How to Have Sex (2024) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

After discovering Badger's involvement in a risqué game at the club, Tara feels disillusioned and emotionally vulnerable. Paddy convinces her to join him at the beach under the guise of a romantic evening. Though initially hesitant, Tara succumbs to his advances partly due to her emotional state after seeing Badger in a compromising situation, and partly because she feels pressure to have the experiences her friends are having.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Skye openly mocks Tara's virginity, creating pressure for Tara to prove she's not inexperienced.

• tara
• paddy
• beach
• pressure
• consent

Tara and Paddy go to the beach together after leaving the club. While there, Paddy makes advances on Tara, and she eventually yields to his persuasion despite her reservations. Tara wakes up the next morning feeling uncertain and troubled by what happened, but the exact details of the encounter remain unclear between the lines.

Foreshadowing: Tara's hesitation and reluctance foreshadow her discomfort with the encounter.

• tara
• paddy
• beach
• night
• uncertainty

Paddy initiates sexual acts with Tara while she is still asleep, showing blatant disregard for her consent. This is a clear depiction of sexual assault. Paddy exploits Tara's unconscious state, taking advantage of her vulnerability and inability to give or withhold consent. His actions represent predatory behavior, demonstrating that he views Tara as an object rather than someone whose agency and boundaries matter.

Foreshadowing: Paddy's earlier pushiness when he convinces Tara to go to the beach hints at his lack of respect for her boundaries.

• paddy
• asleep
• assault
• consent
• rape

Tara is deeply disturbed by Paddy's actions but initially struggles to process and articulate what happened. She feels violated but overwhelmed, leading her to distance herself from Paddy when she sees him again. When Paddy approaches her room on the final morning, she rebuffs his advances, reclaiming some agency. However, she doesn't immediately confide in her friends about the assault, carrying the weight of the experience alone until she finally opens up to Em.

Foreshadowing: Tara's growing discomfort and distance from Paddy throughout the trip signal her visceral rejection of what happened.

• tara
• reaction
• trauma
• assault
• violation

Tara doesn't immediately tell anyone about Paddy's assault for several reasons. She feels confused and ashamed about her own choices that led to the situation. Additionally, the toxic friendship dynamic, where Skye gossips experiences, makes about her Tara fear judgment and further rumors. There's also the psychological impact of assault itself, which often leaves victims struggling to process and vocalize what happened. Only after much internal struggle does she finally confide in Em.

Foreshadowing: Skye's gossip about Tara's earlier encounter spreads quickly, showing Tara that her private moments are not safe within the group.

• tara
• silence
• shame
• trust
• friends

Badger witnesses Paddy engaging in sexual acts with the unconscious Tara, and his reaction is one of discomfort and concern for Tara. He is visibly disturbed by what he sees, which contrasts sharply with Paddy's predatory behavior. This moment highlights Badger as someone who genuinely cares for Tara's wellbeing, unlike Paddy who disregarded her completely. Badger's reaction validates Tara's victimhood and foreshadows his role as her eventual confidant.

Foreshadowing: Badger's genuine concern for Tara has been evident since he first tried to help her when she went missing.

• badger
• paddy
• reaction
• witness
• conscience

At the airport trip the, with ending and Skye pushing Tara about her encounters with Paddy, Tara reaches her breaking point. She pulls Em aside and confides that Paddy took advantage of her while she was asleep. This moment requires immense courage. Em's response is immediate validation, she tells Tara that what happened was definitely not fine, affirming that Tara was assaulted and not at fault.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the trip, Em has shown more genuine concern for Tara than Skye, making her the safe person Tara ultimately chooses to tell.

• tara
• em
• confide
• assault
• validation

The ending offers a bittersweet but hopeful resolution. While Tara has experienced trauma and the violation of her consent, she finds a crucial form of support in Em. When Tara confides in Em and receives validation, that what happened was not fine, it marks the beginning of her healing process. Em's promise to face their worries together signifies solidarity and suggests they will navigate the aftermath as true friends. The ending isn't triumphant but rather represents the first step toward recovery through honest communication.

Foreshadowing: Em has been the only friend who truly listened and worried about Tara throughout the trip, making her the natural source of support.

• ending
• friendship
• em
• tara
• healing
• support

Skye gossips about Tara's encounters, spreading information about what happened at the beach and beyond. This reflects her superficial engagement with the group's dynamics, she treats Tara's experiences as gossip material rather than respecting her privacy or emotional state. Skye's behavior contributes to Tara's isolation and fear of judgment, making it harder for Tara to open up about the assault. Her actions represent the toxic, unsupportive friendship dynamic that compounds Tara's trauma.

Foreshadowing: Skye's snide remarks about Tara's virginity early in the trip establish her as someone who judges and trivializes Tara's experiences.

• skye
• gossip
• rumors
• friends
• betrayal

Tara feels intense pressure to keep pace with her more experienced friends, particularly Em who is actively seeking adventure, and Skye who openly mocks Tara's virginity. The holiday setting amplifies this pressure, it's framed as a rite-of-passage where sexual experience equals adulthood and social acceptance. Tara's anxiety stems from feeling left behind and inadequate compared to her friends, making her vulnerable to decisions she might not otherwise make.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening establishes Tara as someone comparing herself to her friends' adventurous romps.

• tara
• pressure
• virginity
• friends
• self-esteem

Tara is immediately captivated by Badger's warm smile and charming demeanor when she meets him on the hotel balcony. His genuine care and attention make him stand out from the chaotic party environment. Badger appears to genuinely care for Tara's wellbeing, which is appealing to her amid the overwhelming pressure she feels from her friends. However, her attraction is complicated when she discovers his involvement in the risqué game at the club, shattering her idealized image of him.

Foreshadowing: Badger is introduced as a contrast to the other boys, seemingly more sincere and attentive.

• tara
• badger
• attraction
• charm
• connection