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Capone (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 103 min · English
Echo score 55
JustWatch #3,850 18
Directed by
Josh Trank
Starring
Linda Cardellini, Tom Hardy, Jack Lowden, Sue-Lynn Ansari, Edgar Arreola, Al Sapienza
Budget
$20.6M

Suffering from dementia, infamous gangster Alfonse Capone is haunted by memories of his violent past. As his mind deteriorates, the FBI investigates, and Capone struggles to distinguish reality from the fragmented recollections of his criminal empire. He must piece together his fading memories to uncover the location of a hidden fortune somewhere on his estate, all while confronting the consequences of his past deeds.

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 Capone
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Capone (2020)

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

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Capone Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Capone (2020) 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. Capone's Imprisonment

    In 1931, Alphonse 'Al' Capone found himself imprisoned, suffering from the debilitating effects of neurosyphilis and dementia. His decline marked the end of his once-feared reign over the criminal underworld.

    When
    1931
    Where
    Prison
  2. Release and Relocation

    After a decade in prison, a frail Capone was released and retreated to a life of exile in Florida. Surrounded by family, he began to navigate through the fog of his illness in this new chapter.

    Where
    Florida
  3. Unexpected Encounter

    While wandering through his home, Fonse discovered a hidden closet and startled a little girl, creating a fleeting connection. This moment, however, quickly turned into joyful chaos as he played with his grandchildren outside.

    Where
    Home
  4. Thanksgiving Dinner

    During Thanksgiving dinner, Capone struggled to explain the holiday to his granddaughter amidst the confusion of his illness. The evening took a bittersweet turn when he shared a dance with his wife, Mae, igniting memories of happier times.

    When
    Thanksgiving
    Where
    Home
  5. A Call from Tony

    Capone received a brief and unexpected phone call from his estranged son, Tony. The conversation revealed a tense relationship, as Fonse's fading memory made it difficult for him to grasp the significance of the moment.

    Where
    Home
  6. Deteriorating Condition

    As dusk settled, Capone's health continued to decline, leading him outside to join his sons. Little did he know, he was being surveilled by agents observing his every move as he struggled with the realities of his helplessness.

    When
    Dusk
    Where
    Outside
  7. Auction of Possessions

    Capone's belongings were auctioned off to settle debts, a stark reminder of how far he had fallen. He could feel the weight of his past looming around him, adding to his sense of unease.

    Where
    Home
  8. Visions and Nightmares

    As night fell, Capone experienced disturbing visions, including a ghostly young boy. His condition alarmed Mae, prompting the call for Dr. Karlock to assess his deteriorating state.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Home
  9. Fishing Trip with Johnny

    An old friend, Johnny, visited for a fishing trip, prompting Capone to reminisce about buried treasure. Despite his failing memories, he expressed belief in the existence of a fortune lost in the past.

    Where
    Lake
  10. Dinner Table Explosion

    During dinner, Fonse's paranoia peaked when he fixated on the appearance of Gino's steak. His mounting tension culminated in a violent eruption at the table, revealing the depths of his unraveling mind.

    Where
    Dining Room
  11. Screaming Terror

    A radio broadcast rekindled memories of betrayal, jolting Capone awake with terror. As the echoes of his chaotic past threatened to overwhelm him, Mae and the nurse rushed in to save him from his panic.

    Where
    Home
  12. Manic Fit

    In a burst of confusion, Fonse picked up a Tommy gun and began firing recklessly, tragically killing his bodyguard, Gino. This act of violence highlighted the stark contrast between his past prowess and current instability.

    Where
    Home
  13. Haunting Bodily Collapse

    As tensions escalated, Capone suffered a stroke, leaving his family in a frantic attempt to revive him. This breakdown symbolized the culmination of his decline from a feared gangster to a helpless figure.

    Where
    Home
  14. Thanksgiving Reunion

    As the seasons passed, the family gathered for Thanksgiving once more, this time with Tony finally in attendance after a long absence. Their shared silence spoke volumes against the backdrop of their intricate familial bond.

