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Timeline

Lipstick (1976) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1976 · 89 min · English
Directed by
Lamont Johnson
Starring
Mariel Hemingway, Chris Sarandon, Anne Bancroft, Inga Swenson, Perry King, Francesco Scavullo

Consumed by a desire for retribution, a woman embarks on a calculated plan to destroy the idyllic life of a seemingly flawless couple. She carefully constructs a scheme of lies and manipulation, creating a dangerous situation that puts their happiness and stability at risk. The consequences of her actions threaten to expose dark secrets and shatter their carefully built world.

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 Lipstick
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Lipstick (1976)

Where can you watch Lipstick? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Lipstick Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Lipstick (1976) 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. Chris Takes Care of Kathy

    In the wake of their parents' tragic death in a car accident, twenty-one-year-old Chris McCormick becomes the primary guardian for her younger sister, Kathy. They begin their new life together in a shared apartment, striving to adapt to the profound changes in their lives while Kathy pursues her education at a private Catholic school.

  2. Invitation to the Photoshoot

    Eager to introduce Chris to the avant-garde musical world, Kathy invites her charismatic music teacher, Gordon Stuart, to one of Chris's photoshoots at the ocean. However, time slips away, causing Chris to miss the chance to experience Gordon's music live, which leaves Kathy disappointed and longing for her sister's connection with the arts.

    Where
    Photoshoot location by the ocean
  3. Awkward First Meeting

    The following day, Gordon arrives at Chris and Kathy's apartment, but an unexpected and forgetful Chris greets him only wearing a robe, having just come out of the shower. She is soon interrupted by a phone call from her boyfriend, Steve Edison, leading to an uncomfortable tension as she retreats to her bedroom, leaving Gordon frustrated.

    Where
    Chris and Kathy's apartment
  4. The Assault

    In a shocking twist, Chris becomes the victim of a violent assault by Gordon when he follows her into her bedroom. This grotesque act occurs just as young Kathy unexpectedly comes home from school, walking into a nightmare she cannot comprehend as she inadvertently witnesses part of the horror unfolding.

    Where
    Chris's bedroom
  5. Kathy's Horrified Realization

    After the assault, Chris desperately pleads with Gordon to let her go when she realizes that Kathy may have misunderstood the situation. Horrified by the events she barely grasped, Kathy eventually confronts Chris, who is left shattered and helpless in the aftermath of the assault.

  6. Police and Crisis Support

    As the aftermath of the assault unfolds, the police arrive to gather evidence against Gordon. Chris receives support from a rape-crisis counselor, providing her with the solace she needs while facing the unimaginable trauma, as Gordon is arrested later that night.

    Where
    Chris's apartment
  7. Consultation with the District Attorney

    Days later, Chris, her boyfriend Steve, and her priest Martin meet with district attorney Carla Bondi. She offers a sobering review of their case, warning that due to Chris's prior invitation to Gordon's apartment, securing a conviction would be a challenging endeavor, casting doubt on the pursuit of justice.

    Where
    District Attorney's office
  8. Trial and Cross-Examination

    During the court trial, Gordon's attorney attempts to discredit Chris by presenting incriminating evidence from her modeling career. His goal is to portray her as a woman of questionable character, but the path to justice becomes increasingly unclear as disturbing details of the encounter surface.

    Where
    Courtroom
  9. Kathy's Testimony

    Tragically, it is Kathy's testimony that ultimately leads to Gordon's acquittal. The jury misinterprets her inaction during the assault as consent, leaving Chris devastated and highlighting the injustices faced by survivors in the legal system.

    Where
    Courtroom
  10. Chris's Career in Jeopardy

    After the traumatic events and subsequent court proceedings, Chris struggles to focus on her modeling career due to emotional turmoil. Consequently, her contract is suspended, leaving her to face the harsh realities of her altered life while Kathy changes schools out of fear over Gordon's potential return.

