Newness (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Gabi left because she discovered photos of Martin's late partner Bethany and an enigmatic young girl in the house. When she confronted Martin about his mother's dementia and the mystery child, he accused her of being nosy and intrusive. This argument about his hidden past and his unwillingness to open up about his family's struggles made Gabi feel disconnected from him, leading to her abrupt exit.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Martin had kept details about his life private, foreshadowing his reluctance to share painful family history.

• gabi
• martin
• family visit
• argument
• photos
• dementia

After attending a lavish dinner together and feeling the pressure of their intensifying connection, both Martin and Gabi agreed to an unconventional open relationship. They hoped this arrangement would allow them to explore their desires freely without guilt, embracing newfound freedoms in their relationship. However, this decision ultimately created jealousy and emotional complications for both of them.

Foreshadowing: The movie establishes early on that both characters were searching for connections through dating apps, suggesting they were still exploring what they wanted from relationships.

• open relationship
• monogamy
• agreement
• exploration
• freedom

Gabi became increasingly captivated by Larry after meeting him at a lavish dinner hosted by her friend Blake. Larry lavished her with attention and gifts, including an expensive necklace, which created a stark contrast to the emotional complexity she experienced with Martin. As her feelings for Martin grew complicated due to his lingering connection with Bethany, Gabi found comfort and luxury in Larry's affection, leading her to pursue a relationship with him.

Foreshadowing: During the dinner scene, Gabi's intrigue with Larry is evident, setting the stage for her gradual shift toward him.

• larry
• gabi
• boss
• relationship
• attraction
• gifts

While looking through old memories, Martin stumbled upon videos of his late partner Bethany. These videos stirred up lingering feelings and unresolved emotions from his past relationship. The encounter intensified his emotional confusion and created distance between him and Gabi, as he was still processing his grief and attachment to Bethany while trying to build a new relationship.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of Bethany's photos earlier in the story established that Martin had not fully moved on from his past.

• martin
• bethany
• videos
• memories
• past
• grief

At Larry's grand party, Gabi asked him to uninvite her friend Blake, but Larry firmly refused and reprimanded her for perceived immaturity. Feeling undervalued and frustrated, Gabi left the party and lost herself in a nearby nightclub. Overwhelmed by emotions and guilt, she sent a tearful message to Martin, revealing her emotional turmoil and prompting her to reflect on her true feelings.

Foreshadowing: Gabi's growing discomfort with Larry's behavior and her secret connection to Martin had been building throughout the film.

• gabi
• party
• message
• martin
• tears
• nightclub

After her night at the nightclub and sending the tearful message, Gabi visited Martin the next day. He expressed that he was uncomfortable with their open relationship arrangement and couldn't continue as things were. This candid conversation made Gabi realize her heart belonged to Martin, not Larry. She understood that her connection with Martin was deeper than the excitement and luxury Larry offered, leading her to abandon Larry and recommit to Martin.

Foreshadowing: Gabi's tearful message already hinted at her unresolved feelings for Martin before this confrontation.

• gabi
• martin
• choice
• love
• commitment
• larry

After experiencing jealousy upon learning about Gabi's involvement with Larry and confronting his own lingering feelings for Bethany, Martin realized the open relationship was causing him more pain than freedom. When Gabi returned to him after the party, he honestly expressed that he couldn't continue with their current arrangement. This moment marked his shift toward wanting commitment and monogamy, ultimately leading their reconciliation.

Foreshadowing: Martin's discomfort was foreshadowed when he revisited Bethany's videos and felt uneasy about the emotional distance between him and Gabi.

• martin
• open relationship
• jealousy
• comfort
• monogamy
• commitment

Larry had been lavishing Gabi with gifts, including an expensive necklace that she decided to hide from Martin. When tensions rose after Gabi discovered exchanges between Martin and Bethany, she also found Larry's necklace. The discovery symbolized her secrets and emotional infidelity, intensifying their conflict. The hidden gifts represented the growing divide between them and became a focal point of their argument about trust and honesty.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes showed Gabi accepting Larry's gifts while keeping them secret, foreshadowing the eventual revelation.

• necklace
• larry
• gift
• secrets
• conflict
• trust

Larry offered Gabi the opportunity to embark on a two-year journey across Europe, presenting it as an adventure and a chance for her to reconnect with her Spanish roots while exploring new horizons. This invitation came at a pivotal moment when Gabi was grappling with her complicated feelings for both Martin and Larry. The trip represented stability and excitement, but ultimately Gabi chose not to go, realizing her emotional attachment was to Martin.

Foreshadowing: Gabi's background as someone from Spain made this offer particularly meaningful, as it connected to her identity and past.

• larry
• europe
• travel
• invitation
• adventure
• roots

Martin unexpectedly encountered Bethany, who had come to terms with her own life and found peace. Through their heartfelt exchange, they achieved closure on their shared history. This meeting allowed Martin to let go of lingering regrets and guilt about their past, freeing him to fully embrace his relationship with Gabi. The encounter was peaceful rather than dramatic, representing an important step in Martin's emotional journey.

Foreshadowing: Martin's unresolved feelings for Bethany had been creating tension throughout the film, making this closure essential for his character arc.

• martin
• bethany
• closure
• meeting
• peace
• past