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Hickey (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Hickey (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 85 min · English
Directed by
Alex Grossman

Troy Doherty plays a lovable underdog who finds himself in a frantic race against time. He must pull off an extraordinary feat within 24 hours to save the struggling store where he works and, hopefully, win the girl he's been pining for. It's a comedic story about perseverance and taking a chance on what you want most.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Hickey (2017)

Where can you watch Hickey? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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12 events in order · contains spoilers

Hickey Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Hickey (2017) 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. Summer crush at the store

    Ryan Chess spends the summer pining for his coworker Carly Alvarez, despite being good at math and terrible with girls. He watches Carly from afar and dreams of asking her out, hoping for a chance to change their relationship.

    When
    Summer
    Where
    Local department store

  2. Store closing and Carly's move

    Just as the season ends, Ryan learns the store will close at the end of the day and Carly will move away to MIT. The news heightens the stakes and pushes him to act fast to win her before she leaves.

    When
    End of day
    Where
    The store

  3. A plan to save the store

    Determined to rescue the store, Ryan hatches a bold plan to turn the day around and prove he has what it takes. He enlists his best friend Jeremy and coworkers Ellen and Gary to help execute the plan before closing time.

    When
    Afternoon
    Where
    Store

  4. Arrival of the regional manager

    The handsome regional manager Brady arrives and says he is there to roll up his sleeves and pitch in. Ryan warns that Brady may have ulterior motives beyond a simple sale, and the tension in the store spikes.

    When
    Afternoon
    Where
    Store entrance

  5. Old flames and new distrust

    Ryan learns that Carly and Brady were once romantically involved, deepening his doubt and complicating his plan. The information fuels his decision to out Brady later while trying to save the day.

    When
    Afternoon
    Where
    Store office

  6. Assembling the team

    Ryan reassembles his unlikely alliance with Jeremy, Ellen, and Gary, coordinating their efforts to turn the store situation around. They divide tasks and push through a last minute push to attract customers and secure the sale.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Store back room

  7. Brady throws a wrench in the plan

    Brady uses the situation to his advantage, presenting obstacles that threaten to derail the plan. The team must improvise as the sales pressure and Brady's influence grow stronger on the floor.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Sales floor

  8. Carly begins to see Ryan differently

    As Ryan stays focused and strategic, Carly starts to recognize his intelligence and good heart. The day pushes them closer than simple workplace acquaintance, even before the closing moment.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Store

  9. The villain is exposed

    In a critical turn, Ryan unmasks Brady as the villain behind the apparent sales pursuit. The exposure shifts the balance, and Ryan gains confidence in his own abilities.

    When
    Closing moments
    Where
    Store

  10. Store saved at the last moment

    Leveraging his big brain, Ryan secures a surprising victory that saves the store from a bleak future. The crowd on the floor reacts as the plan comes together just in time.

    When
    End of day
    Where
    Store

  11. Carly sees him as more than a friend

    With the crisis averted, Carly finally sees Ryan for who he truly is and falls in love with him. The tension dissolves as she admits her feelings.

    When
    After closing
    Where
    Store vicinity

  12. A new beginning

    Ryan and Carly begin a relationship as the dust settles, and the store has survived thanks to Ryan's plan and perseverance. The end of the day marks a hopeful new chapter for them both.

    When
    After day
    Where
    Store entrance/outside

Last updated: February 24, 2026 at 14:20

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Timeline questions answered

Hickey Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Hickey (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Ryan decide to save the store?

Ryan decides to save the store because it's closing at the end of the day and his coworker Carly is moving away to MIT. He has feelings for her and sees this as his last chance to win her over before she leaves. The closing creates urgency for both his professional situation and his romantic hopes.

  • ryan
  • store closing
  • carly
  • mit
  • romance
Q2

Why does Ryan think Brady has ulterior motives?

Ryan becomes suspicious of Brady because the regional manager arrives unexpectedly during a crisis, claims he's there to help, but Ryan senses something doesn't add up. Ryan is intelligent and notices inconsistencies in Brady's behavior, suspecting he's not genuinely trying to save the store.

Foreshadowing: Ryan warns early on that Brady may have motives beyond a simple sale.

  • brady
  • regional manager
  • suspicion
  • store crisis
Q3

What is the revelation about Carly and Brady's past?

Ryan discovers that Carly and Brady were once romantically involved. This revelation complicates Ryan's plan because he worries Carly might still have feelings for Brady, and it also strengthens Ryan's suspicion that Brady's presence isn't purely helpful.

  • carly
  • brady
  • relationship past
  • romance
Q4

How does Ryan manage to save the store?

Ryan uses his mathematical brilliance to organize a last-minute sales push. He enlists his best friend Jeremy and coworkers Ellen and Gary to help execute his plan. They work together through the day, pulling off clever sales strategies and turning the situation around before closing time.

