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Timeline

Lawless (2012) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2012 · 116 min · English
JustWatch #2,498 29
Directed by
John Hillcoat
Starring
Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Tom Hardy

During Prohibition, in a rural Virginia, the Bondurant brothers run a successful moonshining business. As their operation grows, they attract the attention of corrupt law enforcement officials and rival gangsters, leading to violent clashes and dangerous alliances. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and the fight for survival in a lawless landscape, inspired by a remarkable true story.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Lawless
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Lawless (2012)

Where can you watch Lawless? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fawesome, Kanopy and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Lawless Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Lawless (2012) 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. The Bondurant Brothers Begin Bootlegging

    During the Prohibition era, the Bondurant brothers – Forrest, Howard, and Jack – establish a successful liquor bootlegging operation in Franklin County, Virginia. They cleverly use their bar as a front to camouflage their illegal activities, allowing them to thrive amidst the legal crackdown.

    Where
    Franklin County, Virginia
  2. Jack Witnesses Violence

    Jack Bondurant witnesses a harrowing event where mobster Floyd Banner eliminates a rival in a chilling display of power. This incident serves as a warning that the world of bootlegging is fraught with danger and imminent complications lurk around every corner.

  3. Maggie Beauford Joins the Team

    Forrest Bondurant recruits Maggie Beauford, a captivating dancer from Chicago, to be their new waitress. Her arrival brings a fresh dynamic to their operation, and the brothers begin to form deeper connections with her.

  4. Confrontation with Special Agent Rakes

    Their burgeoning operation catches the attention of Special Agent Charlie Rakes, who arrives with an ultimatum from District Attorney Mason Wardell. Forrest brazenly confronts Rakes, vowing never to give in to threats, which sets off a series of confrontations.

  5. Jack's Romantic Pursuit

    Amidst the turmoil of bootlegging, Jack becomes romantically interested in Bertha Minnix, the local preacher's daughter. In an attempt to impress her, he embarrassingly draws attention to himself during church, ultimately piquing her curiosity.

  6. Violent Intimidation

    As tension escalates, Rakes initiates a violent campaign against the Bondurants, including a brutal raid on Cricket Pate's home, their loyal friend. This marks the beginning of an intense struggle for power and survival against Rakes’ increasingly violent tactics.

  7. Jack's Beating and Rise

    Jack attempts to defend Cricket during the raid but suffers a brutal beating at the hands of Rakes and his men. Following this event, Forrest encourages Jack to learn to stand up for himself, recognizing the need for strength in their dangerous line of work.

  8. Double-Cross in Chicago

    The brothers attempt to expand their business by securing connections in Chicago but find themselves ambushed and double-crossed. Just as hope seems lost, they receive unexpected assistance from Floyd Banner, who helps them navigate this betrayal.

  9. Retribution Against Assailants

    With the insights provided by Banner, the Bondurants set out to exact revenge on their attackers. Their calculated approach leads to a successful retribution that reinforces their power in the bootlegging business.

  10. Confrontation at the Distillation Site

    A visit to the distillation site with Bertha culminates in a dire confrontation with Rakes and his men. The chaos that ensues culminates in Howard incapacitating Rakes, although Jack's attempt to finish him off leads to their hasty escape.

    Where
    Distillation site
  11. Tragic Loss of Cricket

    Tragedy strikes when Rakes captures and kills Cricket, deepening the Bondurant brothers' thirst for vengeance. Jack, propelled by anger and grief, vows to make Rakes pay for the loss of their friend and ally.

  12. Rallying for Vengeance at the Bridge

    In a show of solidarity, Jack seeks out Rakes at a local bridge, rallying his brothers to confront the threat once and for all. Despite Maggie's impassioned pleas to protect Forrest, he chooses to stand by his brothers in this defining moment.

    Where
    Local bridge
  13. The Climactic Showdown

    The confrontation results in a fierce firefight, leaving Forrest severely injured but not before Jack manages to shoot Rakes. In the throes of battle, Howard delivers the fatal blow to Rakes, marking a turning point for the brothers.

  14. Building New Lives

    With Rakes and his gang finally vanquished, the Bondurants contemplate their future and resolve to save their money until Prohibition ends. As new beginnings emerge, Jack marries Bertha, Forrest weds Maggie, and Howard starts a family.

  15. A Somber Conclusion

    The brothers' newfound happiness takes a tragic turn when Forrest, drunken and careless, tumbles into a frozen lake. The pneumonia that ensues takes his life, leaving the family in mourning and solidifying the weight of their sacrifices during an era of turmoil.

Last updated: November 04, 2024 at 00:19

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Timeline questions answered

Lawless Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Lawless (2012): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Forrest Bondurant refuse to pay Special Agent Rakes?

Forrest refuses because he views paying Rakes as a sign of weakness that would make them perpetual targets. He tells Rakes directly that if he ever returns, Forrest will kill him. This defiance stems from Forrest's belief that standing up to corrupt law enforcement is the only way to protect their business and family honor.

  • forrest bondurant
  • charlie rakes
  • moonshine
  • defiance
  • extortion
Q2

What leads to Cricket Pate's death?

Cricket is captured and killed by Rakes as punishment for the Bondurants' continued defiance. After the brothers escape from the confrontation at the distillation site, Rakes takes his revenge by murdering Cricket, who had been a loyal friend and helper to the bootlegging operation.

