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Timeline

Horses of God (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 115 min · Arabic
JustWatch #29,157 1
Directed by
Nabil Ayouch

Set in the deprived Sidi Moumen slum, the film follows two young brothers struggling to find their place. Hamid's circumstances lead him toward a dangerous path, and imprisonment marks the beginning of his radicalization into Islamic fundamentalism. After his release, he enlists his friend Yachine and others, following the guidance of Imam Abou Zoubeir as they pursue a violent cause.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Horses of God
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Horses of God (2014)

Where can you watch Horses of God? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kino Film Collection, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

Horses of God Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Horses of God (2014) 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. Introduction to Characters

    In 1994, we meet *Yachine*, also known as Tarek, and his aggressive older brother *Hamid* in the shanty town of *Sidi Moumen* near *Casablanca*. They are joined by friends *Nabil*, who has a troubled family background, *Fouad*, a pot smoker, and *Khalil*. Together, they navigate their harsh realities of life in extreme poverty.

    When
    1994
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  2. Hamid's Descent into Crime

    As they grow older, *Hamid* turns to crime to support his family, becoming a drug mule. His criminal activities highlight the desperation of their living conditions and foreshadow the dangerous path that he and his friends will follow. This ultimately sets the tone for the darker elements of their story.

    When
    1994
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  3. The Tragic Incident

    In a pivotal scene, the boys steal alcohol from *Khalil*'s father's wedding. This youthful rebellion leads to a tragic confrontation where *Hamid* violently attacks a drunken *Nabil*, showcasing the deep-seated issues of aggression and despair among them. This moment exacerbates the boys' troubled lives.

    When
    1994
    Where
    Khalil's father's wedding
  4. Shanty Town Expansion and Hamid's Drug Empire

    By 1999, *Sidi Moumen* has expanded significantly coinciding with the death of *Hassan II* of Morocco. During this period, *Hamid* rises as a drug dealer, while the boys remain entrenched in boredom and despair. Meanwhile, *Yachine* develops feelings for *Fouad*'s sister, *Ghislaine*, adding a layer of complexity to their lives.

    When
    1999
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  5. Hamid's Imprisonment

    *Hamid* faces legal trouble after throwing a rock at a corrupt policeman, *Pitbull*, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. This forces *Yachine* to navigate life without his older brother's influence. The political unrest in the area further complicates their lives, especially for those like *Tamou*.

    When
    1999
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  6. Transformation After September 11

    Following the September 11 attacks, *Hamid* renounces drugs and embraces radical Islam upon his release from prison. His drastic transformation serves as a critical turning point for him and *Yachine*, reflecting the broader societal shifts at this time. They find themselves drawn into a dangerous new ideology.

    When
    Post-2001
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  7. Yachine's Guilt and Escalation

    In a tragic twist, *Yachine* kills *Ba'Moussa* after the latter attempts to assault *Nabil*. Struggling with immense guilt, *Yachine* confides in *Nabil* while being increasingly influenced by *Abou Zoubeir*, leading him further down the path of radicalization. The dark reality of their choices begins to unfold.

    When
    Post-2001
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  8. Indoctrination into Radicalism

    Under the guidance of *Abou Zoubeir*, *Yachine* and *Nabil* become deeply indoctrinated into extremist ideologies alongside *Khalil* and *Fouad*. This transformation sees them training in jujutsu and embracing a violent belief system. The ideological fervor intensifies as they bond through their shared convictions.

    When
    Post-2001
    Where
    Islamic compound, Sidi Moumen
  9. Embracing Martyrdom

    By November 2002, *Tarek* and his friends have fully embraced their radical beliefs. They are welcomed into the inner circle of a militant group, causing tension with *Hamid*. This pivotal shift marks them as willing participants in a dangerous plot, with the painful reminder of *Ghislaine* haunting *Tarek*.

    When
    November 2002
  10. The Call to Violence

    In February 2003, law enforcement disrupts a radical gathering, increasing tensions within the group. Their leaders emphasize martyrdom, compelling the young men to abandon their fears of death for a higher cause. This galvanizes their resolve and propels them closer to carrying out their violent intentions.

    When
    February 2003
  11. Building Up to the Attack

    As May 2003 approaches, anticipation builds for their planned attack, leading to growing anxiety among the group. After a close call with police, the attack is postponed, yet their hunger for violence only escalates. This moment reflects their mental struggles and the looming threat to innocents in *Casablanca*.

