Get the Girl (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Clarence is an awkward, socially incompetent wealthy man who becomes obsessed with Alex, a bartender who barely notices him. Unable to connect with her through normal means, he believes that staging a dramatic rescue will make her fall in love with him. His plan reveals a deeply manipulative and delusional approach to romance, treating danger as a romantic tool rather than understanding her as a person.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Clarence's inability to communicate normally with Alex, simply watching her from afar and resorting to extreme measures.

• clarence
• fake kidnapping
• obsession
• manipulation
• romantic plan

Patrick is revealed to be Alex's estranged husband, the same husband whose text message she receives in the parking garage before the abduction. He orchestrated the kidnapping for money, planning to claim Alex's inheritance. His smooth-talking persona hides a manipulative con artist who uses both his charm and his marital connection to exploit the situation.

Foreshadowing: Alex receives a text from her 'soon-to-be-ex-husband' just before being abducted, and later recognizes her own wedding ring on Jade's finger.

• patrick
• alex husband
• identity reveal
• marriage
• con artist

The briefcase does not contain money as Clarence claimed. Instead, it holds Alex's divorce papers, the legal documents that would finalize her separation from Patrick. Clarence uses this as leverage, forcing Patrick to sign the papers and release Alex from their marriage legally, turning the entire scheme into an unexpected tool for her liberation.

Foreshadowing: Clarence mentions early on that he knows about Alex's divorce proceedings and her difficult marriage.

• briefcase
• divorce papers
• money twist
• legal documents

Clarence uses the surname 'Duffield' to present himself as part of a prominent wealthy family, enhancing his social standing to impress Alex. In reality, his surname is 'Clark,' as revealed by insurance documents discovered by KJ. This lie about his identity reflects his broader pattern of deception and his desperate attempt to appear worthy of Alex's attention.

Foreshadowing: Clarence drives expensive cars and carries himself with 'old-money confidence,' though the evidence of his rental car and false identity papers eventually surfaces.

• clarence
• duffield
• clark
• false identity
• name lie

Jade's engagement ring is actually Alex's wedding ring, which Patrick presumably gave to Jade as a gift or payment for her involvement in the kidnapping. When Alex sees the ring on Jade's finger, she immediately recognizes it and connects Patrick to her own life, realizing the man orchestrating the abduction is her own husband.

Foreshadowing: Patrick gives Jade an engagement ring to 'soothe her fear' during the cleanup phase, but its significance becomes clear during the confrontation.

• jade
• wedding ring
• alex
• patrick
• recognition

The situation escalates when Alex's repeated escape attempts force the kidnappers to become more violent and paranoid. When a police officer arrives, Patrick shoots him, and the kidnapping shifts from a staged event to an actual crime. From there, the deaths of various participants (the kidnapper Alex kills with scissors, Carl whom Clarence shoots, and others) create a chain reaction that destroys any possibility of maintaining the original ruse.

Foreshadowing: Patrick's increasing price demands ($25,000 to $75,000 to $100,000) signal his growing willingness to exploit the situation dangerously.

• escalation
• violence
• police
• deaths
• plan collapse

Alex shoots Patrick in self-defense during the final standoff when he prepares to fire at her. With the briefcase revealed as containing divorce papers rather than money, Patrick realizes his scheme has failed and becomes violent. Alex acts to protect herself from her abusive, manipulative husband who has just tried to kill her and has been responsible for the entire traumatic night.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Patrick displays violent behavior, shooting the police officer, beating Clarence, and threatening everyone, establishing him as a genuine threat.

• alex
• patrick
• self defense
• shooting
• husband

Clarence asks Alex 'what option three might be' after she rejects his binary choices, either being with him or being alone. This cryptic question hints at a potential future where Alex might choose to pursue a relationship with him despite everything. The ambiguous ending leaves whether Alex will accept this third option uncertain, reflecting the film's unresolved conclusion about whether Clarence's dangerous obsession could transform into genuine connection.

Foreshadowing: The earlier quote 'So you almost killed me to show me that I'm alive?' establishes the film's theme of twisted romantic gestures.

• option three
• ending
• ambiguous
• clarence
• alex relationship

Patrick's motive is financial gain through Alex's inheritance. As her husband (though estranged), he likely has claims to her assets or inheritance. By orchestrating a kidnapping and collecting 'ransom,' Patrick planned to profit from the situation while also controlling his wife. His willingness to harm Alex for money reveals his greedy, exploitative nature.

Foreshadowing: Clarence later reveals he saw Alex and Patrick when their marriage was intact and understood why Patrick would pursue money through Alex's inheritance.

• patrick
• money
• inheritance
• motive
• kidnapping

Clarence shoots Carl to save Alex when Carl becomes violent and starts smothering her during an argument in the house. While Clarence's original plan was staged, this moment forces him into a genuine rescue situation. However, his action draws Patrick's wrath, as it disrupts the controlled kidnapping scenario Patrick had established.

Foreshadowing: Carl reveals his real name to Alex in a moment of tension, humanizing him before the violent confrontation escalates.

• clarence
• carl
• shooting
• rescue
• alex