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Timeline

Moonwalkers (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 107 min · English
JustWatch #10,442 10
Directed by
Antoine Bardou-Jacquet
Starring
Ron Perlman, Rupert Grint, Robert Sheehan, Stephen Campbell Moore

During the vibrant 1960s in London, a meticulous CIA agent finds himself partnered with a flamboyant music manager. Together, they devise a risky and unconventional plan: to stage a fake moon landing. Their chaotic mission leads them through a bizarre world where espionage and the entertainment industry collide, resulting in a series of humorous misunderstandings and unexpected adventures as they try to pull off the audacious scheme.

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 Moonwalkers
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Moonwalkers (2016)

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

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Moonwalkers Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Moonwalkers (2016) 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. CIA's Secret Mission

    In the days leading up to the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the CIA assigned agent Tom Kidman a crucial and morally ambiguous task. Kidman's objective was to hire filmmaker Stanley Kubrick to produce a staged moon landing in case the real astronauts failed in their mission, a strategy designed to safeguard American morale during the Cold War.

    When
    Pre-Moon landing
  2. Bribing Stanley Kubrick

    Armed with a suitcase full of cash from the CIA, Kidman travels to England to persuade Kubrick to take on the job. The stakes are high, as the CIA also orders Kidman to eliminate Kubrick once the task is complete to prevent any leaks about the deception.

    Where
    England
  3. Mistaken Identity

    Upon arriving in England, Kidman mistakenly meets Jonny Thorpe, Kubrick's agent's cousin, instead of the director himself. Desperate for a solution, Jonny exploits the opportunity and arranges a meeting with Kidman, leading to unforeseen chaos as they concoct their scheme.

    Where
    England
  4. The Fake Meeting

    Jonny introduces Kidman to Leon, his stoner roommate, who pretends to be Kubrick. Kidman, unbeknownst to the ruse, hands over the briefcase filled with cash, celebrating their success with extravagant spending, all while being tracked by the Iron Monger's shady henchmen.

    Where
    Jonny's House
  5. Briefcase Heist

    The excitement is short-lived as the Iron Monger's henchmen break into Jonny's home, brutally beating him and stealing the briefcase. Kidman realizes that he has been duped and that the meeting with 'Kubrick' was a complete illusion, prompting a fierce desire to track down the stolen money.

    Where
    Jonny's House
  6. A New Plan Emerges

    After confronting Jonny about the scheme, Kidman learns that a director named Renatus could actually produce the Moon landing film. Kidman is taken to Renatus’s commune-like mansion where creativity reigns, and Renatus eagerly agrees to participate, oblivious to the true nature of the project.

    Where
    Renatus's Mansion
  7. Retrieving the Money

    Kidman decides to confront the Iron Monger to retrieve the briefcase. In a dramatic turn of events, he resorts to violence, killing several of the Iron Monger's henchmen and successfully reclaiming the money. This marks a significant turning point, showcasing Kidman's growing volatility.

    Where
    Iron Monger's Hideout
  8. Stalled Production

    With the project back on, the production halts as Renatus insists on turning the film into an avant-garde art piece. Kidman, trying to fit in, consumes an opium-laced bong hit, causing him to undergo a harrowing trip that complicates his already fragile mental state.

    Where
    Renatus's Mansion
  9. The Bad Trip

    In an attempt to recover from his drug-induced experience, Kidman is given LSD by Ella, a free-spirited hippie who becomes interested in him. On this psychedelic journey, he professes to Ella that he wants to move away from violence, reflecting an inner transformation while in the throes of his trip.

  10. CIA's Response

    Alarmed by Kidman's incoherent call to the CIA, agents are dispatched to England to regain control of the situation. They take everyone at the commune hostage, demanding that the filming of the fake Moon landing commence immediately, leading to an unexpected and tense stand-off.

    Where
    Renatus's Commune
  11. Filming Under Duress

    Jonny and Leon reluctantly take on the roles of astronauts while the CIA sets up their operations. As the shoot progresses, Leon’s nerves lead him to take more drugs, resulting in erratic behavior and chaos on set that further complicates the filming of their false Moon landing.

    Where
    Fake Moon Set
  12. Showdown with the Iron Monger

    The situation escalates dramatically with the arrival of the Iron Monger, who bursts in to reclaim his stolen money. A fierce shootout ensues between the CIA and the Iron Monger's henchmen, resulting in casualties and chaos that threaten to derail the entire mission.

