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Kiss and Cry (2017) movie poster

Timeline

Kiss and Cry (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 95 mins · English
Directed by
Sean Cisterna
Starring
Sergio Di Zio, Naomi Snieckus, Luke Bilyk, Sarah Fisher, Denis Akiyama, Zoë Belkin

This romantic drama tells the story of Carley Allison, an 18-year-old figure skater and singer whose life takes an unexpected turn. She faces a rare and challenging medical journey when diagnosed with a sarcoma, a condition with odds of just 1 in 3.5 billion. The film explores her fight and the impact it has on her dreams and relationships.

Drama Romance Music Cast, crew & box office
On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (13)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

13 events in order · contains spoilers

Kiss and Cry Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Kiss and Cry (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. Carley is a rising figure skater in Toronto

    Carley Elle Allison is a 17-year-old competitive figure skater in Toronto, known for her motto always smile and her rising momentum toward Canada's national team. She balances skating, singing, and a close circle of family and friends who support her ambitions.

    Where
    Toronto, Canada

  2. John enters her life at a party

    At a party, Carley meets John, a kind classmate from biology. Their connection marks the beginning of a hopeful romance despite the busy schedule.

    Where
    Toronto, Canada

  3. Sudden illness and initial asthma scare

    Carley begins to feel sick with severe breathlessness that is initially attributed to asthma. Her symptoms escalate, prompting medical tests rather than a quick diagnosis.

    Where
    Toronto, Canada

  4. Hospital discovery of a rare tumor

    After a collapse on a date, Carley is hospitalized where doctors discover a rare cancerous tumor outside her trachea. The diagnosis shifts the fight from routine skater to patient seeking life-saving treatment.

    Where
    Hospital in Toronto

  5. Tracheal surgery and chemotherapy begin

    Carley undergoes tracheal surgery followed by weeks of chemotherapy. The procedures mark the start of a grueling medical battle but she maintains determination.

    Where
    Hospital in Toronto

  6. Hair loss and steadfast support

    During treatment, Carley loses a lock of hair and faces harsher days with honesty and humor. John stays by her side, promising to stay positive and expressing his love.

    Where
    Carley's home, Toronto

  7. Vlog about being bald and prom invitation

    Carley records a vlog announcing she is bald and documents her ongoing struggle. John arrives with a drum set and asks her to the prom, a gesture that brings joy despite the illness.

    Where
    Carley's home

  8. Return to school and public support

    Back at school, Carley is greeted by messages of love and encouragement from friends and classmates. She also participates in community events to raise awareness for cancer research.

    Where
    Carley's school in Toronto

  9. Haircuts for Cancer and TV interview

    Carley participates in a fundraising event called Haircuts for Cancer to support research funding. She gives a televised interview where she describes treating cancer like a contact sport, preferring to keep moving.

    Where
    Local community center and TV studio

  10. Prom night and first kiss

    Carley and John attend the prom together and share an intimate moment that cements their bond. The night becomes a symbol of hope amid adversity.

    Where
    Prom venue, Toronto

  11. Return to skating and national stage

    Months later, Carley returns to skating and is invited to sing O Canada to open a televised NHL game. This moment marks a public recognition of her resilience.

    Where
    NHL arena

  12. Relapse and final days

    Carley is diagnosed with an extremely rare clear cell sarcoma in her lungs several months after her remission. John and Carley reaffirm their love before she passes away at 19, ending the race with courage.

    Where
    Hospital in Toronto

  13. Legacy: Carley's Angels Foundation

    Carley's Angels Foundation is created in her honor to help with high medical costs and support families facing cancer.

    Where
    Foundation launched in Toronto

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:53

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Timeline questions answered

Kiss and Cry Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why was Carley's breathing problem initially diagnosed as asthma?

Carley's severe breathlessness was initially attributed to asthma because the symptoms, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, can mirror common respiratory conditions. An inhaler was prescribed, but when it failed to help, doctors conducted more thorough medical tests that eventually revealed the true cause: a rare cancerous tumor pressing against her trachea.

  • carley allison
  • asthma misdiagnosis
  • cancer symptoms
  • trachea tumor
Q2

How did Carley react to learning she had cancer?

Carley responded to her diagnosis with remarkable resilience and optimism. Despite the devastating news of a rare cancerous tumor outside her trachea with astronomical odds against survival, she maintained her characteristic positive mindset. She underwent tracheal surgery and weeks of chemotherapy while keeping her spirit strong, often balancing gravity with humor and referring to her illness as "this little setback in my life."

  • carley allison
  • cancer diagnosis
  • resilience
  • optimism
  • treatment
Q3

What made Carley's type of cancer so rare?

Carley was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. The description notes the odds were just 1 in 3.5 billion. Initially, doctors found a melanoma outside her trachea, which is already unusual. Later, after what appeared to be remission, she was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in her lungs, an exceptionally rare cancer that contributed to her passing at age 19.

  • clear cell sarcoma
  • rare cancer
  • melanoma
  • carley allison
  • 1 in 3.5 billion
Q4

Why did Carley decide to film a bald vlog during treatment?

Carley created a bald vlog to document her cancer journey openly and honestly. After losing a lock of hair during chemotherapy, a poignant reminder of what she was enduring, she chose to share her experience publicly. The vlog became a way to raise awareness about her condition while maintaining her signature honesty and humor about the physical changes brought on by treatment.

