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Dirty Work (1998) movie poster

Timeline

Dirty Work (1998) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1998 · 82 min
Directed by
Bob Saget
Starring
Don Rickles, Jack Warden, Christopher McDonald, Norm Macdonald, Chevy Chase, Traylor Howard

Frustrated by constant mistreatment, a man finds an unusual way to fight back by becoming a professional avenger. He establishes a business, offering creative and often hilarious retribution on behalf of those seeking revenge. His unique service quickly gains popularity as he transforms personal misfortunes into a surprising and profitable venture.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
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 Dirty Work
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Dirty Work (1998)

Where can you watch Dirty Work? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Tubi TV and YouTube Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Dirty Work Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Dirty Work (1998) 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. Mitch and Sam's Childhood Stand

    In their youth, Mitch Weaver and Sam McKenna come together as social outcasts. They courageously stand against injustice by getting a school bully arrested for gun possession, which they masterminded by planting the gun.

    Where
    Midwest Town School

  2. Exposing the Crossing Guard

    Mitch and Sam expose a crossing guard for inappropriate behavior, showcasing their determination to uphold principles of justice in their community. This event further solidifies their bond as best friends and allies against wrongdoing.

    Where
    Midwest Town

  3. Loss of Mitch's Mother

    A tragic event strikes when Mitch loses his mother, leaving him devastated and alone. He moves in with Sam and Pops McKenna, seeking solace and support during this difficult time.

    Where
    Mitch's Home

  4. Teenage Antics

    As they transition into their teenage years, Mitch and Sam get involved in more troublesome behavior, such as seeking revenge on a petty meter maid. They also adopt a German Shepherd, adding to the chaos of their lives.

    Where
    Midwest Town

  5. Adulthood Struggles

    Fast forward to adulthood, Mitch and Sam find themselves struggling to find gainful employment, facing various heartbreaks. They reunite as roommates, determined to traverse the challenges of life together.

    Where
    Midwest Town

  6. Confrontation with Frat Boys

    Mitch and Sam are humiliated by a gang of college frat boys who belittle them. This incident ignites a spark of clever retaliation as they cleverly involve the police to teach the bullies a lesson.

    Where
    College Campus

  7. Pops Suffers Heart Attack

    A critical moment arrives when Pops McKenna suffers a heart attack, deeply affecting both Mitch and Sam. They learn from Dr. Farthing that to place Pops on the transplant list, a $50,000 bribe is needed.

    Where
    Hospital

  8. Desperate to Help Pops

    In their quest to save Pops, Mitch and Sam take on a series of odd jobs, showcasing their resilience. Their journey leads them to a challenging position at a movie theater under the strict management of Mr. Hamilton.

    Where
    Movie Theater

  9. A Risky Movie Screening

    At the movie theater, Mitch and Sam project a risqué, humorous film that unexpectedly resonates with their audience. This venture earns them admiration and inspires them to launch their own revenge-for-hire business, 'Dirty Work.'

    Where
    Midwest Town

  10. Scheming with Travis Cole

    The duo crosses paths with property developer Travis Cole, who tricks them into demolishing a building he doesn’t own. They are led to believe that their actions will fund Pops' surgery, revealing the manipulative nature of Cole.

    Where
    Midwest Town

  11. Retaliation Plan

    Fueled by anger and a strong desire for retribution, Mitch and Sam devise an elaborate plan to embarrass Cole. They enlist a variety of unconventional allies and use hallucinogenic brownies as part of their strategy.

    Where
    Midwest Town

  12. Public Disgrace of Cole

    During a high-profile opera, Mitch reveals that it was all a trap, leading to chaotic consequences for Travis Cole. The plan unfolds brilliantly, culminating in Cole’s public humiliation for his deception.

    Where
    Opera House

  13. Victory and Sweet Revenge

    In the aftermath, Cole is compelled to repay the bribe, allowing Mitch to win the heart of his girlfriend, Kathy. The duo’s clever and daring approach not only saves Pops but also brings them unexpected joy.

    Where
    Midwest Town

  14. Pops Receives Transplant

    With everything falling into place, Pops finally receives the much-needed transplant that Mitch and Sam worked so hard to secure. Their triumph is bittersweet as they reflect on their journey together.