  • ryan
  • save store
  • plan
  • jobs
  • ellen
  • gary
  • jeremy
Q5

Why does Carly fall in love with Ryan?

Carly falls in love with Ryan because she finally sees his true character during the crisis. His intelligence, courage, and determination to act when it matters demonstrate his depth beyond being just a socially awkward coworker. She recognizes he is capable and earnest.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the day, Carly begins to see Ryan differently as he stays focused and strategic.

  • carly
  • ryan
  • love
  • romance
  • character
Q6

What is Brady's scheme in the movie?

Brady is revealed to be a manipulator whose true intentions are not genuinely helping the store. While he presents himself as a helpful regional manager, Ryan uncovers that Brady is using the situation to his own advantage. The exact nature of his scheme is exposed during the confrontation.

Foreshadowing: Ryan pieces together clues about Brady's intentions throughout the day.

  • brady
  • villain
  • scheme
  • exposed
Q7

Why is the 24-hour deadline so important in Hickey?

The deadline matters because the store will close at the end of that day, and Carly is leaving for MIT immediately after. This creates a ticking clock that forces Ryan to act quickly or lose both his job and any chance at romance with Carly.

  • deadline
  • 24 hours
  • store closing
  • mit
Q8

What makes Ryan an underdog in the story?

Ryan is an underdog because he is brilliant with numbers but socially awkward, especially when it comes to dating. He has been pining for Carly all summer without the confidence to ask her out. The story follows him as he overcomes his social limitations to take action and prove himself.

  • ryan
  • underdog
  • math
  • socially awkward
Q9

What role do Ryan's friends play in saving the store?

Ryan's friends are crucial to the plan's success. His best friend Jeremy and coworkers Ellen and Gary form a team that helps execute his strategy. They divide tasks, work together on the sales floor, and provide support when Brady throws obstacles their way.

  • jeremy
  • ellen
  • gary
  • team
  • store sales
Q10

Does Ryan get the girl at the end of Hickey?

Yes, Ryan gets the girl at the end. After exposing Brady's scheme and saving the store, Carly finally sees Ryan for who he truly is, intelligent, brave, and genuine. She falls in love with him and they begin a relationship, marking a hopeful new chapter for both.

  • ending
  • happy ending
  • ryan
  • carly
  • relationship

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hickey, by Mood & Story

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

Frantic Race Against Time Comedies like Hickey

Characters face a frantic, time-sensitive mission to achieve their most important goal. If you enjoyed the high-energy 24-hour scramble in Hickey, you'll love these other movies. This list features comedies and lighthearted stories where characters are in a frantic race against the clock to save the day, win the girl, or achieve a personal goal.

  • frantic
  • urgent
  • time pressure
  • high-energy
  • suspenseful
  • comedic
  • Tone: frantic, hopeful, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread unfold under the pressure of a strict deadline. The narrative is driven by a series of escalating obstacles and frantic attempts to overcome them, keeping the pace fast and the stakes feeling immediate and personal.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core structure defined by a time-sensitive mission. They create a specific blend of comedy and tension, driven by fast pacing and a clear, urgent goal that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

Hickey movie poster

Hickey

2017
Hero Mode movie poster

Hero Mode

2021
Rally Road Racers movie poster

Rally Road Racers

2023
Work It movie poster

Work It

2020
Grand Prix of Europe movie poster

Grand Prix of Europe

2025
Heaven Can Wait movie poster

Heaven Can Wait

1978
Starstruck movie poster

Starstruck

1982
Man Up movie poster

Man Up

2015

Charming Underdog Stories like Hickey

Endearing characters overcome self-doubt and obstacles to achieve an improbable win. Love rooting for the underdog? If you liked the charming and determined hero in Hickey, explore these movies about lovable characters proving their worth. Find similar coming-of-age tales and comedic stories of personal growth and unlikely success.

  • underdog
  • hopeful
  • uplifting
  • youthful
  • coming of age
  • personal growth
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a character who starts from a position of perceived inadequacy. Through a series of comedic and heartfelt events, they must overcome external challenges and internal insecurities to achieve a goal that validates their worth, often leading to both professional and romantic success.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their focus on the underdog arc. They share a hopeful tone and light emotional weight, blending comedy with themes of personal growth, friendship, and the triumph of perseverance, creating a consistently uplifting and satisfying experience.

Bring It On: All or Nothing movie poster

Bring It On: All or Nothing

2006
Little Giants movie poster

Little Giants

1994
16-love movie poster

16-love

2012
Fired Up! movie poster

Fired Up!

2017
The Gutter movie poster

The Gutter

2024
Cadet Kelly movie poster

Cadet Kelly

2002
Necessary Roughness movie poster

Necessary Roughness

1991
What a Life movie poster

What a Life

1939

Every angle

Hickey (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hickey 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.

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