Clear History (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Nathan changes his identity to escape the humiliation of losing his billion-dollar stake in the Howard electric car. After being mocked in the press as the man who walked away from a massive success, he moves to Martha's Vineyard and adopts a new name to start fresh, hoping to leave his past behind.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening scene establishes how publicly embarrassing Nathan's downfall was, making his desire for a new identity understandable.

• nathan flomm
• rolly davore
• name change
• identity
• humiliation

Nathan resents Haney because the electric car named 'the Howard' became a billion-dollar success after Nathan left the company. Nathan had objected to naming the car after Haney's son and accepted a severance package, only to watch the car make Haney rich while Nathan became a public joke.

Foreshadowing: The opening scene establishes Nathan's violent objection to the naming, showing his pride would not allow him to accept the decision.

• revenge
• will haney
• electric car
• howard
• billion dollar

Nathan punches Jaspar because he is desperately trying to prevent Jaspar from dating Jennifer. This aggressive act exposes Nathan as out of touch with his new community and triggers accusations that he is racist, since Jaspar is the only Black guest at the party.

Foreshadowing: The punch happens early in Nathan's Vineyard life, showing how disconnected he remains despite his fresh start.

• jaspar
• punch
• racism
• birthday party
• jennifer

Nathan needs a detonator to blow up Haney's mansion, and Tibor is a criminal who can provide that equipment. Nathan pays Tibor $1,000 for the detonator, which tightens the dangerous web of lies and deception surrounding his revenge scheme.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Nathan learns Tibor is connected to Jennifer, adding personal stakes to this criminal transaction.

• tibor
• detonator
• chechen
• explosives
• revenge plan

Nathan spreads this false rumor to create scandal and chaos, as part of his broader web of deception. The lie is designed to damage reputations and add another volatile element to his increasingly dangerous revenge plot, potentially creating more chaos for Haney's circle.

Foreshadowing: This lie connects to the earlier rumor mill about Wendy and the band, showing Nathan weaponizing gossip.

• jennifer
• rumor
• band
• chicago
• lie

The explosion becomes tragic because the mansion was being built as a home for sick and underprivileged children. When Nathan detonates the explosion during the Chicago concert, a bus full of children arrives at the site, turning his act of revenge into a disaster that harms innocent victims.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish the mansion's construction, but its charitable purpose is revealed only at the climax.

• mansion
• explosion
• children
• tragedy
• blue heron

All three men serve three years in prison for their roles in the explosion. Nathan planned and orchestrated the bombing, Joe Stumpo provided the explosives expertise to execute it, and Haney was implicated as the property owner involved in the scheme, despite not being the mastermind.

Foreshadowing: The three men's increasingly intertwined dealings throughout the film make them all complicit.

• prison
• consequences
• flomm
• haney
• stumpo

Nathan returns to the Vineyard because it's the only place where he has genuine connections. Despite his mistakes, his friends Frank, Wendy, and the community accept him back. The island represents his true home where he can rebuild his life, even after serving time for his disastrous revenge plot.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Nathan's relationships with Frank and others show they care about him despite his flaws.

• marthas vineyard
• return
• prison
• friends
• flomm

When Nathan and Jennifer reunite after his prison release, he notices she has gained weight. This detail matters because it shows how much time has passed and how both characters have changed, while also reflecting the film's theme of people moving on with their lives despite past connections.

Foreshadowing: Jennifer was central to Nathan's earlier schemes and lies, making their reunion symbolically significant.

• jennifer
• weight
• reunion
• changes

At the end, Nathan learns that Jennifer did indeed perform oral sex on members of the Chicago band during their earlier visit to the Vineyard. This is the bitter truth that had haunted Nathan throughout the film, confirming the rumor he overheard and showing how his obsessions were sometimes based in reality.

Foreshadowing: The rumor about Wendy and the band gnaws at Nathan earlier, establishing that these rumors often have truth to them.

• jennifer
• chicago
• band
• fellatio
• truth
• rumor

Nathan has changed significantly over the ten years - he is now bald and clean-shaven after having been bearded and long-haired in 2003. His altered appearance, combined with his new name Rolly DaVore, allows him to move among his former associates without immediate recognition.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Nathan's distinctive bearded appearance in 2003, making his transformation stark.

• haney
• recognition
• disguise
• Rolly DaVore

Haney chooses the Blue Heron site for its prestige and location on Martha's Vineyard. The property carries historical significance since it was once the Stumpo family home, which becomes relevant when Nathan enlists Joe Stumpo (a relative) to help blow up the very land his family lost.

Foreshadowing: Joe Stumpo's connection to the property is revealed when Nathan recruits him, adding personal stakes to the destruction.

• blue heron
• stumpo
• mansion
• haney
• property