    Where
    Hospital

  15. Dr. Farthing's Downfall

    The story concludes with a grim twist for Dr. Farthing, whose gambling issues take a detrimental turn. Despite this unexpected fate, Mitch and Sam celebrate their victories and enduring friendship.

    Where
    Midwest Town

Last updated: October 25, 2024 at 10:17

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Timeline questions answered

Dirty Work Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Dirty Work (1998): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Mitch and Sam plant a gun on their school bully?

As children, Mitch and Sam planted a gun on their school bully to get him arrested for gun possession. Driven by their status as social outcasts and inspired by Pops McKenna's lessons about standing up to injustice, they took matters into their own hands to fight back against the mistreatment they faced.

Foreshadowing: This early willingness to use elaborate schemes for justice foreshadows their later career as professional revenge-for-hire specialists.

  • mitch
  • sam
  • bully
  • gun
  • school
  • arrested
  • childhood
Q2

How do Mitch and Sam raise $50,000 for Pops' heart transplant?

Mitch and Sam raise the $50,000 bribe money through a series of desperate odd jobs. After losing multiple jobs and facing heartbreak as adults, they work at a movie theater under harsh manager Mr. Hamilton. There, they project a risqué film that earns them admiration from peers and inspires them to launch their revenge-for-hire business, 'Dirty Work,' which becomes their primary money-making venture.

  • pops
  • transplant
  • 50000
  • bribe
  • money
  • dirty work
  • business
Q3

Why does Travis Cole trick Mitch and Sam into demolishing a building?

Property developer Travis Cole manipulates Mitch and Sam by claiming demolishing a building he doesn't own will help fund Pops' heart transplant surgery. In reality, Cole is simply using their desperation to advance his own development interests, exploiting their willingness to do anything to save their surrogate father.

  • travis cole
  • demolish
  • building
  • trick
  • scam
  • property developer
Q4

How do Mitch and Sam execute their revenge plan against Travis Cole?

Mitch and Sam orchestrate an elaborate revenge scheme during a high-profile opera performance. They enlist unconventional allies and use hallucinogenic brownies as part of their strategy. During the event, Mitch shouts "This is a trap!" revealing the entire plan, which culminates in Cole's public humiliation and disgrace for his deception.

  • travis cole
  • revenge
  • opera
  • brownies
  • humiliation
  • trap
  • public
Q5

Why does Dr. Farthing require a bribe for Pops to get on the transplant list?

When Pops suffers a heart attack, Dr. Farthing informs Mitch and Sam that a $50,000 bribe is necessary to put Pops on the organ transplant list. This shady requirement sets in motion the desperate series of events that drives the entire plot, with the corrupt doctor exploiting the urgency of Pops' medical condition.

  • dr farthing
  • bribe
  • transplant list
  • heart attack
  • pops
  • chevy chase
Q6

Why does Mitch end up with Kathy after the revenge on Cole?

As part of the fallout from exposing Travis Cole's scheme, Cole is compelled to repay the $50,000 bribe money he had demanded. This financial resolution allows Mitch to clear his debts and win back his girlfriend Kathy, who had been part of the complicated romantic subplot throughout the film.

  • mitch
  • kathy
  • traylor howard
  • girlfriend
  • romance
  • victory
Q7

What happens to Dr. Farthing at the end of the movie?

Dr. Farthing's gambling addiction leads to his downfall. The film concludes with a grim twist showing that the gambling victors take a detrimental turn against him, suggesting violent or severe consequences for the corrupt doctor who demanded the bribe for Pops' surgery.

  • dr farthing
  • gambling
  • downfall
  • end
  • fate
  • chevy chase
Q8

Why do Mitch and Sam start the 'Dirty Work' revenge-for-hire business?

Mitch and Sam start 'Dirty Work' after their risqué movie screening at the theater earns them admiration from peers and gives them the idea to monetize their natural talent for retribution. Combined with their desperate need to raise money for Pops' surgery, the business becomes both a profitable venture and a way to channel their lifelong tendency to fight back against injustice.

  • dirty work
  • revenge business
  • mitch
  • sam
  • startup
  • odd jobs
Q9

Why does Mitch move in with Sam and Pops after his mother dies?

Mitch moves in with Sam and Pops McKenna after losing his single mother, leaving him devastated and alone. This tragic event forces him to seek solace and support, deepening the father-son dynamic between Pops and both boys, which becomes the emotional core motivating their later efforts to save Pops' life.

