skepticism, she passionately defends her idea, seeking funds for a new advertising campaign.

    Where
    Panda Company Office
  9. Ending Her Relationship with Connor

    Emma attempts to reignite her relationship with Connor but faces rejection, leading her to decisively break up with him. This liberating moment paves the way for her to explore new possibilities, especially with Jack.

  10. Passionate Romance with Jack

    As Emma and Jack's relationship blossoms, they embark on a passionate romance filled with vulnerability and excitement. Yet, the enigmatic nature of Jack leaves Emma with more questions than answers.

  11. Live Television Revelation

    An unexpected embarrassment occurs when Jack inadvertently reveals one of Emma's secrets during a live television appearance discussing Panda's marketing strategy. This public disclosure creates tension and strife between the two.

    Where
    Live Television
  12. Confrontation at the Coffee Shop

    Emma confronts Jack at a coffee shop, demanding to know more about his secretive trips to Chicago. The conversation highlights the unequal dynamics of their relationship but fails to provide the clarity Emma seeks.

    Where
    Coffee Shop
  13. Gaining Recognition at Work

    Emma's innovative advertising campaign for the elderly magazine leads to a boost in sales for the company and earns her the recognition she's been seeking. Despite her success, Cybill warns her about gaining respect in the office.

    Where
    Panda Company Office
  14. Revelation About Jack

    At Lissy's dance recital, Emma learns the truth behind Jack's frequent trips to Chicago: he is the godparent of Pete's secret daughter. This revelation helps mend their relationship, allowing them to connect on a deeper level.

    Where
    Dance Recital
  15. Reconciliation on a Flight

    On a flight back to Chicago, Emma and Jack reconcile after misunderstandings about media portrayals of Jack's life. This flight marks a pivotal moment where they begin to reveal their secrets, solidifying their bond.

    Where
    Onboard Flight

Last updated: November 02, 2024 at 13:14

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Timeline questions answered

Can You Keep a Secret? Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why does Emma confess her secrets to a stranger during the flight?

Emma confesses because she believes the severe turbulence means the plane is going to crash. Having drunk champagne and thinking she's about to die, she feels freed from normal social constraints and shares her deepest secrets, including her unhappiness with boyfriend Connor.

  • flight confession
  • turbulence
  • secrets
  • drunk confession
Q2

Why does Jack keep Emma's secrets after learning she's an employee?

Jack finds the situation amusing and is intrigued by Emma. Rather than using her secrets against her professionally, he decides to keep them private while gradually pursuing a personal relationship with her, though he teases her about them.

  • Jack Harper
  • secrets
  • CEO
  • workplace relationship
Q3

How does Jack end up being Emma's CEO?

Jack Harper is the CEO of Panda, the company where Emma works as a junior marketing representative. When he travels first class, he happens to sit beside Emma, not knowing she was an employee until he arrives at her workplace.

  • Jack Harper CEO
  • Panda company
  • coincidence
Q4

Why does Emma break up with Connor?

Emma tries to rekindle her relationship with Connor after feeling frustrated at work, but he rejects her advance. Rather than being devastated, she uses this rejection as motivation to end the relationship permanently, choosing to focus on her career and new connection with Jack.

  • Connor
  • breakup
  • rejection
  • relationship ending
Q5

How does Jack accidentally reveal Emma's secret on live television?

During a live television interview about Panda's marketing strategy, Jack discusses one of Emma's ideas (the elderly campaign) and inadvertently mentions a personal detail Emma had confided on the plane, humiliating her in front of the cameras.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Emma tells Jack she's unhappy with her job and personal life during the flight confession.

  • live TV
  • secret revealed
  • public humiliation
  • interview
Q6

Why is Emma upset about Jack's secret trips to Chicago?

Emma becomes suspicious and hurt because Jack frequently visits Chicago but never explains why. She feels the relationship is one-sided since she shared everything with him while he remained secretive about his activities.

  • Chicago trips
  • secrets
  • trust issues
  • relationship inequality
Q7

What is Jack's secret about Chicago?

Jack visits Chicago to see his goddaughter, the secret daughter of his friend Pete. He kept this private because it's a personal matter involving someone else's family situation, not because he was hiding anything romantic.

  • godparent
  • Pete's daughter
  • Chicago
  • secret reason
Q8

Why does Emma finally get promoted at Panda?

Emma gets promoted because her idea to market Panda Bites to elderly customers through a magazine proves highly successful, significantly boosting sales. Despite her personal relationship with Jack becoming known, her professional achievement earns her the position.

  • promotion
  • marketing success
  • elderly campaign
  • Panda Bites
Q9

How do Emma and Jack reconcile after the TV incident?

They reconcile during a flight back to Chicago. After Emma learns the truth about Jack's Chicago trips (that he's a godparent), and Jack realizes Emma had nothing to do with any tabloid stories about him, they forgive each other and share their own secrets, strengthening their bond through honesty.

  • reconciliation
  • flight
  • honesty
  • trust restored

Movie threads

More Movies Like Can You Keep a Secret?, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Can You Keep a Secret? tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Awkward Workplace Romances like in Can You Keep a Secret?

Love blossoms in the office, complicated by professional boundaries and secrets. If you liked the charming and awkward office romance in Can You Keep a Secret?, you'll enjoy these movies. This thread features comedies and romance stories where love blooms between coworkers, creating a mix of professional tension and personal vulnerability, all leading to a happy ending.

  • romantic
  • awkward
  • playful
  • uplifting
  • embarrassing
  • vulnerable
  • Tone: light, playful
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically begin with an unexpected encounter or shared secret between coworkers. The plot revolves around navigating the complexities of a relationship within a professional setting, often involving moments of public or private embarrassment, a crisis of trust, and a final resolution that reconciles their personal and professional lives.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the romantic and comedic potential of workplace dynamics. They share a light tone, a steady pacing driven by character interactions, and a central conflict that arises from mixing personal feelings with professional environments.

Movies where Secrets Lead to Love like in Can You Keep a Secret?

Accidental honesty and shared secrets create unexpected, heartfelt connections. Fans of Can You Keep a Secret? will enjoy this collection of movies where a vulnerable moment or a shared secret sparks a romantic connection. These stories explore how truth and vulnerability forge stronger bonds, featuring charming characters, light comedy, and ultimately uplifting endings.

  • vulnerable
  • heartfelt
  • uplifting
  • romantic
  • charming
  • truthful
  • Tone: light, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist letting their guard down, typically in an unconventional or accidental way, and revealing a hidden truth to a stranger or acquaintance. This initial moment of vulnerability creates a unique intimacy that drives the plot, as the characters build a relationship based on this unexpected honesty, facing and overcoming complications along the way.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their central theme of vulnerability leading to connection. They share a light emotional weight, an uplifting feel, and a focus on character-driven romance where the catalyst for love is an act of unplanned truth-telling.

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Every angle

Can You Keep a Secret? (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Can You Keep a Secret? 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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