  11. Kathy's Disturbing Encounter

    While visiting an incomplete mall for Chris's photo shoot, Kathy stumbles upon Gordon preparing for a dance performance with former classmates. Unsettled by the unexpected encounter, she feels an involuntary lure toward Gordon's manipulative charm, which rapidly changes to terror as she becomes the target of his predatory intentions.

    Where
    Incomplete mall complex
  12. Kathy's Escape and Confession

    In a desperate attempt to flee Gordon's grasp, Kathy manages to escape back to the photo shoot visibly distraught and disheveled. Though initially hesitant to confide in Chris, she ultimately reveals the horrifying truth of Gordon's pursuit and aggression, igniting a fierce protective instinct within her sister.

    Where
    Photo shoot location
  13. Confrontation with Gordon

    Fueled by rage and a desire to protect her sister, Chris resolves to confront Gordon, retrieving a rifle from her truck to face him. In a moment of emotional turmoil and desperation, she opens fire, resulting in multiple gunshots, tragically including a fatal shot that leads to Gordon's demise.

    Where
    Photo shoot location
  14. Aftermath of the Shooting

    As the police arrive and apprehend Chris, a reflective moment ensues, illustrating the fallout of her impulsive actions. The chilling reality of the situation unfolds as Chris faces serious legal repercussions, and the question of justice remains uncertain in light of her desperate endeavor to protect her sister.

  15. Carla Bondi's Commitment

    In a solemn moment, Carla Bondi steps away from her district attorney role to take on Chris's defense. Addressing the jury in Chris’s murder trial, she underscores the importance of their decision, emphasizing the true meaning of justice and its impact on not just her case but society as a whole.

    Where
    Courtroom

Last updated: October 25, 2024 at 10:01

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Timeline questions answered

Lipstick Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Lipstick (1976): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Gordon acquitted at trial?

Gordon was acquitted because Kathy's testimony was misinterpreted by the jury. When Kathy walked in on the assault, she froze and didn't intervene, which the jury misread as consent rather than shock or fear. Despite Chris's testimony and the evidence, the defense used her inaction to argue she had consented to the encounter.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Kathy quietly entered from the balcony and left after witnessing what she misinterpreted as a consensual encounter between her sister and favorite teacher.

  • trial
  • acquittal
  • jury
  • kathy testimony
  • gordon verdict
Q2

What happened to Kathy at the mall?

Kathy was attacked by Gordon while exploring an incomplete mall complex during Chris's photo shoot. After her classmates left, Gordon called her over to help with mixing his composition and placed a contact microphone on her chest. Realizing the danger, she tried to flee but he pursued her into a sub-basement tunnel before she managed to escape back to the photo shoot.

Foreshadowing: Kathy had changed schools fearing Gordon's potential reinstatement after his acquittal, making their unexpected encounter at the mall even more terrifying.

  • kathy
  • gordon
  • mall attack
  • escape
  • photo shoot
Q3

Why did Chris shoot Gordon?

Chris shot Gordon because he had just attacked her sister Kathy at the mall. After Kathy told Chris what happened, Chris was filled with rage and protective instinct. She retrieved a rifle from her truck and confronted Gordon as he tried to leave, firing multiple shots in what appeared to be a desperate act of vengeance to protect her sister.

Foreshadowing: Chris had already suffered greatly from Gordon's first assault and the failed legal outcome, making her desperate to prevent a second victimization of her sister.

  • chris shooting
  • gordon death
  • vengeance
  • protect sister
Q4

Why was Chris's modeling contract suspended?

Chris's modeling contract was suspended because she struggled to focus on her work after the traumatic assault and trial. The emotional toll of the attack, the frustrating legal process, and the subsequent victim-blaming made it impossible for her to maintain the concentration required for her career, leading her agency to suspend her.

  • modeling career
  • suspended contract
  • chris trauma
  • emotional struggle
Q5

Why did Carla Bondi defend Chris in her murder trial?