  • mitch
  • mother dies
  • moves in
  • sam
  • pops
  • childhood
  • family
Q10

How do Mitch and Sam get revenge on the college frat boys who humiliated them?

After being humiliated by a gang of college frat boys, Mitch and Sam retaliate by cleverly involving the police in their counterattack. This incident demonstrates their signature approach to justice: using wit and resourcefulness rather than direct confrontation, setting the stage for their future revenge-for-hire business.

  • frat boys
  • revenge
  • college
  • police
  • humiliation
  • retaliation

Movie threads

More Movies Like Dirty Work, by Mood & Story

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

Irreverent Underdog Revenge Stories like Dirty Work

Mischievous schemes and pranks where the little guy finally gets even. If you liked the chaotic pranks and triumphant spirit of Dirty Work, explore more movies where lovable underdogs turn the tables through clever schemes. These films share a fast-paced, irreverent tone and focus on humorous payback, offering a cathartic and fun viewing experience.

  • rebellious
  • irreverent
  • cathartic
  • slapstick
  • underdog
  • chaotic humor
  • Tone: light, rebellious, irreverent
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a group of underdogs or a lone protagonist who, after being pushed too far, embark on a series of escalating pranks or schemes to humiliate their antagonists. The journey is filled with chaotic humor and unexpected obstacles, building towards a public and satisfying comeuppance for the villains.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on clever, non-violent revenge driven by a rebellious, comedic spirit. They balance darker subject matter with a lighthearted tone, resulting in a fast-paced and cathartic experience where the underdogs win through wit and audacity.

Revenge of the Nerds movie poster

Revenge of the Nerds

1984
Dirty Work movie poster

Dirty Work

1998
Demoted movie poster

Demoted

2011
The Comeback Trail movie poster

The Comeback Trail

2020
Trading Places movie poster

Trading Places

1983
Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation movie poster

Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation

1992
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story movie poster

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

2004
Porky's Revenge movie poster

Porky's Revenge

1985

Movies About Unlikely Business Ventures like Dirty Work

Friends turning a ridiculous idea into a surprisingly successful enterprise. Fans of the makeshift revenge-for-hire business in Dirty Work will enjoy these comedies about absurd entrepreneurial schemes. Discover movies where friends turn a wild idea into a profitable, chaotic operation, filled with slapstick humor and a spirit of rebellion.

  • entrepreneurial
  • friendship
  • slapstick
  • unconventional
  • cynical
  • chaotic
  • Tone: light, cynical, humorous
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around protagonists, often friends, who identify a bizarre market need and create a business to fill it. The narrative follows the rapid growth and escalating absurdity of their operations, leading to conflicts with authority figures and moral dilemmas, all while reinforcing the bonds of camaraderie.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central premise of an unconventional business as a vehicle for comedy and character development. They share a fast pace, chaotic energy, and a theme of succeeding against the odds through sheer audacity and loyalty.

Unfinished Business movie poster

Unfinished Business

2015
Budapest movie poster

Budapest

2018
Like a Boss movie poster

Like a Boss

2020
The Best Movie movie poster

The Best Movie

2008
Big Business movie poster

Big Business

1988
Busy Buddies movie poster

Busy Buddies

1944
The Odd Couple movie poster

The Odd Couple

2007
All the Best: Fun Begins movie poster

All the Best: Fun Begins

2009

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Movies Like Dirty Work

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Browse all movie summaries
Dirty Grandpa movie poster

Dirty Grandpa

2016
Dirty Deeds movie poster

Dirty Deeds

2005
Deep Murder movie poster

Deep Murder

2019
Men at Work movie poster

Men at Work

1990
Dirty Work movie poster

Dirty Work

2018
Drop Dead Sexy movie poster

Drop Dead Sexy

2005
Dirty Laundry movie poster

Dirty Laundry

1987
Dirty Work in a Laundry movie poster

Dirty Work in a Laundry

1915
Dirty Laundry movie poster

Dirty Laundry

2020
Lowdown Dirty Criminals movie poster

Lowdown Dirty Criminals

2020
Dirty War movie poster

Dirty War

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Dirty O’Neil movie poster

Dirty O’Neil

1974

Every angle

Dirty Work (1998) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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