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Timeline

Love and Monsters (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 109 min · English
Echo score 85
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Directed by
Michael Matthews
Starring
Michael Rooker, Ellen Hollman, Jessica Henwick, Amali Golden, Ariana Greenblatt, Damien Garvey
Budget
$30M

After a catastrophic event unleashes monstrous creatures across the globe, Joel Dawson seeks refuge underground with the remnants of humanity. Years later, a chance radio transmission leads him to reconnect with Aimee, his high school sweetheart. Driven by rekindled feelings, Joel embarks on a perilous 80-mile journey to reunite with her, facing terrifying creatures and challenging his own resilience along the way. He must confront not only the monstrous dangers but also the uncertainty of whether their love can survive the apocalypse.

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 Love and Monsters
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Love and Monsters Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Love and Monsters (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. Asteroid Collision

    A catastrophic asteroid collides with Earth, triggering a series of devastating events. This causes widespread destruction and transforms cold-blooded creatures into massive, lethal monsters.

  2. Global Decimation

    The fallout from the asteroid leads to the rapid extermination of the human population, with 95% of people gone within just one year. Society collapses as survivors struggle to adapt to the new deadly environment.

  3. Separation from Aimee

    During the chaotic evacuation of Fairfield, Joel Dawson becomes separated from his girlfriend, Aimee. This moment is marked by tragedy as his parents die in a horrific encounter with a monster.

    Where
    Fairfield
  4. Joel's Underground Bunker Life

    Seven years later, Joel lives in an underground bunker, part of a colony of survivors. Unlike his friends who have paired off, Joel remains isolated and struggles with loneliness in this treacherous world.

    When
    Seven years later
  5. Friend's Death

    The monotony of Joel's life is shattered when a massive ant attacks, killing one of his friends. This event ignites a spark within Joel, motivating him to embark on a journey to find Aimee, who is 85 miles away.

  6. Encounter with a Giant Toad

    While navigating through abandoned neighborhoods, Joel faces a giant toad-like creature. He is rescued by a stray dog that he names Boy, who becomes his companion and guide during the journey.

    Where
    Abandoned neighborhoods
  7. Rescue from Sand-Gobblers

    Falling into a den of monstrous worms known as Sand-Gobblers, Joel is rescued by seasoned survivor Clyde Dutton and brave Minnow. They share their plans for moving north, where conditions are hostile for monsters.

  8. Fight to Save Boy

    As Joel and Boy continue their journey, the dog is ensnared by a colossal centipede. Overcoming his fear, Joel uses his crossbow to rescue Boy, showcasing his growing bravery in the face of danger.

  9. Communication with Aimee

    In a rundown motel, they encounter Mav1s, a dying robot that briefly restores Joel's radio. With hopes rising, Joel tries to contact Aimee, only to discover that her safety is under threat from outside forces.

    Where
    Rundown motel
  10. Confrontation with a Queen Sand-Gobbler

    The next day, a queen Sand-Gobbler attacks during a hideout attempt, leading to a tense confrontation. Joel courageously uses a grenade to eliminate the threat, but his reprimand causes Boy to run away.

  11. Reunion with Aimee

    After a series of adventures, Joel wakes up to find Aimee caring for a beach colony of elderly survivors. The reunion is bittersweet as Aimee expresses her changes over the years, leaving Joel conflicted.

    Where
    Beach colony
  12. Joel's Decision

    Understanding Aimee's growth and needs, Joel resolves to return to his own colony. He sends a warning about dangers but learns of new threats brewing at Aimee's home.

  13. The Fight for Survival

    Joel's plan confronts obstacles as Cap and his crew capture Aimee and other survivors, aiming to exploit the beach colony. However, Joel and Aimee orchestrate a daring escape to confront their captors.

  14. Final Showdown

    During a climactic moment, Joel chooses not to destroy Cap's crab-monster henchman after recognizing its non-hostile nature. This decision proves pivotal as the creature turns against Cap, leading to chaos.

  15. A Tender Farewell

    After the battle, Joel strategizes for Aimee's group to head north for safety. Their farewell is emotional, marked by a promise to reunite, while Joel embarks on his return journey to reunite with his colony.

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 16:19

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Timeline questions answered

Love and Monsters Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

How did the asteroid create the monsters?

The asteroid collision triggered a massive fallout that transformed cold-blooded creatures into huge, lethal monsters. This rapid evolution happened within a year, killing 95% of the human population and forcing survivors underground.

  • asteroid
  • monsters
  • fallout
  • cold-blooded creatures
  • apocalypse
Q2

What motivated Joel to leave the underground bunker?

After a massive ant attacked the bunker and killed one of his friends, Joel decided to embark on the dangerous journey to find Aimee. The loss broke his complacency and gave him a clear purpose after seven years of isolation.

  • Joel
  • bunker
  • journey
  • ant attack
  • motivation
Q3

How did Joel meet Boy the dog?

While navigating abandoned neighborhoods, Joel encountered a giant toad-like creature that was about to attack him. A stray dog intervened, saving Joel's life. Joel named the dog Boy, and they became inseparable companions for the 85-mile journey.