  • bald vlog
  • hair loss
  • chemotherapy
  • carley allison
  • cancer journey
Q5

What was the significance of Carley singing "O Canada" at the NHL game?

Carley performing "O Canada" to open a televised NHL game marked a major public recognition of her resilience and talent. After months of treatment and remission, this performance represented her return to the spotlight and symbolized her strength in overcoming illness. It was a crowning moment where her dual talents as both skater and singer were showcased on a national stage.

  • o canada
  • nhl game
  • carley allison
  • singing
  • national anthem
  • public performance
Q6

How did Carley's illness impact her relationship with John?

Carley's illness deepened her relationship with John significantly. When she collapsed on a date, John stood by her throughout the entire journey, staying over to cook and support her at home, declaring his love, surprising her with a prom invitation, and helping her return to skating. Their bond intensified through the hardships, and they shared their first intimate moment at prom. Even when she faced relapse, they reaffirmed their love.

  • john servinis
  • carley allison
  • boyfriend
  • relationship
  • prom
  • support
Q7

What happened after Carley's cancer went into remission?

After doctors announced the tumor had been removed and Carley experienced remission, she returned to skating and performed publicly, including singing at the NHL game. Her hair grew back, and she enjoyed months of relative normalcy. However, hope was shadowed when she was rediagnosed with an extremely rare clear cell sarcoma in her lungs. Despite this devastating news, she and John reaffirmed their love before she succumbed to the disease later that year at age 19.

  • remission
  • relapse
  • clear cell sarcoma
  • carley allison
  • lungs
  • return to skating
Q8

What is Carley's Angels Foundation?

Carley's Angels Foundation was established after Carley's passing to honor her legacy. The foundation helps cover the high medical costs associated with cancer treatment for families facing similar battles. It ensures that Carley's spirit of resilience and generosity continues to inspire others while providing practical support to those navigating the financial burdens of serious illness.

  • carleys angels foundation
  • legacy
  • medical costs
  • charity
  • cancer support
Q9

Why did Carley choose to stay optimistic despite her terminal diagnosis?

Carley maintained unwavering optimism throughout her illness because it was fundamental to her character. She lived by the motto "always smile" or "find a reason to be happy," which shaped her entire outlook. She described treating cancer like a contact sport, staying proactive and moving forward rather than letting the illness define her. Her family supported this mindset, turning moments of fear into opportunities for connection and warmth.

  • carley allison
  • optimism
  • positive attitude
  • terminal diagnosis
  • always smile motto
Q10

How old was Carley when she passed away?

Carley Allison was 19 years old when she passed away. She was diagnosed at 17 after collapsing on a date with John, and despite treatment including surgery and chemotherapy that initially led to remission, she succumbed to a rare form of cancer several months after her remission was announced.

  • age at death
  • carley allison
  • 19 years old
  • passing
  • terminal illness

Movie threads

More Movies Like Kiss and Cry, by Mood & Story

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

Inspirational Journeys Through Illness and Recovery like Kiss and Cry

Stories of resilience and love in the face of life-altering medical diagnoses. If you were moved by the hopeful spirit and resilience in Kiss and Cry, you'll find similar emotional journeys in this collection. These movies explore the impact of serious illness on young lives, emphasizing family bonds, young love, and the inspirational fight to maintain hope and build a lasting legacy.

  • inspirational
  • heartwarming
  • tragic
  • resilient
  • emotional
  • supportive
  • Tone: hopeful, emotional, inspiring
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear progression from diagnosis to treatment and its aftermath, centering on a protagonist whose inner strength is tested. The conflict is often internal—the battle against despair—as much as it is physical. Support systems like family and romance play a crucial role, and the story ultimately focuses on the legacy of a life lived fully, regardless of the outcome.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the inspirational aspects of a medical crisis. They balance heavy emotional themes with an uplifting, hopeful tone, creating a viewing experience that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. The pacing is steady and character-driven, allowing the audience to fully connect with the protagonist's journey.

Kiss and Cry movie poster

Kiss and Cry

2017
Ek Thi Marium movie poster

Ek Thi Marium

2016

Bittersweet Tragedies with a Hopeful Heart like Kiss and Cry

Emotional stories where profound loss is balanced by an enduring sense of hope. For viewers who appreciated how Kiss and Cry balanced a sad ending with an inspirational message, this group features similar movies. Discover other stories where characters face tragic circumstances, but the films ultimately focus on love, legacy, and the hopeful light that persists, offering a deeply moving yet uplifting experience.

  • bittersweet
  • tragic
  • hopeful
  • inspirational
  • emotional
  • heartbreaking
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet, tragic
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist whose life is cut short or fundamentally altered by a tragic event, often an illness. The story spends significant time showcasing their vibrant life, dreams, and relationships. The climax is the acceptance of the tragedy, but the resolution focuses on the positive ripple effects—the memories, the lessons, or the foundations left behind—that transform grief into a source of inspiration.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their unique emotional blend: they are unafraid to explore deep sadness but are ultimately defined by a hopeful, life-affirming core. The tone prevents the story from feeling bleak, and the pacing allows for a thoughtful, emotionally resonant journey that honors the pain while celebrating the spirit.

Kiss and Cry movie poster

Kiss and Cry

2017
Ek Thi Marium movie poster

Ek Thi Marium

2016

Every angle

Kiss and Cry (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Kiss and Cry 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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