  • cricket pate
  • charlie rakes
  • revenge
  • murder
  • bondurant brothers
Q3

Why does Jack get beaten by Rakes?

Jack is beaten after he attempts to defend Cricket during Rakes' brutal raid on Cricket's home. Jack tries to intervene but is overpowered and suffers a severe beating at the hands of Rakes and his men, which becomes a pivotal moment in Jack's character development.

  • jack bondurant
  • charlie rakes
  • cricket
  • beating
  • raid
Q4

Why does Forrest choose to fight at the bridge despite Maggie's pleas?

Forrest chooses to stand with his brothers because their bond and code of loyalty are central to his identity. Even though Maggie begs him to stay out of harm's way, Forrest cannot abandon Jack and Howard in their moment of need. This decision reflects the deep familial loyalty that defines his character throughout the film.

  • forrest bondurant
  • maggie beauford
  • bridge showdown
  • brotherhood
  • loyalty
Q5

How does the Chicago deal go wrong for the Bondurants?

The brothers travel to Chicago seeking new business connections but are ambushed and double-crossed by the people they trusted. They are saved by Floyd Banner, who had witnessed Rakes' earlier assault on Forrest and offers to help them after learning of the betrayal.

  • chicago
  • double cross
  • floyd banner
  • bondurant brothers
  • ambush
Q6

Why does Forrest die at the end of the movie?

After the brothers achieve victory over Rakes and marry their respective partners, Forrest gets drunk and falls into a frozen lake while celebrating with his brothers. He contracts pneumonia from the incident and dies a few weeks later, marking a tragic and preventable end to the character.

  • forrest bondurant
  • frozen lake
  • pneumonia
  • death
  • tragedy
Q7

What happens to Rakes at the bridge showdown?

The brothers confront Rakes at a local bridge in a climactic firefight. Jack shoots Rakes first, and then Howard delivers the fatal blow, killing the corrupt Special Agent and ending his reign of terror over Franklin County.

  • charllie rakes
  • bridge showdown
  • howard bondurant
  • jack bondurant
  • climax
Q8

Why does Special Agent Rakes target the Bondurant brothers?

Rakes arrives in Franklin County on orders from District Attorney Mason Wardell, who demands a cut of the brothers' profits from their successful moonshining operation. Rakes uses violent intimidation tactics to coerce payment, targeting the Bondurants specifically because their operation is the most profitable in the region.

  • charlie rakes
  • district attorney mason wardell
  • extortion
  • corruption
  • moonshine business
Q9

What happens to Jack and Bertha after the conflict ends?

Jack marries Bertha Minnix, the preacher's daughter he pursued throughout the film. Their relationship develops from Jack's early attempts to impress her at church, eventually leading to marriage as part of the brothers' new lives after defeating Rakes.

  • jack bondurant
  • bertha minnix
  • marriage
  • preacher's daughter
  • ending
Q10

How does Forrest's relationship with Maggie Beauford develop?

Forrest recruits Maggie, a dancer from Chicago, to work as a waitress at their bar. Throughout the film, their connection deepens as Maggie reveals her traumatic past. They eventually marry, with Forrest choosing to build a legitimate life with her after Prohibition ends.

  • forrest bondurant
  • maggie beauford
  • chicago dancer
  • marriage
  • relationship

Movie threads

More Movies Like Lawless, by Mood & Story

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

Gritty Family Crime Sagas like Lawless

Families and brotherhoods tested by the brutal realities of organized crime. If you liked the brotherly loyalty and brutal survival in Lawless, explore these movies about families entrenched in crime. These dramas feature strong bonds tested by violence and corruption, focusing on the emotional weight of protecting your own in a lawless world.

  • gritty
  • brotherly
  • tense
  • violent
  • loyalty
  • brutal
  • Tone: dark, tense, brotherly
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically follow a family or close-knit group operating a criminal business. Their initial success attracts dangerous opposition, forcing them into escalating violence that tests their unity. The climax often involves a major loss, leading to a bittersweet victory that is shadowed by the personal cost of survival.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on family dynamics within a high-stakes crime setting. They deliver a heavy emotional experience through a steady, tense pace and a dark tone, creating a cohesive mood of gritty, brotherly survival against overwhelming odds.

Movies about Bittersweet Survival in Lawless Lands like Lawless

Stories of hard-won survival in untamed, corrupt settings where peace comes at a price. Discover movies like Lawless that immerse you in brutal, corrupt worlds. These stories feature characters fighting for survival against powerful forces, where any victory is bittersweet and overshadowed by tragedy. If you enjoyed the gritty, oppressive atmosphere of Lawless, you'll find similar vibes here.

  • oppressive
  • grimy
  • vengeful
  • brutal
  • tense
  • gritty
  • Tone: dark, oppressive, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves characters establishing a foothold in a dangerous, lawless setting. Their defiance of a corrupt order leads to escalating conflict. The story builds towards a final, violent confrontation where the antagonist is defeated, but a key character's death renders the victory hollow, emphasizing the high cost of survival.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific mix of a high-intensity, violent plot set in an oppressive world, combined with a steady pacing and a dark tone that culminates in a bittersweet, emotionally heavy conclusion. The core similarity is the experience of a costly triumph in a brutal environment.

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Movies Like Lawless

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Every angle

Lawless (2012) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Lawless 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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