Misbehaviour (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sally applies to UCL

Sally Alexander successfully applies to study history at University College London, marking the start of her academic journey. This decision anchors her later activism in the context of her scholarly pursuits. The move sets the stage for her involvement with Jo and the women's movement.

Where

University College London

Sally meets Jo at a women's rights conference

During a conference on women's rights, Sally meets Jo Robinson, a committed feminist activist. Their conversation sparks Sally's deeper engagement with the movement and ideas about protest. The encounter forms the catalyst for Sally's collaboration with Jo's group.

Where

Conference on women's rights

Jo evades arrest after billboard protest

After Jo defaces a sexist billboard, Sally helps her evade arrest, demonstrating a willingness to take risks for the cause. This act cements their partnership and leads Jo to introduce Sally to her broader women's group. The trust established here sets the plan in motion for future collective action.

Where

Outside a police station

Sally joins Jo's women's group

Jo introduces Sally to her women's group, inviting her to contribute to the group's messaging and media. Sally is welcomed to collaborate on the planned protest against Miss World. The arrangement signals Sally's transition from observer to active organizer.

Where

Women's group meeting

Miss World contestants arrive in London

The Miss World contestants arrive in London, bringing international attention and controversy with them. Pearl Jansen and Jennifer Hosten stand out as central figures in the discussions of race and gender. The dynamic among contestants foreshadows the protest's focus on equality and representation.

Where

London

Sally plans to disrupt the live broadcast

Sally hatches a plan to disrupt the live television broadcast by infiltrating the crowd. Several members of the group volunteer to participate and buy audience tickets, aligning personal risk with political statement. The plan signals a turning point from discussion to direct action.

Where

Miss World venue, London

Pearl reveals apartheid regime warning

Pearl privately confesses to Jennifer that the apartheid regime warned her not to speak out about the treatment of black South Africans. The confession underscores the risks contestants faced and the global stakes of their participation. It also strengthens the bond between Pearl and Jennifer against external pressures.

Where

Backstage

Car bomb outside the theatre

A car bomb explodes outside the theatre hosting the event, creating chaos and heightening the stakes for the protestors. The attack intensifies the moral dilemma faced by Sally and Jo about continuing the disruption. Gareth pleads with Sally to call off the protest, but their resolve remains.

Where

Outside the Miss World theatre, London

Picket line crossing begins the show

The competition begins and everyone associated—contestants, audience, organizers, and even Bob Hope—must cross a picket line of protestors. Bob Hope introduces the event with a series of sexist jokes that reveal the show's entrenched attitudes. The moment marks the public clash between entertainment and feminist activism.

Where

Miss World theatre, London

Protest escalates with heckling and flour-bombing

Jo and Sally's group start the protest by heckling Hope and flour-bombing the stage. The disruptive action is swift, visible, and broadcast to the audience, signaling a dramatic turn in the live event. Security and police intervene, leading to arrests.

Where

The Miss World stage, London

Broadcast halt and resume amid chaos

The broadcast is temporarily halted by the disruption, then resumes despite the tension. The interruption amplifies the protest's message and keeps public attention on the women's movement. Sally and Jo's actions have successfully penetrated the televised spectacle.

Where

Live Miss World broadcast

Jennifer crowned Miss World; backstage confrontation

Jennifer Hosten is announced Miss World, becoming the first woman of color to win the title. Pearl also places second, highlighting the complex results of the pageant amid political statements. Backstage, Sally argues with Jennifer about the protest and its consequences for Sally's personal life.

Where

Backstage at Miss World

Post-script: futures and protest impact

The film closes with a post-script detailing the protagonists' futures: Jennifer's diplomatic career, Sally's professorship, Jo's family and midwifery, Pearl's return to South Africa and singing career after apartheid, and the protest's lasting impact on public awareness of feminism. It notes that attempts to dismantle patriarchy remain ongoing.