    Where
    Renatus's Commune
  13. Broadcasting Lies

    In the midst of the chaos, the false footage from the filming is transmitted via closed circuit to the CIA headquarters. Despite the gunfire and confusion, the CIA successfully receives their desired content, marking a pivotal and ironic moment in Kidman's mission.

    Where
    CIA Headquarters
  14. Life Over Death

    After eliminating the Iron Monger, Kidman tells Jonny that his space suit absorbed the bullet from the shootout, falsely claiming that Jonny’s actions saved him. This moment encapsulates Kidman's transformation and the impact of violence versus camaraderie as they bond over their harrowing experience.

  15. Fleeing to Freedom

    Now wanted by the CIA, Jonny, Leon, Kidman, and Ella must quickly escape England. As they journey towards Spain, they share a moment of collective uncertainty while watching the Moon landing on television, torn between reality and the fabricated truth they created.

    Where
    Spain

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Timeline questions answered

Moonwalkers Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Moonwalkers (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did the CIA want to hire Stanley Kubrick for a fake moon landing?

The CIA feared Apollo 11 might fail, so they needed a contingency plan to maintain American morale against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They specifically sought Kubrick because of his reputation for creating realistic, high-quality film productions that could convincingly pass as real footage.

Foreshadowing: The mission's urgency reflects Cold War anxieties established when Kidman receives his orders.

  • CIA
  • Kubrick
  • fake moon landing
  • Apollo 11
  • Cold War
Q2

Why does Kidman react with extreme violence throughout the movie?

Kidman suffers from PTSD stemming from his traumatic experiences in Vietnam. This psychological condition causes him to respond to frustration and perceived threats with extreme, brutal violence, as evidenced when he kills multiple Iron Monger henchmen to recover the briefcase without hesitation.

Foreshadowing: The CIA notes his violent tendencies early, warning that he reacts to frustration with extreme violence.

  • Kidman
  • PTSD
  • Vietnam
  • violence
  • trauma
Q3

What happened to the briefcase full of cash from the CIA?

After Jonny and Leon impersonated Kubrick and accepted the briefcase, they spent the money recklessly. The Iron Monger's henchmen then broke into Jonny's house, brutally beat him, and stole the briefcase. Kidman later confronted the gangsters and recovered the money by killing several of them.

Foreshadowing: Jonny's existing debt to the Iron Monger explains why his henchmen were追踪 him.

  • briefcase
  • money
  • Iron Monger
  • stolen
  • cash
Q4

Why does the Iron Monger get involved in the fake moon landing scheme?

The Iron Monger becomes involved through Jonny's pre-existing debt to him. When Jonny received the briefcase full of cash from Kidman, the Iron Monger's henchmen tracked the money and stole it back, forcing Kidman to violently confront the gang to retrieve it.

Foreshadowing: Jonny's financial troubles with the Iron Monger are mentioned when he's first introduced.

  • Iron Monger
  • gangster
  • Jonny
  • debt
Q5

Was the fake moon landing footage actually broadcast to the CIA?

Yes, despite the chaos and shootout at Renatus's commune, the fake footage was successfully transmitted to CIA headquarters through their closed-circuit system. The broadcast occurred during the violent confrontation between the CIA agents and the Iron Monger's gang.

Foreshadowing: The CIA's demand for immediate filming builds tension toward this pivotal moment.

  • fake moon landing
  • broadcast
  • CIA
  • footage
  • transmission
Q6

What happens when Jonny gets shot during the shootout?

Jonny is shot while trying to protect Kidman from the Iron Monger. However, he's saved by the astronaut suit he was wearing, which absorbed the bullet. Kidman lies to Jonny afterward, telling him his quick action saved Kidman's life, when in reality the suit provided the protection.

Foreshadowing: The astronaut suits are introduced when Jonny and Leon are forced to wear them for filming.

  • Jonny
  • shot
  • astronaut suit
  • bullet
  • survival
Q7

Does the ending imply the real moon landing was also faked?

The ending is intentionally ambiguous. While watching Apollo 11's historic Moon landing in a Spanish bar, the characters and audience are uncertain whether they're seeing the real event or their own fabricated footage. This uncertainty serves as the film's final joke about truth, perception, and manufactured reality.

