Notorious (1946) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Alicia agrees to join the mission because she sees it as an opportunity to reshape her life and prove her worth. After her father's treason charges left her humiliated and she felt betrayed by Devlin's true identity as an agent, she was bitter and wanted a chance at redemption. Devlin's belief in her loyalty despite her reckless behavior gave her the motivation to accept, though she also likely wanted to escape the turmoil in Miami.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Devlin notes he overheard Alicia's private comments defending America, showing she genuinely cares about her country despite her wild behavior.

• Alicia Huberman
• spy mission
• motivation
• Devlin
• recruitment

Alicia agrees to marry Alexander because she feels unloved by Devlin, who stepped back when given the choice between his feelings and the mission. When Prescott reveals her true assignment, to seduce Alex for intelligence, Alicia sees it as a chance to prove herself valuable to the American cause, even if it means sacrificing her heart. Her engagement is partly mission-driven but also motivated by spite and emotional pain from Devlin's rejection.

Foreshadowing: Devlin's earlier skepticism about Alicia's transformation foreshadows his inability to fully trust her, which contributes to her decision.

• Alicia Alexander engagement
• Alexander Sebastian
• mission
• emotional manipulation

The mineral discovered in the wine cellar is uranium. During a meeting with Prescott, Alicia learns that the mysterious bottle they found contains this highly radioactive material, revealing that the Nazi group is involved in smuggling nuclear resources. This discovery raises the stakes significantly, exposing the true danger of the operation.

Foreshadowing: The group is described as a Nazi industrial group, which hints at their involvement in war-related materials beyond simple espionage.

• uranium
• wine cellar
• Nazi
• discovery
• mineral

Anna poisons Alicia because she suspects Alicia is an American agent sent to infiltrate her son's operation. Anna is fiercely protective of her son Alexander and his Nazi associates. By adding poison to Alicia's coffee disguised as a coffee additive, Anna attempts to eliminate what she perceives as a threat to her household and son's safety.

Foreshadowing: Anna's immediate jealousy toward Alicia upon meeting her establishes her possessive nature and sets up her antagonistic role.

• Anna poisoning
• Alexander mother
• poison
• jealousy
• betrayal

Devlin realizes Alicia is in grave danger when he notices her rapidly deteriorating health and understands that the poisoning means her cover has been blown. He rushes to Alex's residence to confront the situation and rescue her. The exact method of locating her isn't detailed, but given his position as her handler and his connection to Prescott's operation, he would have had access to surveillance resources.

Foreshadowing: Alicia's illness during meetings with Prescott signals that she is in immediate peril and that time is running out.

• Devlin rescue
• Alicia location
• confrontation
• urgency

At the end, Alexander Sebastian's fate is sealed as a captured Nazi collaborator. When Devlin arrives to rescue Alicia, Alex tries to intervene but Devlin stands firm, effectively turning him over to face justice. His involvement with the Nazi uranium operation and his household's role in poisoning an American agent ensures his capture and likely prosecution.

Foreshadowing: Alex's growing suspicion throughout the film, culminating in catching Alicia and Devlin in the cellar, sets up his confrontational final scene.

• Alexander Sebastian fate
• capture
• Nazi
• ending
• consequences

Devlin steps back because he sees Alicia's willingness to pursue Alex as evidence of her capricious nature and inability to commit. When Prescott reveals the full mission, Alicia chooses to accept it despite knowing it means pursuing another man, which Devlin interprets as her being unreliable emotionally. His professional detachment and hurt pride cause him to withdraw, allowing her to proceed with the seduction plan.

Foreshadowing: Devlin's earlier skepticism about Alicia's claimed transformation in Rio foreshadows his inability to trust her completely.

• Devlin Alicia relationship
• jealousy
• mission vs love
• emotional conflict

Alicia steals the key during a party she hosts at Alex's home. Devlin instructs her to throw the party as a cover for the theft. During the event, Alicia manages to take the key from Alex and sneaks away with Devlin to investigate the cellar. She had previously discovered that only Alex has access to the key, making this theft essential to their mission.

Foreshadowing: Alicia's earlier observation that only Alex holds the key establishes the necessity of the party as a diversion.

• key theft
• wine cellar
• party
• heist
• espionage

Alicia doesn't escape immediately because by the time she learns the mineral is uranium, she's already been severely weakened by Anna's ongoing poisoning. She's too physically frail to flee and is effectively trapped in the house under constant watch. She realizes the peril she's in but lacks the strength to act on it, which is why she relies on Devlin to rescue her.

Foreshadowing: Her declining health throughout the film, starting from the poisoning revelation, builds to her inability to save herself.

• trapped
• uranium
• poisoning
• inability to escape
• danger

Devlin overhears Alicia making private comments defending America, which убеждает him of her true loyalty despite her reckless lifestyle and angry outbursts. This private moment of genuine patriotism convinces him she's the right person for the dangerous mission, even though she appears to be a wild, careless woman who drinks heavily and throws wild parties.

• Devlin trust
• loyalty
• overhear
• patriotism
• recruitment