Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Game of Aces (2016) movie poster

Timeline

Game of Aces (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · English
Directed by
Damien Lay

During World War II, a specialized team undertakes a dangerous mission to extract a vital traitor from enemy territory. Their perilous journey takes them across the vast and unforgiving desert, where they face relentless enemy forces and navigate treacherous landscapes. As they struggle to survive, the team must confront the brutal realities of war and grapple with the ultimate price of loyalty and sacrifice.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (11)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Game of Aces
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Game of Aces (2016)

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

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

11 events in order · contains spoilers

Game of Aces Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Game of Aces (2016) 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. Mission Assignment

    In the scorching desert of Egypt in 1918, British General Rupert Graves III assigns a critical mission to Eleanor Morgan, a skilled English nurse and translator. Her task is to find and rescue Capt. Josef von Zimmerman, a notorious German pilot known for his impressive aerial capabilities.

    When
    1918
    Where
    Egypt
  2. Unexpected Partnership

    Eleanor Morgan is paired with Capt. Jackson Cove, an American pilot serving with the British Allied forces. Despite being a skilled pilot, Cove's alcoholism has led to grounding and a shocking record of nine aircraft crashes, complicating their partnership.

    Where
    Sahara Desert
  3. Building Tension

    As Morgan and Cove journey through the treacherous Sahara Desert, they begin to forge an uneasy alliance rooted in their shared goal. However, the air is thick with tension due to Cove's desire for revenge against von Zimmermann, the pilot responsible for his brother's death.

    Where
    Sahara Desert
  4. Discovery of Change

    During their quest, Morgan discovers that von Zimmermann has undergone a transformation. He is now willing to provide crucial intelligence to the British in exchange for a chance at redemption, raising ethical dilemmas for the rescuers.

  5. Locating von Zimmermann

    Morgan and Cove finally locate Capt. Josef von Zimmermann. However, they find him gravely injured and suffering from amnesia, complicating their mission further as they must decide how to proceed.

    Where
    Remote desert site
  6. Navigating Back to Safety

    With time running out and danger lurking, the trio must navigate their way back to Cairo. The harsh conditions of the desert and von Zimmermann's condition make the journey perilous for all involved.

    Where
    Sahara Desert
  7. Deception and Survival

    As they journey through the desert, the situation becomes increasingly complicated with layers of deception. Each character must confront their own motivations while strategizing to ensure their survival in hostile territory.

    Where
    Sahara Desert
  8. Psychological Gamesmanship

    The dynamic between Morgan, Cove, and von Zimmermann escalates, resulting in psychological gamesmanship. Each character's secrets and past experiences begin to intersect, testing their resolve and loyalties.

  9. Sudden Appearance

    The tension peaks with the unexpected arrival of a German pilot flying a Fokker Dr.1 triplane. This new threat adds urgency to their mission and sparks an intense aerial showdown, heightening the stakes for all involved.

    Where
    Sahara Desert
  10. Aerial Showdown

    In a thrilling confrontation, Morgan, Cove, and von Zimmermann find themselves in an exhilarating dogfight against the German pilot. This showdown tests their skills and resolve, as survival becomes the ultimate goal amidst chaos.

    Where
    Sahara Desert
  11. Unresolved Questions

    After the dust settles from the aerial battle, lingering questions remain about loyalty, redemption, and the future of the characters. The complexities of their relationships hint at potential future challenges and a possible sequel.

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 18:23

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Game of Aces Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Game of Aces (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Jackson Cove grounded from flying?

Jackson Cove was grounded due to his severe alcoholism, which had resulted in a dangerous record of nine aircraft crashes. Despite being a skilled pilot, his drinking problem made him unreliable and unsafe to fly combat missions.

Foreshadowing: Early on, Cove's distraction and shaky hands during the mission hint at his struggle with alcohol.

  • jackson cove
  • grounded
  • alcoholism
  • aircraft crashes
  • pilot
Q2

Why does Jackson Cove want revenge on von Zimmermann?

Von Zimmermann is the German ace who killed Cove's younger brother during a dogfight. This personal loss drives Cove's intense desire for revenge throughout the mission, creating tension with Morgan who wants to bring von Zimmermann in alive.

Foreshadowing: Cove's initial hostility toward the mission and his reluctance to partner with Morgan foreshadow his deeper personal stake.

  • jackson cove
  • revenge
  • von zimmermann
  • brother death
  • dogfight
Q3

Why is von Zimmermann willing to help the British?

Von Zimmermann has undergone a transformation and now wants to provide critical intelligence to the British in exchange for a chance at redemption. His change of heart introduces moral complexity for Morgan and Cove, as they must decide whether to trust the former enemy.

