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Timeline

Lazy Susan (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 90 min · English
Echo score 45
JustWatch #13,418 13
Directed by
Nick Peet
Starring
Matthew Cardarople, Matthew Broderick, Allison Janney, J.R. Ramirez, Margo Martindale, Erica Hernandez

Susan finds herself adrift in midlife, facing a stagnant existence with no job, romantic prospects, or close family connections. Determined to change her circumstances, she impulsively sets out on a journey of self-discovery and reinvention. However, her lack of experience leads to a series of comical missteps as she tries to become the person she envisions, confronting the unexpected challenges and absurdities of adulthood along the way.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Lazy Susan
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Lazy Susan (2020)

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

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Lazy Susan Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Lazy Susan (2020) 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. Susan's Artistic Endeavors

    In her quaint apartment, Susan, a middle-aged woman, immerses herself in her passion for collage artistry. Her eclectic creations, crafted from pilfered magazine clippings, serve as a colorful reflection of her artistic spirit despite her financial struggles.

    Where
    Susan's apartment
  2. The Cowboy Boots Desire

    One fateful morning, Susan, late for her day, stumbles upon a television program showcasing eye-catching cowboy boots. Enchanted by their beauty, her yearning for the boots pushes her to step outside her comfort zone, shedding her mundane routine.

  3. A Brief Encounter with Leon

    As she prepares to leave, Susan's neighbor, Leon, attempts to share a joke with her but is brushed off. This moment faintly illustrates Susan's preoccupation with her own desires, setting the tone for her character's journey.

    Where
    Outside Susan's apartment
  4. Birthday Reminder from Cameron

    While going about her day, Susan receives a phone call from her brother, Cameron, reminding her of their mother’s approaching birthday. His reluctance to write her name on the gift ignites Susan's determination to make it special despite her financial constraints.

  5. Reconnecting at the Gym

    At the gym, Susan meets with her close friend, Corrin, where they share their excitement over the coveted cowboy boots. However, their workout takes an unexpected turn as Phil, a charming stranger, interrupts, hinting at a possible romantic interest in Susan.

    Where
    Gym
  6. Seeking Financial Help from Mary

    Confronted by her financial burdens, Susan turns to her mother, Mary, asking for a loan. Although hesitant, Mary eventually agrees, facilitating Susan's much-anticipated shopping spree at Kmart.

    Where
    Mary's residence
  7. Encounter with Velvet at Kmart

    At Kmart, fate leads to a confrontation with Velvet, an old high school rival. Their meeting spirals into a competition of exaggerated life claims, leaving Susan feeling guilty over the lies she tells to elevate her image.

    Where
    Kmart
  8. Family Birthday Gathering

    During a family gathering for their mother's birthday, Susan feels increasingly alienated, particularly when Cameron announces a trip to Niagara Falls, excluding her unless she pays her way. Overwhelmed by her family's dynamics, she eventually storms out, feeling undervalued.

    Where
    Family home
  9. The Car Incident with Phil

    Susan encounters Phil again after he accidentally rear-ends her car. This incident ignites a spark of hope for her amid her struggles, leading to flirtatious exchanges that hint at blossoming romance.

    Where
    Parking lot
  10. Romantic Evening at the Trampoline Park

    Susan and Phil's relationship deepens during a dinner date at a trampoline park, filled with laughter and gifts. Their joyful evening takes a turn when Susan suffers from unexpected food poisoning, testing their budding connection.

    Where
    Trampoline park
  11. Heartbreak Revelation

    As Susan proudly shares Phil as her boyfriend at a family event, she is met with heartbreak when he fails to show up. A series of texts reveal that Phil is married, forcing Susan to confront her unfortunate reality and broken trust.

  12. Despair at Niagara Falls

    In her quest for escapism, Susan travels to Niagara Falls after cashing in a necklace for a ticket. However, navigating back home becomes an overwhelming struggle, feeding her feelings of despair and loneliness.