Foreshadowing: The entire film blurs the line between reality and deception, making this uncertainty fitting.

  • ending
  • moon landing
  • ambiguity
  • reality
  • Apollo 11
Q8

Why does the CIA order Kidman to kill Kubrick after completing the fake film?

The CIA orders Kubrick's elimination to prevent any leaks about the fake moon landing conspiracy. They view this as a necessary safeguard to protect the government's reputation and national security. Kidman never completes this task, as Kubrick was never actually involved in the scheme.

Foreshadowing: This order is given at the beginning when Kidman receives his secret mission parameters.

  • CIA
  • Kubrick
  • kill
  • orders
  • elimination
Q9

Who is Renatus and what role does he play in the film production?

Renatus is an avant-garde filmmaker who runs a commune-like mansion. When Jonny claims he knows a director who can help, Renatus is brought in under the false impression that he's working on an art project. He insists on turning the fake moon landing into a performance art piece, causing further delays and confusion.

Foreshadowing: Jonny's desperation to find a real director after the initial scam leads them to Renatus.

  • Renatus
  • director
  • avant-garde
  • film
  • art project
Q10

Why does Kidman lie to Jonny about surviving the shooting?

After the shootout, Kidman tells Jonny that his astronaut suit absorbed the bullet and that Jonny's brave action saved his life. This compassionate lie marks Kidman's character development, showing his shift away from violence toward genuine human connection and friendship.

Foreshadowing: Kidman's transformation throughout the film, especially after his bad trip, makes this moment emotionally significant.

  • Kidman
  • Jonny
  • lie
  • survival
  • friendship
  • transformation
Q11

What causes Kidman's bad trip and what does he reveal during it?

After accidentally consuming opium-laced marijuana, Kidman takes LSD provided by Ella in an attempt to recover, which sends him into a disorienting bad trip. During this psychedelic experience, he confides to Ella and Leon that he no longer wants to resolve his issues with violence, marking a turning point in his character.

Foreshadowing: This moment foreshadows Kidman's later decision to lie to Jonny about surviving.

  • Kidman
  • LSD
  • bad trip
  • opium
  • Ella
  • confession

Movie threads

More Movies Like Moonwalkers, by Mood & Story

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

Paranoid Conspiracy Comedies like Moonwalkers

Absurd missions and high-stakes deceptions collide with chaotic, dark humor. If you liked the chaotic energy and dark humor of Moonwalkers, explore more movies about faking history and government plots. These films share a similar vibe of tense, absurd missions carried out by incompetent characters, resulting in a uniquely paranoid and hilarious viewing experience.

  • paranoid
  • absurd
  • tense
  • anxious
  • chaotic
  • darkly comedic
  • Tone: tense, darkly comedic, absurd
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically involve a seemingly simple, audacious plan—like a fake landing or a heist—that spirals out of control due to incompetent participants and external pressures from criminals or authorities. The narrative is driven by a series of misunderstandings, close calls, and violent confrontations, all undercut by the fundamental absurdity of the situation.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core mix of tense, high-stakes conspiracy plots with a pervasive sense of absurdity and dark comedy. The pacing is fast, the tone is anxious and paranoid, and the characters are often in over their heads, creating a coherent experience of chaotic fun and genuine peril.

Movies with Chaotic Duos on Absurd Missions like Moonwalkers

Mismatched partners are forced together for a high-risk, ridiculous scheme. Fans of Moonwalkers will enjoy other films about mismatched partners thrown into crazy schemes. These stories capture the same dynamic of a stressed professional and a hapless hustler navigating a world of crime and espionage with fast pacing, dark comedy, and an ambiguous outcome.

  • chaotic
  • mismatched
  • frantic
  • comedic
  • tense
  • unlikely duo
  • Tone: tense, whimsical, character-driven
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around an unlikely duo—often a straight-laced authority figure and a freewheeling rogue—whose forced collaboration drives the plot. Their journey is linear but filled with obstacles stemming from their incompetence and mutual distrust, building towards a climax where success is achieved through sheer luck or accidental brilliance, leaving their future uncertain.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are connected by their central character dynamic and the type of mission they undertake. They share a fast pace, a mix of tense and whimsical tones, and a moderate complexity from balancing personal conflict with the overarching chaotic plot, creating a specific and enjoyable subgenre of comedic thrillers.

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Every angle

Moonwalkers (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Moonwalkers 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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