  • Boy
  • dog
  • toad
  • companion
  • rescue
Q4

Why did Boy run away after the queen Sand-Gobbler attack?

After Joel used a grenade to kill the queen Sand-Gobbler, he scolded Boy for barking and giving away their hiding spot. Hurt by the reprimand, Boy ran away into the dangerous wasteland.

  • Boy
  • Sand-Gobbler
  • grenade
  • ran away
  • separation
Q5

Why did Joel spare the crab monster instead of killing it?

Joel recognized the creature's non-hostile nature in its eyes, remembering Clyde's earlier lesson that you can always tell a monster's intent by looking into its eyes. Instead of destroying it, he cut its chain, and the creature turned against Cap's crew, destroying their yacht.

Foreshadowing: Clyde earlier told Joel, 'You can always tell in their eyes' when teaching about monster survival.

  • crab monster
  • Cap
  • Joel's choice
  • eyes
  • mercy
Q6

What did Aimee mean when she said she's changed?

After seven years of surviving independently in the apocalypse, Aimee had built her own life and leadership role among the elderly colony. She had grown stronger and more self-reliant, making her reunion with Joel bittersweet as she acknowledged their relationship had evolved.

  • Aimee
  • changed
  • growth
  • reunion
  • independence
Q7

Why did everyone want to go north to the mountains?

The monsters are cold-blooded creatures that cannot survive in cold weather. The northern mountains offer an inhospitable environment for the creatures, making them the safest refuge for survivors.

  • mountains
  • north
  • cold
  • monsters
  • safety
  • refuge
Q8

What happened to Mav1s the robot?

Mav1s was a dying robot Joel encountered at the rundown motel. Despite being severely damaged, she managed to briefly restore Joel's radio so he could contact Aimee before she died.

  • Mav1s
  • robot
  • radio
  • died
  • motel
Q9

Why did Joel and Aimee separate again at the end?

Joel chose to return to his own colony to warn them about Cap's planned attack and help them escape to the mountains for safety. Aimee also headed north with her group. They separated temporarily with a promise to reunite once the immediate dangers passed.

  • separation
  • reunion
  • mountains
  • promise
  • colony
Q10

How were Cap and his crew defeated?

Joel refused to kill the crab-monster that served Cap, instead cutting its chain. The creature turned on its captors and destroyed the yacht Cap's crew had stolen, ending their threat.

  • Cap
  • crab monster
  • yacht
  • defeated
  • betrayal
Q11

How did Joel's parents die?

During the chaotic evacuation of Fairfield when the monsters first appeared, Joel's parents were crushed in their car by a monster while trying to escape. This tragedy occurred right before Joel got separated from Aimee.

  • parents
  • died
  • Fairfield
  • monster
  • evacuation
Q12

How did Joel rescue Boy from the centipede?

When a colossal centipede creature ensnared Boy, Joel initially froze from fear but then overcame it. He used his crossbow to free Boy from the creature's grip, showcasing his growth from a frightened survivor to a brave protector.

  • centipede
  • Boy
  • crossbow
  • rescue
  • bravery

Movie threads

More Movies Like Love and Monsters, by Mood & Story

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

Hopeful Post-Apocalyptic Journeys like Love and Monsters

Uplifting survival stories where humanity and humor shine through the danger. If you liked the uplifting spirit of Love and Monsters, explore more movies like it. These similar films feature resilient heroes on perilous quests in a post-apocalyptic world, balancing tense action with heartfelt themes of hope, love, and finding your place.

  • hopeful
  • adventurous
  • resilient
  • heartwarming
  • tense
  • survival
  • Tone: hopeful, adventurous
  • Pacing: fast, quest-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often an underdog, on a linear quest through a dangerous world. The journey is as much about internal growth and reconnecting with one's humanity as it is about reaching a physical destination. Threats are present but are overcome through ingenuity and courage, leading to a personally fulfilling, if not perfectly happy, conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core DNA of optimism amidst chaos. They combine the thrilling elements of survival action with a character-driven focus on hope, making the apocalypse a backdrop for inspiring stories of connection and self-discovery rather than pure despair.

Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Survival Stories like Love and Monsters

Young heroes face overwhelming odds, emerging changed but not unscathed. Fans of Joel's personal journey in Love and Monsters will enjoy these similar movies. Discover other stories about young adults facing terrifying challenges, where the focus is on overcoming isolation and fear, resulting in a bittersweet but ultimately rewarding transformation.

  • bittersweet
  • coming-of-age
  • resilient
  • anxious
  • lonely
  • heartwarming
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is a crucible that forges the main character. Starting from a place of insecurity or isolation, they are forced to undertake a difficult task. They meet mentors, face failures, and discover inner strength. The conclusion sees them transformed—more capable and confident—but often having sacrificed something or gained a more mature, nuanced view of the world.

Why they belong together: These films are united by a specific character arc: the journey from cowardice to courage, from isolation to connection. They balance thrilling survival elements with a deeply personal emotional story, resulting in an ending that feels bittersweet because the character's innocence is lost, but their newfound strength is gained.

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Every angle

Love and Monsters (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Love and Monsters in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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