Matthias & Maxime (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Matthias is deeply affected because the kiss awakens long-repressed feelings he's never acknowledged. While he previously dismissed a similar kiss in high school as being caused by party drugs, the reality of kissing Maxime as an adult forces him to confront feelings he's buried beneath his ambitious lifestyle and relationship with Sarah. This unexpected emotional response creates his inner turmoil throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, friends remind them of a similar kiss from high school, which Matthias had rationalized away as youthful indiscretion.

• matthias
• maxime
• kiss
• emotions
• repressed feelings

Matthias rejects the promotion because his emotional state has been destabilized by the kiss and his growing realization about his true feelings for Maxime. The promotion represents the life he's been building, the ambitious, controlled path, but it no longer feels authentic to who he is. His decision reflects his internal crisis and inability to continue pursuing a future that doesn't align with his actual desires.

Foreshadowing: The promotion is mentioned early as Matthias's primary focus, making his sudden rejection more impactful as a sign of his transformation.

• matthias
• promotion
• job
• decision
• emotional crisis

The drawing depicts Maxime and Matthias as farmers living together on a farm, a shared childhood dream they once imagined. Finding this drawing while packing up his childhood home triggers Maxime's nostalgia and reminds him of the pure, uncomplicated bond they shared as children. It represents their lost innocence and the depth of connection he's about to leave behind.

Foreshadowing: This moment connects to earlier scenes showing their lifelong friendship and the carefree nature of their youth.

• maxime
• drawing
• childhood
• farm
• memories
• nostalgia

Matthias insults Maxime's birthmark because he's overwhelmed by emotional turmoil and incapable of processing his feelings constructively. His denial about Maxime's departure and his own suppressed emotions manifest as aggression. The insult represents his self-destructive behavior when unable to confront what he truly feels, his fear of losing Maxime and his confusion about his own identity.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Matthias struggling to accept Maxime's upcoming move to Australia, setting up his emotional breakdown.

• matthias
• maxime
• birthmark
• party
• insult
• emotional breakdown

Maxime's mother is struggling with alcoholism, which is why he has been caring for her throughout the film. As he prepares to move to Australia, Maxime makes the difficult decision to transfer her care to his aunt, representing his transition into adulthood and the painful choices he must make about his future.

Foreshadowing: Maxime's role as caretaker is established early in the film, showing his responsible nature before his departure becomes imminent.

• maxime
• mother
• alcoholism
• care
• aunt
• moving

Matthias waiting at the airport signifies his ultimate acceptance of Maxime's departure and his willingness to confront their relationship honestly. Rather than continuing to deny his feelings or avoid the painful reality of Maxime leaving, he chooses to face it directly. The ending suggests their bond may survive the distance, leaving their relationship's future ambiguous but hopeful.

Foreshadowing: This moment contrasts sharply with Matthias's earlier denial and refusal to attend Maxime's farewell party, showing his emotional growth.

• matthias
• maxime
• airport
• ending
• farewell
• hope

The letter of recommendation from Matthias's father was never forwarded because Matthias, consciously or unconsciously, didn't want Maxime to leave. This act symbolizes Matthias's refusal to accept change and his deeper denial about his feelings. When Maxime discovers the letter wasn't delivered, he gains clarity about his friend's resistance to his departure and takes matters into his own hands.

Foreshadowing: This explains Matthias's strange behavior throughout the film, his denial wasn't just about the kiss, but about losing Maxime entirely.

• letter
• recommendation
• maxime
• matthias father
• miscommunication

Maxime agrees to participate in the student film primarily because he wants to help Érika, but his willingness also hints at his own unexamined feelings about Matthias. While Matthias is coerced through a bet, Maxime's agreement seems more voluntary, suggesting a deeper comfort or curiosity about the situation that reflects his own suppressed emotions.

Foreshadowing: Maxime's easier agreement foreshadows his later willingness to explore his feelings, contrasted with Matthias's more conflicted reaction.

• maxime
• erika
• film
• kiss
• student project

Matthias goes to the strip club seeking an escape from his emotional turmoil, attempting to return to a normal life. However, he leaves abruptly because the experience doesn't provide the distraction he needs, he can't escape his feelings for Maxime. His running through the streets afterward symbolizes his inability to run away from his problems.

Foreshadowing: This scene follows his intimate encounter with Maxime where he pulls away, showing his pattern of fleeing from emotional confrontation.

• matthias
• strip club
• escape
• emotions
• running

The high school kiss refers to a similar incident between Matthias and Maxime during their teenage years, which their friends reference when they're asked to kiss for Érika's film. At the time, Matthias dismissed it as youthful indiscretion influenced by party drugs, using this rationalization to avoid examining what the kiss might have meant emotionally.

Foreshadowing: This past event establishes that their feelings for each other aren't entirely new, providing context for why the present-day kiss affects them so deeply.

• high school
• kiss
• past
• drugs
• memory