    When
    May 2003
    Where
    Near Casablanca
  12. Final Preparations

    On May 15, the group returns to *Sidi Moumen* to finalize preparations for their impending attack. *Tarek* faces internal conflict as *Hamid* desperately tries to dissuade him from going through with their violent plans. This tension builds the emotional stakes leading into the final act.

    When
    May 15, 2003
    Where
    Sidi Moumen
  13. The Horrific Act

    On May 16, *Tarek*, *Nabil*, and *Fouad* carry out their plan amidst the lively streets of *Casablanca*. *Fouad*, paralyzed by fear, abandons the mission, leaving *Tarek* and *Nabil* to proceed alone. The screen fades to black as the tragic consequences of their actions unfold, leaving an indelible mark on their community.

    When
    May 16, 2003
    Where
    Casa de España, Casablanca
  14. Aftermath and Reflection

    In the haunting conclusion, children in *Sidi Moumen* play football while distant explosions reverberate through the city. The end credits note the **2003 Casablanca bombings**, recounting the tragic events and revealing the devastating impact of radicalization on young lives caught in the turmoil of their environment.

    Where
    Sidi Moumen

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:51

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Timeline questions answered

Horses of God Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Horses of God (2014): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Hamid become radicalized after leaving prison?

After his two-year prison sentence, Hamid emerges a changed man. Following the September 11 attacks, he renounces drug dealing and embraces radical Islam instead. This transformation reflects how the post-9/11 political climate and his time in prison exposed him to extremist ideologies, providing him with a new belief system that replaces his criminal past with religious conviction.

  • hamid
  • radicalization
  • prison
  • islam
  • september 11
Q2

Why does Yachine kill Ba'Moussa?

Yachine kills Ba'Moussa after the repairman attempts to sexually assault his friend Nabil. When Ba'Moussa attacks Nabil, Yachine intervenes and kills him in what starts as an act of protection. This murder becomes pivotal because the guilt from this crime drives Yachine toward Abou Zoubeir's extremist teachings, as he seeks forgiveness for his violent act.

  • yachine
  • ba'moussa
  • murder
  • nabil
  • assault
Q3

How does Abou Zoubeir influence Yachine and the others?

Abou Zoubeir operates from an Islamic compound in Sidi Moumen where he indoctrinates vulnerable young men into radical Islamic beliefs. He preaches that violent martyrdom offers forgiveness and paradise, using Yachine's guilt over Ba'Moussa's murder as psychological leverage. His teachings emphasize abandoning fear of death and becoming "horses of God" destined for martyrdom.

  • abou zoubeir
  • indoctrination
  • radicalism
  • yachine
  • brainwashing
Q4

Why does Fouad leave before the bombing?

Fouad abandons the mission at the last moment, choosing flight over fate. Despite being fully indoctrinated and having gone through all the preparations, he cannot go through with the suicide attack. This leaves Tarek and Nabil to carry out the bombing alone at Casa de España, highlighting how even those deeply radicalized can falter at the final moment.

  • fouad
  • flee
  • bombing
  • cowardice
  • casa de españa
Q5

Why is Hamid jealous of Tarek joining the martyr group?

Hamid becomes envious when his younger brother Tarek is welcomed into the inner circle of the radical cell. Despite being the one who introduced Tarek to the mosque and radical Islam, Hamid finds himself excluded from the group's core. This jealousy intensifies as Tarek embraces martyrdom more fully, creating bitter tension between the brothers in their final days.

  • hamid
  • tarek
  • jealousy
  • martyrdom
  • brotherhood
Q6

Why was the Casablanca bombing postponed?

The attack was postponed from May 9 to May 16 because police closed in on Abou Zoubeir, forcing him to panic and flee. This near-discovery created panic within the cell, but rather than abandoning their plan, they simply delayed the execution. The postponed date coincides with the actual 2003 Casablanca bombings that occurred on May 16.

  • postponed
  • may 16
  • police
  • casa de españa
  • bombing
Q7

What does the title Horses of God mean?

The title refers to a speech given by the emir who tells the young men they are "horses of God" destined to fly to paradise as martyrs. This metaphorical language frames suicide bombing as a sacred duty, promising divine reward. The title encapsulates how extremist recruiters use religious symbolism to manipulate vulnerable youth into believing their violent sacrifice is noble and ordained.

  • horses of god
  • title
  • martyrdom
  • paradise
  • symbolism
Q8

Why does Nabil reject his mother Tamou's outreach?