    Where
    Niagara Falls
  13. Vandalism and Arrest

    In a moment of recklessness, Susan vandalizes a billboard advertising Phil's trampoline park, resulting in her unexpected arrest. The incident unexpectedly brings Velvet back into her life, who anonymously bails her out, surprising Susan.

    Where
    Billboard location
  14. Facing Eviction and Discovering Support

    Amidst her escalating troubles, Susan learns of her impending eviction. Yet, she finds solace in the fact that Leon has been quietly doing her laundry, showing his kindness and support during her tough times.

  15. A New Beginning at Kmart

    A chance encounter at the hospital with Leon leads Susan to reflect on her relationships and past neglect. Embracing change, she accepts a job offer at Kmart from Velvet, marking a pivotal moment towards self-improvement and renewed confidence.

    Where
    Kmart

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:11

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Timeline questions answered

Lazy Susan Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Lazy Susan (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Susan steal magazines from her neighbor's mailbox?

Susan steals magazines because she has a tight budget but a passion for collage artistry. She uses the magazine clippings to create vibrant art pieces in her apartment, and since she can't afford to buy magazines legally, she resorts to taking them from her neighbor Leon's mailbox to fuel her creative hobby.

  • magazines
  • collage
  • stealing
  • Leon
  • neighbor
Q2

Why does Phil rear-end Susan's car and then pursue a relationship with her?

After Phil accidentally rear-ends Susan's car in a parking lot, the incident becomes an unexpected icebreaker. Rather than leading to conflict, their interaction sparks flirtation and hope for Susan, who has been feeling stagnant in her life. Phil's charm and attention make her feel desired, which motivates her to pursue the relationship despite the unusual beginning.

  • Phil
  • car accident
  • romance
  • relationship
Q3

Why does Velvet bail Susan out of jail after her arrest?

Velvet bails Susan out anonymously after witnessing her arrest for vandalizing the billboard. Despite their history as high school rivals and recent competition, Velvet shows unexpected compassion. This act marks a turning point in their relationship, demonstrating that Velvet isn't simply Susan's antagonist and setting up their eventual reconciliation.

  • Velvet
  • jail
  • arrest
  • billboard
  • bail
Q4

Why has Leon been secretly doing Susan's laundry this whole time?

Leon has been secretly doing Susan's laundry as a quiet act of kindness and affection toward her. Though Susan has largely ignored him throughout the movie, Leon harbors feelings for her and has been helping in the only way he can without expecting recognition. When Susan faces eviction, this secret support is revealed, showing that care existed around her all along.

  • Leon
  • laundry
  • secret
  • neighbor
  • kindness
Q5

Why does Susan vandalize the billboard advertising Phil's trampoline park?

Susan vandalizes the billboard in a moment of reckless passion and emotional turmoil. After discovering Phil is married and has children, she feels betrayed and angry. The billboard, which advertises Phil's business, represents her heartbreak and failed romantic hopes, leading her to physically attack it in a desperate attempt to vent her frustrations.

  • billboard
  • vandalism
  • Phil
  • heartbreak
  • arrest
Q6

Why does Phil fail to show up when Susan introduces him to her family?

Phil fails to show up because he is actually married with children. When Susan proudly introduces him as her boyfriend to her family and later texts him about the meeting, he reveals his true marital status. His absence and the subsequent revelation leave Susan heart realizesbroken, as she the romantic connection she believed she had was built on deception.

  • Phil
  • married
  • family
  • no-show
  • betrayal
Q7

Why does Susan's brother exclude her from the Niagara Falls trip?

Cameron excludes Susan from the family trip to Niagara Falls because she can't afford to pay her own way. When he announces the trip during their mother's birthday gathering, he explicitly states that Susan is welcome to join only if she covers her own expenses. This moment highlights Susan's financial struggles and contributes to her feeling alienated from her family.

  • Cameron
  • Niagara Falls
  • family
  • exclusion
  • money
Q8

Why does Velvet offer Susan a job at Kmart at the end of the movie?