    When
    Thanksgiving
    Where
    Home
  15. Legacy of Capone

    Following Capone's death, his family sought to reinvent themselves, shedding their dark legacy. Despite their attempts, the enigma of his lost fortune lingered, forever eluding discovery and haunting their lives.

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:18

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Timeline questions answered

Capone Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Capone (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Capone shoot and kill Gino?

During a manic episode fueled by his dementia and hallucinations, Capone grabs a Tommy gun and fires recklessly around the house, accidentally killing his loyal bodyguard Gino. This violent outburst represents the tragic collapse of his mind, he is no longer capable of distinguishing reality from memory, and his body's violent impulses override any rational thought.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Capone's growing paranoia and violent flashbacks to his criminal past, building toward this explosive moment.

  • capone
  • gino
  • death
  • tommy gun
  • shooting
  • murder
  • dementia
Q2

Where did Capone bury his hidden $10 million?

The location of Capone's buried fortune remains a mystery throughout the film and is never actually found. While Capone believes he buried $10 million somewhere on his Florida estate and receives cryptic clues like "Dig where it's wet," his deteriorating mind prevents him from piecing together the location. The fortune eludes both him and the FBI agents desperately trying to recover it.

Foreshadowing: Johnny's fishing trip with Capone triggers the first concrete mention of buried treasure, with Capone insisting he buried a staggering sum.

  • capone
  • money
  • fortune
  • buried treasure
  • hidden wealth
  • 10 million
Q3

What disease causes Capone's mental decline?

Capone suffers from neurosyphilis, a complication of untreated syphilis that attacks the brain and nervous system. This condition, combined with dementia, causes his memory loss, confusion, hallucinations, and eventual physical collapse. The disease was already progressing during his prison sentence in 1931, and by the time he reaches Florida, his mind is severely deteriorated.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Capone imprisoned in 1931, already showing signs of the debilitating effects of neurosyphilis.

  • capone
  • neurosyphilis
  • dementia
  • mental decline
  • disease
  • syphilis
Q4

What does the clue "Dig where it's wet" mean in Capone?

"Dig where it's wet" refers to the lake on Capone's Florida property. During a moment of clarity amid his hallucinations, Capone recalls this cryptic hint and dives into the lake, believing the money is submerged. However, he awakens back on shore, and whether he actually found anything remains ambiguous, the scene shifts to him being surrounded by family, suggesting the treasure hunt was another delusion.

Foreshadowing: The clue emerges during one of Capone's more lucid moments while fishing with Johnny, who helps jog his memory about the burial location.

  • dig where it's wet
  • clue
  • lake
  • money
  • buried
  • treasure
Q5

Why does Capone have a violent outburst over the steak at dinner?

Capone's explosive reaction at the dinner table stems from paranoia induced by his dementia. When he sees Gino's steak, he becomes convinced it's something sinister rather than food. His damaged mind cannot process everyday objects correctly, and this triggers a violent outburst that terrifies his family. The scene demonstrates how his declining mental state turns ordinary situations into sources of terror.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes already show Capone struggling to distinguish reality, with visions of past associates haunting him.

  • capone
  • steak
  • dinner
  • outburst
  • paranoia
  • violence
  • dementia
Q6

Why is the FBI still watching Capone in Florida?

The FBI continues surveilling Capone even in Florida because they believe he still possesses knowledge of or access to his hidden criminal fortune. Agent Crawford is determined to find evidence of Capone's remaining wealth and ties to organized crime. Despite Capone's frail and confused state, authorities suspect he may be hiding assets or at least knows where they are buried.

Foreshadowing: Capone is shown being observed by agents throughout the film, particularly when he ventures outside with his sons.

  • fbi
  • surveillance
  • agent
  • capone
  • money
  • investigation
  • fortune
Q7

Why does Capone mistakenly call the authorities for help?

In his confused state, Capone attempts to call what he believes are helpful authorities, but he is actually reaching the FBI agents who are already surveilling him. This desperate act shows how disconnected he has become from reality, he cannot distinguish between those who want to help him and those investigating him. The call inadvertently alerts the agents to his vulnerability.

