November Criminals (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Addison's insistence on investigating Kevin's murder stems from two interconnected reasons: Kevin was his close friend, and Addison is still grieving his own mother's death six months earlier. This recent loss makes him particularly unwilling to accept another senseless death, especially when authorities seem dismissive of solving the case. His personal grief transforms into a drive for justice that propels him throughout the investigation.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening voiceover about his mother's death establishes Addison's emotional vulnerability, which later manifests as determination to not let Kevin's death be ignored.

• Addison
• Kevin
• investigation
• murder
• justice
• grief

Kevin had become involved with Noel and D. Cash in some capacity related to drugs, though the exact nature is kept somewhat ambiguous. Noel was a former student whom Kevin had been seeing romantically. After a confrontation at a nightclub, Kevin incurred a debt or grievance with a drug dealer, which ultimately led to his murder. Kevin's parents note his secretive behavior in the period before his death, suggesting he was aware he was involved in something dangerous.

Foreshadowing: Kevin working at the bakery despite having connections to dangerous people hints at his double life.

• Kevin
• Noel
• D. Cash
• drug dealers
• nightclub

Addison agrees to the Faustian bargain because he believes it's the only way to get the name of a witness who was present the night Kevin was killed. Desperate for justice and frustrated by dead ends in his investigation, Addison sees this as a necessary sacrifice. He rationalizes that completing one drug deal won't make him a bad person if it leads to uncovering the truth about Kevin's murder.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes showing Addison's determination to find answers, including stealing Kevin's file from school, establish his willingness to take risks.

• Addison
• Faustian bargain
• drug delivery
• witness
• Noel
• D. Cash

D. Cash is revealed to be Kevin's killer. During Addison's confrontation with witness Mike Lorinner, Lorinner pulls a gun and reveals that D. Cash was the one who felt wronged by Kevin, leading to the murder. This revelation comes as Addison is filming their conversation, adding visual evidence to the truth. D. Cash, Noel, and Lorinner are all subsequently arrested for their roles in Kevin's death.

Foreshadowing: The initial witness report stating the shooter was white, combined with the cryptic hints from Noel and D. Cash, sets up the eventual revelation.

• Kevin
• D. Cash
• killer
• murder
• Mike Lorinner

The train schedule that Phoebe gives Addison represents hope for their future relationship despite heading to different colleges. Addison is going to the University of Chicago while Phoebe will attend Yale, but the schedule connecting Chicago and New Haven symbolizes their commitment to maintaining their connection. It reflects the film's bittersweet ending where characters are moving forward but choosing to carry their bond with them.

Foreshadowing: The romantic tension between Addison and Phoebe, including his confession before meeting the dealers, builds toward this symbolic gesture.

• train schedule
• Phoebe
• Addison
• relationship
• separation
• college

Addison gets suspended for one week because school officials discover Kevin's stolen file in his locker. Addison had taken the file during his investigation to learn more about his friend's life, including the revelation that Kevin was seeing a school counselor. This theft violates school policy and results in disciplinary action, though it doesn't stop Addison from continuing his investigation.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Addison accessing Kevin's file at school, establishing the risk of getting caught.

• Addison
• suspension
• school
• Kevin's file
• investigation

Mike Lorinner was a key witness to the nightclub incident that triggered Kevin's murder. He knew details about the confrontation between Kevin and D. Cash that led to the killing. When Addison confronts him with a camera, Lorinner initially tries to deflect, but when cornered, he reveals that D. Cash was the one who wronged Kevin. Lorinner pulling a gun on Addison shows he was deeply entangled in the dangerous world surrounding Kevin's death.

Foreshadowing: Noel and D. Cash specifically promise Addison the name of a vital witness from that night, building anticipation for this confrontation.

• Mike Lorinner
• witness
• Kevin
• nightclub
• D. Cash

When Addison and Phoebe confront Kevin's parents, they learn that Kevin had been behaving secretively in the weeks before his murder. His parents downplay the seriousness of the situation, even suggesting Kevin could have been involved in something sinister. This conversation reinforces the idea that Kevin was leading a double life that his family only partially understood, while also showing the parents' denial about their son's activities.

Foreshadowing: Earlier discovery of Kevin's counselor sessions and his connection to Noel hint at the secretive behavior his parents reference.

• Kevin's parents
• secretive behavior
• denial
• investigation

Addison's mother's death, which occurred just six months before the main events, casts a shadow over the entire narrative. This recent loss drives Addison's emotional intensity and his refusal to accept Kevin's murder as just another unsolved case. The grief makes him more determined to find meaning and justice, as evidenced by his final scene watching home movies with his father, showing how the loss connects to his need to hold onto important relationships and memories.

Foreshadowing: The opening home movie sequence and melancholic voiceover establish this grief as the emotional foundation for all of Addison's actions.

• Addison
• mother
• death
• grief
• emotional state
• home movies

The party at Alex Faustner's mansion serves as the setting for Addison completing his Faustian bargain with the drug dealers. This is where he performs the drug delivery in exchange for the name of witness Mike Lorinner. The lavish party, hosted by Phoebe's friend, provides cover for the illegal transaction and represents a moment where Addison crosses a moral line he previously wouldn't have considered, all in pursuit of justice for Kevin.

Foreshadowing: Noel and D. Cash specifically mention a party as the location for the exchange when presenting their bargain to Addison.

• Alex Faustner
• party
• mansion
• drug delivery
• bargain

Addison's acceptance to the University of Chicago represents a positive outcome and new beginning despite the trauma he experienced. After surviving a gunshot wound and helping bring Kevin's killers to justice, Addison receives this confirmation that his future remains bright. The acceptance letter comes alongside the bittersweet reality of his and Phoebe's impending separation for college, showing that life continues forward even after tragedy.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes establish Addison's application to the University of Chicago as a key focus during this period of his life.

• Addison
• University of Chicago
• acceptance
• college
• future