Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Shirin was wrongfully imprisoned in Jerusalem. While the exact charges are not detailed in the film, she is described as a young Bedouin woman who was held captive, and Phryne Fisher helps rescue her from this unjust imprisonment in the 1920s.

• shirin imprisonment
• bedouin woman
• jerusalem
• wrongful imprisonment

Wilson was killed by Crippins, the Lofthouse family butler, who was working as a shadowy protector for Jonathon Lofthouse. Before dying, Wilson passed the emerald amulet to Miss Fisher and asked her to deliver it to Shirin.

Foreshadowing: Crippins is later revealed as the mysterious assailant who attacks multiple times throughout the film.

• wilson shooting
• church murder
• crippins
• assassin

The Crypt of Tears is an ancient legend connected to Alexander the Great's last campaign. Professor Linnaeus explains that the emerald amulet bears this inscription and is linked to a cursed tomb. The legend warns that anyone who disturbs the tomb will suffer a curse, which proves disturbingly real throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: The curse becomes literal when attackers try to seize the amulet and when the tomb itself begins to collapse.

• crypt of tears
• alexander the great
• cursed tomb
• emerald amulet
• legend

Sheikh Kahlil was killed because he publicly denounced the British during a party at Lofthouse Manor and renounced his agreement with Lord Lofthouse over the British Palestine Railways. After learning that British soldiers were responsible for the death of Shirin's family, his betrayal of English interests made him a target. Crippins carried out the killing as part of his role in protecting Jonathon Lofthouse's secrets.

Foreshadowing: The Sheikh's death occurs right after he publicly breaks with Lord Lofthouse, signaling the dangerous consequences of his defiance.

• sheikh kahlil death
• murdered
• british palestine railways
• johnathon lofthouse

Shirin's village was wiped out by a devastating sandstorm, leaving her as the sole survivor who was saved by a mysterious stranger. However, the deeper truth revealed in the tomb is that British soldiers, specifically Jonathon Lofthouse, Captain Templeton, and Wilson, were responsible for the massacre. Shirin's mother was the guardian of the ancient tomb and was killed during their confrontation when they searched for the jewels.

Foreshadowing: Jonathon's guilt is foreshadowed when another corpse in the tomb bears his insignia, revealing his past involvement.

• shirin village massacre
• sandstorm
• mother death
• tomb guardian

Crippins serves as Jonathon Lofthouse's protector because Jonathon is actually the son of Captain Templeton, not Lord Lofthouse. Jonathon was born from Templeton's affair with Lady Eleanor, making him the illegitimate heir. Crippins has been shielding him from the consequences of his past crimes in Shirin's village and helping him maintain his false identity within the family.

Foreshadowing: The revelation comes when Jonathon admits he accompanied Templeton and Wilson to Shirin’s village, and Crippins is revealed as the mysterious assailant throughout the film.

• crippins butler
• jonathon lofthouse secret
• illegitimate son
• templeton affair

Jonathon Lofthouse accompanied Captain Templeton and Wilson to Shirin's village years ago in search of the valuable emeralds hidden in the ancient tomb. During the confrontation, Shirin's mother, the tomb's guardian, was killed, and the group disturbed the tomb. Jonathon has been covering up his involvement ever since, using Crippins to eliminate witnesses and protect his secret.

Foreshadowing: This past crime is revealed when the group discovers a second corpse in the tomb bearing Jonathon's insignia.

• jonathon lofthouse crime
• emeralds
• tomb disturbance
• templeton

Jack Robinson tells Phryne that marriage isn't necessary for happiness, he only needs her heart. This reflects Jack's understanding of Phryne's independent nature and her resistance to conventional commitments. Phryne responds that she has already given him her heart, and they share a tender night together, cementing their relationship based on trust and adventure rather than traditional marriage.

Foreshadowing: This moment fulfills the romantic tension built throughout the film between the two characters.

• jack robinson
• proposal
• marriage
• phryne fisher relationship

In the mid-credits scene, Phryne Fisher receives a letter announcing that her husband has been murdered. The film reveals she married a man to help him secure his kingdom, but his murder leaves her facing new dangers. This scene sets up potential future mysteries and adventures for the character.

• mid-credits scene
• phryne husband murdered
• sequel setup

The emerald amulet is the key to locating the ancient Crypt of Tears tomb. It bears the inscription "Crypt of Tears" and is connected to Alexander the Great's desert campaign and the legend of his bride who died from grief. The amulet was in Wilson's possession, who asked Miss Fisher to deliver it to Shirin, the descendant of the tomb's guardian. The emeralds hidden in the Sheikh's room are also connected to this ancient treasure.

Foreshadowing: The amulet guides the group to the tomb in the Negev desert using the astrolabe.

• emerald amulet
• crypt of tears
• alexander the great
• shirin