Foreshadowing: Morgan's discovery of von Zimmermann's willingness to cooperate contrasts with his earlier reputation as a ruthless ace.

  • von zimmermann
  • redemption
  • betrayal
  • german intelligence
  • alliance
Q4

What happened to von Zimmermann when they find him?

When Morgan and Cove locate von Zimmermann, they find him gravely injured and suffering from amnesia. This complicates their mission significantly, as they cannot rely on his cooperation or memory to complete the rescue.

Foreshadowing: The earlier mention of von Zimmermann's transformation takes on new meaning when his memory loss is revealed.

  • von zimmermann
  • amnesia
  • injured
  • rescue mission
  • desert
Q5

Who is the German pilot who appears at the end?

The film never identifies the German pilot who arrives in the Fokker Dr.1 triplane. His sudden appearance creates an intense aerial showdown with Cove and raises questions about whether von Zimmermann's former allies have tracked them down or if there's another agenda at play.

Foreshadowing: The ambiguous ending leaves this character's identity unresolved, hinting at potential sequel territory.

  • german pilot
  • fokker dr1
  • triplane
  • dogfight
  • showdown
Q6

Why is Eleanor Morgan chosen for this rescue mission?

Eleanor Morgan is selected because she is a talented English nurse and translator. Her medical skills are essential for treating the injured von Zimmermann, while her language abilities are needed for communication and potential interrogation during the rescue.

Foreshadowing: Morgan's dual role as caregiver and intelligence gatherer sets up the ethical dilemmas she faces.

  • eleanor morgan
  • nurse
  • translator
  • mission
  • british
Q7

Why is the rescue mission so dangerous?

The mission takes place across the vast Sahara Desert in 1918, where the trio must navigate extreme heat, scarce resources, and hostile territory. They face relentless enemy forces, the psychological strain of survival, and the constant threat of pursuit while carrying an amnesiac prisoner.

Foreshadowing: The opening scenes establish the harsh desert environment as an additional character in the story.

  • sahara desert
  • rescue mission
  • 1941
  • danger
  • survival
Q8

Why is von Zimmermann important enough to rescue?

Von Zimmermann is a notorious German pilot known for his remarkable aerial feats, making him a valuable intelligence asset. The British believe he possesses critical information that could impact the war effort, which is why General Rupert Graves III authorizes the risky rescue mission.

Foreshadowing: His reputation as an ace precedes him, establishing why both sides have interest in his fate.

  • von zimmermann
  • german ace
  • pilot
  • intelligence asset
  • valuable

Movie threads

More Movies Like Game of Aces, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about harsh survival missions like Game of Aces

Perilous missions where the landscape itself is a primary antagonist. Explore movies like Game of Aces where heroes undertake dangerous missions in unforgiving settings. These similar war and adventure stories focus on the struggle for survival against nature and enemy forces, featuring tense journeys and atmospheric backdrops. If you liked the desert trek in Game of Aces, you'll find more movies with the same desperate survival vibe.

  • survival
  • dangerous
  • unforgiving
  • atmospheric
  • adventurous
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, desperate, atmospheric
  • Pacing: steady, survival-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically involve a clear objective—rescue, escape, or retrieval—set against an overwhelmingly harsh environment. The plot unfolds as a series of escalating challenges where the characters' ingenuity and resilience are constantly tested. The journey itself, fraught with danger and deprivation, becomes the central transformative experience for the characters.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a focus on the gritty, atmospheric experience of surviving against nature and external threats. They create a specific mood of tension and desperation through their setting, steady pacing that builds dread, and a focus on the raw, practical challenges of staying alive in a hostile world.

Movies with tense wartime alliances like in Game of Aces

Wartime missions where loyalty is tested and alliances are fraught with deception. Find movies similar to Game of Aces that explore complex wartime alliances. These stories feature tense partnerships between soldiers, spies, or unlikely allies, filled with psychological games and moral ambiguity. If you liked the dynamic between the team and the traitor in Game of Aces, discover more films about deception and loyalty in war.

  • psychological
  • tense
  • unlikely alliance
  • deception
  • moral ambiguity
  • war
  • Tone: tense, psychological, ambiguous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a mission that forces antagonistic or distrustful characters into a temporary alliance. The core conflict is as much internal—driven by psychological tension and deception—as it is external. Character arcs often revolve around confronting past trauma, questioning orders, and making sacrifices that challenge their original loyalties, frequently leading to ambiguous resolutions.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the psychological complexity of wartime partnerships. They blend tense, steady pacing with moderate emotional weight, creating a mood of unease and moral uncertainty. The central theme is less about grand battles and more about the personal, psychological toll of conflict and the fragile nature of trust.

If you liked this

Movies Like Game of Aces

Similar movies to Game of Aces: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Game of Aces (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Game of Aces 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app