Nabil rejects Tamou's attempts to reconnect despite her gifts and advances. Tamou, the local prostitute and singer who was driven out by religious zealots, represents his shameful past. Under the influence of radical ideology, Nabil views her as impure and incompatible with his new identity, choosing ideological purity over family connection.

  • nabil
  • tamou
  • mother
  • rejection
  • prostitute
Q9

What causes Yachine's transformation into Tarek?

Yachine's transformation results from multiple factors converging: guilt over killing Ba'Moussa, his brother's radical influence after prison, and Abou Zoubeir's teachings promising redemption. The murder creates psychological vulnerability that extremist ideology exploits, while poverty and lack of opportunity make the promised brotherhood and purpose attractive. He legally changes his name to Tarek, symbolizing his complete break from his former self.

  • yachine
  • tarek
  • transformation
  • radicalization
  • guilt
Q10

What is the significance of Tarek's dream about Ghislaine?

Before the attack, Tarek dreams that after becoming a martyr, Ghislaine will remember him fondly. This dream reveals his lingering emotional attachment to Ghislaine despite knowing she is marrying someone else. It also shows how radicalization mixes with personal desires, the promise of martyrdom offers not just divine reward but eternal significance in the eyes of those he loved.

  • tarek
  • ghislaine
  • dream
  • love
  • martyrdom
Q11

Why does Hamid attack Nabil at Khalil's father's wedding?

During a moment of youthful rebellion, the boys steal alcohol from Khalil's father's wedding. When Nabil becomes drunk and disorderly, Hamid violently assaults him in front of the others. This incident showcases Hamid's aggression and foreshadows the violence he will later embrace, while also highlighting the turbulent dynamics among the group of friends.

  • hamid
  • nabil
  • wedding
  • assault
  • violence
Q12

What is the significance of Hamid's relationship with Pitbull?

Pitbull is a corrupt policeman that Hamid keeps "in his pocket" as a drug dealer. This relationship demonstrates how poverty and crime create symbiotic corruption in the slum. When Hamid throws a rock at Pitbull's car, he faces a two-year prison sentence, a turning point that removes him from the drug trade and sets the stage for his later radicalization.

  • pitbull
  • corruption
  • police
  • hamid
  • drug dealer
Q13

Why do children play football at the end during the explosions?

The ending shows children in Sidi Moumen playing football at night, pausing to hear distant explosions. This haunting image illustrates how violence and terrorism have become normalized in their environment. The children continue playing despite the tragedy, suggesting the cycle of radicalization will likely claim future generations from this community.

  • children
  • football
  • ending
  • explosions
  • cycle

Movie threads

More Movies Like Horses of God, by Mood & Story

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

Bleak Descents into Radicalization like in Horses of God

Movies that trace the grim, heartbreaking path from desperation to violent extremism. Find movies like Horses of God that explore the dark journey of radicalization. These similar drama stories focus on characters pushed to extremes by poverty, ideology, and despair, offering a heavy, tragic viewing experience for those interested in intense social realism.

  • tragic
  • desperate
  • somber
  • oppressive
  • anxious
  • gritty
  • Tone: dark, tragic, desperate
  • Pacing: steady, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often follow a linear but emotionally escalating path, showing how vulnerable individuals are groomed and transformed. The journey typically moves from a state of hardship or searching to indoctrination, culminating in a tragic, violent act that seals their fate.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the process of radicalization, their dark and oppressive tone, and their heavy emotional weight. They create a coherent experience of witnessing a personal and societal tragedy unfold.

Gritty Social Realism movies like Horses of God

Unflinching portraits of life in impoverished, oppressive environments with little hope. Discover films similar to Horses of God that deliver a gritty, realistic look at life in slums and deprived communities. If you liked the authentic portrayal of poverty and social decay, these movies offer similarly heavy, somber, and impactful drama stories.

  • gritty
  • oppressive
  • somber
  • desperate
  • anxious
  • tragic
  • Tone: dark, somber, gritty
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread are often episodic or linear explorations of life within a specific, decaying setting. The plot is driven by the environment itself, as characters navigate systemic obstacles, crime, and moral compromises, with narratives that feel grounded and unforgiving.

Why they belong together: These films share a commitment to authenticity, a gritty visual style, and an oppressive mood born from their settings. They are united by their focus on poverty, social decay, and the heavy emotional impact of witnessing lives constrained by circumstance.

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Every angle

Horses of God (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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