Carla Bondi defended Chris after leaving her role as district attorney because she believed Chris's actions, while criminal, were understandable given the failures of the justice system. Having prosecuted Gordon's original case and witnessed his acquittal despite clear evidence, Carla felt that true justice required her to defend Chris rather than prosecute her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Carla had warned Chris that securing a conviction would be difficult and witnessed the frustrating outcome of the trial.

  • carla bondi
  • defense attorney
  • justice system
  • murder trial
Q6

What did Kathy witness during the first assault?

Kathy walked in on the assault while it was happening. She entered from the connecting balcony and witnessed a scene she misinterpreted as a consensual encounter between her sister and her favorite teacher. She quietly left without understanding the true nature of what she was seeing, which later contributed to the jury's misinterpretation of her testimony.

  • kathy witness
  • assault
  • balcony
  • misinterpretation
Q7

What caused Gordon to assault Chris?

Gordon attacked Chris because he was frustrated by her lack of attention. He had hoped Chris would use her industry connections to help his musical career, but she was interrupted by a phone call from her boyfriend and retreated to her bedroom. This rejection enraged him, leading to the violent assault.

  • gordon assault
  • frustration
  • rejection
  • music career
Q9

How did the trial outcome affect Chris emotionally?

The trial outcome devastated Chris emotionally. Gordon's acquittal made her feel powerless and blamed, especially since the jury's decision was based on misinterpreting her sister's frozen response during the assault. This, combined with her suspended modeling contract, left her feeling that the legal system had failed her completely.

  • emotional impact
  • trial verdict
  • devastation
  • justice system failure
Q10

Why did Kathy change schools after the trial?

Kathy changed schools because she feared Gordon's potential reinstatement. After seeing him acquitted and return to teaching, she was terrified he might come back to her new school, so her family transferred her to protect her from the predator who had already attacked her sister.

  • kathy school change
  • fear
  • gordon reinstatement
  • protection

Movie threads

More Movies Like Lipstick, by Mood & Story

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

Vigilante Justice Thrillers like Lipstick

Stories where legal systems fail, leading to desperate, personal acts of revenge. If you liked the desperate quest for revenge in Lipstick, explore these movies about characters pushed beyond the limits of the law. These films often feature violent crimes, failed courtrooms, and morally ambiguous endings, focusing on the heavy toll of taking justice into one's own hands.

  • vengeful
  • grim
  • tense
  • brutal
  • traumatic
  • oppressive
  • Tone: dark, grim, tense
  • Pacing: steady, methodical build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a traumatic violation or injustice that serves as the inciting incident. The legal system proves to be an inadequate or hostile force, denying the victim closure. This failure propels the protagonist on a path of calculated or explosive revenge, culminating in a confrontation that forces them to confront the violence within themselves.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are united by their dark exploration of justice outside the law. They share a heavy emotional weight, a steady pacing that builds to a violent climax, and a tone that is both brutal and morally complex, often leaving the consequences of revenge ambiguous.

Movies About Psychological Trauma like Lipstick

Intense character studies focusing on the brutal aftermath of violation and the fight to survive. Viewers seeking films with the intense focus on trauma and survival seen in Lipstick will find similar stories here. These movies explore the deep psychological scars left by assault and violence, portraying a heavy, character-driven journey through pain, resilience, and the complex process of coping.

  • traumatic
  • anxious
  • tense
  • oppressive
  • psychological
  • grim
  • Tone: dark, traumatic, anxious
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a protagonist's life being shattered by a single, brutal event. The plot then meticulously charts their psychological fallout—the anxiety, fear, and trauma—rather than focusing solely on external conflict. The journey is internal, showing the character's struggle to piece their life back together in a world that feels fundamentally unsafe.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unflinching portrayal of psychological damage and the heavy, oppressive mood that results. They share a high intensity driven by emotional pain, a steady pacing that allows for deep character exploration, and a dark tone that refuses to shy away from difficult subject matter.

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Movies Like Lipstick

Similar movies to Lipstick: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Lipstick (1976) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Lipstick 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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