Let Them All Talk (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Roberta believes Alice used personal details from her life in her famous novel "You Always/You Never," which led to real-life misfortunes for Roberta. She feels betrayed that Alice profited from experiences that weren't hers to share, and this resentment has festered for years.

Foreshadowing: Early in the voyage, Roberta confides in Susan that she gained nothing positive from Alice's book.

• roberta
• alice
• book appropriation
• resentment
• you always you never

Alice passes away from deep vein thrombosis during the night after the voyage concludes. Her personal physician, Dr. Mitchell, delivers the news to Tyler the following morning. The death is sudden and unexpected, occurring while she sleeps.

• alice death
• deep vein thrombosis
• dr mitchell
• tyler

Karen has ulterior motives for joining the voyage. As Alice's agent, she wants to extract information about Alice's new book, which neither she nor the publisher has seen. They're hoping Alice will write a sequel to her successful "You Always/You Never," and Karen uses her friendship with Tyler to glean insights.

Foreshadowing: Karen's motives are revealed early when it's stated she boards unbeknownst to Alice with ulterior motives.

• karen
• agent
• manuscript
• publisher
• queen mary 2

The mysterious man exiting Alice's quarters is never clearly identified in the film. Tyler notices him, sparking speculation about potential romantic involvement, but the movie leaves this detail ambiguous without providing a definitive answer.

• mysterious man
• alice room
• tyler
• speculation

Alice reveals to Tyler that her new book centers on "trying to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time." The work is connected to her previous success "You Always/You Never" and explores the challenge of recreating past creative achievement. However, she faces a creative crisis wondering if it will live up to expectations.

Foreshadowing: Alice hints at the book's theme early in the voyage when speaking with Tyler.

• alice new book
• lightning in a bottle
• sequel
• manuscript

Roberta finally seeks a long-overdue apology from Alice regarding the alleged appropriation of her life experiences. However, their appointment at the tearoom is thwarted when Roberta decides to date a wealthy gentleman instead, leaving Alice feeling dejected and betrayed. This missed opportunity deepens their rift.

Foreshadowing: Roberta's pursuit of wealthy suitors on the ship is established earlier as a priority.

• roberta
• alice
• tearoom
• confrontation
• apology

During a dinner gathering, tensions between Alice and Roberta reach a climax as old grudges surface. Both women express their resentments openly. Susan intervenes, chastising them for clinging to past grievances. The confrontation forces Alice to confront the possibility that her book may not meet expectations.

Foreshadowing: Tensions have been building throughout the voyage between the two women.

• dinner
• alice
• roberta
• confrontation
• susan

As the voyage ends, Roberta offers to provide Alice with the necessary life details for writing her sequel in exchange for 30% of the profits. Alice refuses this proposal, leading to their final separation. Roberta's parting words are "I loved you when you were Al," suggesting she misses the person Alice used to be.

• roberta
• alice
• profit share
• 30%
• manuscript

Blodwyn Pugh was a 19th-century author whose grave Alice wished to be honored at. After Alice's death, Tyler, Roberta, and Susan fulfill this wish by paying tribute at her grave, honoring Alice's literary legacy and her connection to the literary tradition.

• blodwyn pugh
• grave
• alice
• honor
• literary legacy

Susan meets Kelvin Krantz, an established mystery and thriller writer whom Alice secretly read but regarded with disdain. Despite Alice's disapproval, a connection forms between Susan and Krantz. After the voyage, they collaborate on a book inspired by a concept Susan shared aboard the ship, marking a new beginning for Susan.

Foreshadowing: Susan begins meeting Krantz during the voyage.

• susan
• kelvin krantz
• collaboration
• book
• new beginning

A budding friendship develops between Karen and Tyler aboard the ship. Karen uses this relationship to extract information about Alice's work, but genuine feelings develop between them. Karen confides in Tyler about her past relationship with Jan and her fears about the future, including her dreams of motherhood.

Foreshadowing: Their friendship begins early with excursions to the planetarium and disco.

• karen
• tyler
• relationship
• romance
• jan

After Alice's death, Roberta gives Alice's unpublished works to Karen in hopes of profiting from them. However, Karen rejects the pieces as unsuitable for publication, though she supports Roberta's own ambition to write about her life experiences.

• unpublished works
• roberta
• karen
• publication

Facing mounting pressure from expectations that her new book be a sequel to "You Always/You Never," Alice wrestles with self-doubt. She contemplates deleting her work, fearing it may never live up to the success of her previous acclaimed novel.

Foreshadowing: This crisis occurs during the dinner confrontation when she faces the knowledge that her book may not resonate.

• alice
• manuscript
• delete
• creative crisis
• doubt