Foreshadowing: His growing confusion and paranoia about people around him have been building throughout the film.

  • capone
  • police
  • call
  • dementia
  • confusion
  • fbi
Q8

Why is Tony absent from Capone's life?

Tony, Capone's estranged son, has distanced himself from his father, largely due to the shame and complexity of Capone's criminal legacy. When Tony finally calls during Thanksgiving, the conversation is brief and emotionally distant, Capone struggles to even recognize the significance of hearing from his son. By the following Thanksgiving, Tony finally visits in person, but the two sit in silent understanding rather than exchanging words, reflecting their fractured relationship.

Foreshadowing: The first Thanksgiving phone call establishes the tense, distant nature of their relationship early in the film.

  • tony
  • capone
  • son
  • family
  • estranged
  • absence
  • relationship
Q9

Who is the little girl Capone finds in the closet?

The little girl Capone discovers hiding in a closet is one of his granddaughters or niece. When he startles her with his intimidating appearance, she screams, but the situation quickly resolves as she joins the other children playing outside. This moment briefly brings Capone joy as he watches the grandchildren play, though it also triggers confusing memories from his violent past.

Foreshadowing: This encounter happens early in the film as Capone explores his Florida home, establishing his connection to family despite his illness.

  • capone
  • girl
  • closet
  • grandchildren
  • family
  • home
Q10

What happens to Capone's family after he dies?

After Capone's death, his family immediately reinvents themselves under new names, desperately trying to escape the dark legacy of the Capone name. They seek to distance themselves from the criminal empire and the notoriety that came with it. Despite their efforts to start fresh, the mystery of Capone's lost fortune continues to haunt them, remaining undiscovered.

Foreshadowing: The final Thanksgiving scene shows the family together, but the unresolved money mystery looms over their future.

  • capone
  • family
  • death
  • new names
  • legacy
  • fortune
  • reinvent

Movie threads

More Movies Like Capone, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about psychological deterioration like Capone

Unflinching portrayals of a character's mind unraveling under the weight of their past. If you appreciated the psychological depth of Capone, explore these movies that delve into fractured minds and unraveling realities. This section features similar films about mental illness, dementia, and the haunting nature of memory, perfect for viewers who like heavy, introspective character studies.

  • disorienting
  • oppressive
  • psychological
  • haunting
  • sad
  • paranoid
  • Tone: dark, melancholic, oppressive
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often unfold from a single, unreliable perspective, using non-linear structures to mirror a character's disintegrating mental state. The central journey is one of internal collapse, where protagonists confront forgotten traumas and struggle to maintain a grip on reality against a rising tide of confusion and fear.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their intense, psychological focus on a protagonist's mental deterioration. They share a heavy emotional weight, a dark or bleak tone, and often a slow, deliberate pacing that allows the audience to feel the suffocating weight of the character's internal struggle.

Crime dramas about a gangster's demise like Capone

A dark, slow-burn look at the grim and lonely end of a once-powerful criminal. For viewers who liked the bleak, introspective take on a gangster's end in Capone, this section collects similar crime dramas. Discover movies about the downfall of crime figures, focusing on regret, legacy, and the heavy price of a life of violence, rather than the action-packed rise to power.

  • melancholic
  • lonely
  • oppressive
  • sad
  • haunting
  • regretful
  • Tone: dark, bittersweet, melancholic
  • Pacing: slow, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow a fall-from-grace arc, but the emphasis is on the aftermath—the physical and moral decay. The conflict shifts from external power struggles to an internal battle with regret, paranoia, and the consequences of past actions, often set against a backdrop of surveillance or betrayal.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are connected by their focus on the grim, unglamorous end of a criminal's life. They share a bittersweet or bleak ending feel, a dark tone, and a mood that is deeply melancholic and lonely, prioritizing character reflection over fast-paced action.

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Movies Like Capone

Similar movies to Capone: 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

Capone (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Capone 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.

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