Free Fire (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Harry shoots Stevo because Stevo had assaulted Harry's cousin the day before. When Stevo realizes Harry was the one who beat him up, he provocatively brags about what he did to Harry's cousin, which enrages Harry into shooting him in the shoulder. This single act triggers the entire chaotic gunfight.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that Stevo was beaten up by someone connected to a woman he assaulted, creating the groundwork for the later confrontation.

• harry
• stevo
• shot
• gunfight
• provocation

Martin hired the hitmen Howie and Jimmy. Martin had planned to double-cross Vernon and keep the money for himself. He reveals this in a delirious state after regaining consciousness, admitting he hired the assassins to kill everyone else at the deal. However, Howie is killed before he can name Martin as his employer.

Foreshadowing: Martin was the one holding the briefcase of money, suggesting he had already planned to take it.

• howie
• jimmy
• hitmen
• martin
• double-cross

Martin turns on his own group because he had already planned to betray Vernon. After being grazed by a bullet in the head and collapsing, Martin regains consciousness delirious and begins shooting at his own associates. He reveals he hired Howie and Jimmy to kill everyone so he could take the money for himself.

• martin
• betrayal
• shooting
• double-cross
• money

Justine shoots Ord in the head to take the money and escape, but her shot unintentionally hits Chris in the stomach. When Chris lies dying, Justine tells him she regrets that he got in the way. She then limps toward the exit with the briefcase, only to realize the police have arrived and she will not escape.

Foreshadowing: Justine has been self-serving throughout the film, using the chaos as an opportunity to grab the money.

• justine
• shoots
• money
• escape
• police

The briefcase of money changes hands multiple times throughout the fight. After Martin's failed double-cross, Chris eventually secures it. Ord and Chris agree to take the money and escape together, but Justine kills Ord and accidentally shoots Chris. She then takes the briefcase and attempts to flee, but is trapped by approaching police sirens.

• briefcase
• money
• steals
• final

Chris protects Justine because he views her as the only innocent party in the conflict. When Vernon's group targets her, Chris steps in to defend her and asks Vernon's group to let her go. His protection continues throughout the violence, though ultimately Justine betrays him.

• chris
• justine
• protect
• innocent

Stevo dies when Harry tries to escape in the van. As Harry drives toward the warehouse exit, Stevo fires at the van. Harry runs over Stevo's head, killing him. However, Stevo's final shot goes through the bottom of the van and hits Harry, killing him as well.

• stevo
• death
• van
• harry
• killed

The IRA members Chris and Frank were buying guns from Vernon and his arms dealing associates. The weapons were supposed to be rifles, though Vernon initially supplied the wrong ones. The deal was arranged through intermediary Justine and Ord, but tensions between the two groups and the eventual violence derailed the transaction.

• ira
• weapons
• Vernon
• guns
• deal

Vernon dies when Chris reaches the office where Vernon is hiding. After Vernon is severely burned by a fire Frank started, he kills Frank as Frank reaches the phone. Chris then pursues Vernon into the office and kills him, taking control of the money and the phone to call for backup.

• vernon
• death
• killed
• chris
• fire

No one escapes because the police arrive as the survivors attempt to flee. After Ord and Chris stop fighting and try to escape with the money, Justine kills Ord and accidentally shoots Chris. She limps toward the exit with the briefcase, but the sound of sirens grows louder and red and blue flashing lights appear under the door, trapping her inside.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that this is a desperate situation with no apparent end, foreshadowing the inevitable arrival of law enforcement.

• escape
• police
• sirens
• trapped
• final