Velvet offers Susan a job at Kmart after witnessing her lowest point, the arrest and subsequent struggle. This act represents a genuine olive branch and an opportunity for Susan to rebuild her life. Despite their competitive history, Velvet recognizes Susan's need for stability and a fresh start, offering her a chance at employment and renewed purpose.

  • Velvet
  • Kmart
  • job
  • employment
  • new beginning
Q9

Why does Susan go to Niagara Falls by herself?

Susan travels to Niagara Falls alone after cashing in a necklace to buy a ticket, seeking an escape from her mounting problems. After her heartbreak with Phil, her family conflict, and facing eviction, she hopes the trip will provide relief. However, she struggles to navigate home, deepening her feelings of despair and loneliness.

  • Niagara Falls
  • escape
  • desperation
  • loneliness
Q10

Why does Susan's mother agree to lend her money despite hesitation?

Susan's mother Mary reluctantly lends her money because Susan asks for it to cover her financial burdens. Though hesitant, Mary ultimately agrees, allowing Susan to buy the cowboy boots she has been coveting. This moment reflects the complicated family dynamic, Mary cares for her daughter but is not无条件 supportive, showing both love and reluctance.

  • Mary
  • mother
  • loan
  • money
  • financial
Q11

Why does Susan lie to Velvet about her life during their Kmart encounter?

Susan lies to Velvet because their high school rivalry resurfaces when they meet at Kmart. In a competitive moment, each woman makes exaggerated claims about her life to impress the other. Susan feels guilty about her fabrications, revealing her insecurity and desire to present a more successful version of herself, even to someone she barely knows.

  • Velvet
  • lies
  • competition
  • pride
  • exaggeration
Q12

Why does Susan brush off Leon when he tries to share a joke with her?

Susan brushes off Leon when he tries to share a joke because she is preoccupied with her own desires and plans for the day. She has just seen the cowboy boots on television and is eager to leave for the florist and later the gym. This moment establishes Susan's self-focused mindset early in the film, showing how she neglects her relationships while chasing her own aspirations.

  • Leon
  • joke
  • ignored
  • neighbor
  • dismissal

Movie threads

More Movies Like Lazy Susan, by Mood & Story

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

Quirky Self-Reinvention Journeys like Lazy Susan

Stories about characters who fumble their way toward a better version of themselves. If you liked watching Susan's awkward but hopeful journey in Lazy Susan, you'll enjoy these movies about characters reinventing their lives. These films capture the relatable, often comedic, process of self-discovery and the small, everyday struggles of starting over.

  • hopeful
  • quirky
  • relatable
  • comedic
  • awkward
  • slice-of-life
  • Tone: hopeful, comedic
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows a straightforward, character-driven arc from stagnation to growth. The conflict is internal and interpersonal, focusing on the protagonist's attempts to break old patterns. The journey is marked by comedic failures that ultimately lead to genuine, hard-won self-awareness and a positive, happy ending.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a specific blend of hopeful tone, low-stakes intensity, and relatable, comedic misadventures. They focus on the emotional experience of personal transformation, prioritizing heart and humor over high drama.

Gentle Slice-of-Life Comedies like Lazy Susan

Character-focused stories that find humor and heart in the rhythms of daily life. Fans of Lazy Susan's relatable and comedic take on small-town life will appreciate these gentle slice-of-life comedies. Discover movies with a similar steady pace, medium emotional weight, and focus on the humorous side of family dynamics, friendship, and everyday struggles.

  • slice-of-life
  • relatable
  • quirky
  • comedic
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, whimsical
  • Pacing: steady, observational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread are straightforward and episodic, often unfolding as a series of vignettes or misadventures connected by the protagonist's central journey. The plot is secondary to capturing a specific mood and relatable emotional truths. The pacing is steady, allowing the audience to settle into the characters' world and find comedy in the mundane.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific mix of low intensity, steady pacing, and a comedic tone that is more quirky and reflective than broad or farcical. They create a cohesive viewing experience for those seeking stories that feel authentic, warm, and comfortably familiar.

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Every angle

Lazy Susan (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Lazy Susan 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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