Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Rick Dalton was once a star of the 1950s Western TV series Bounty Law, but by 1969 his career had significantly declined. During a lunch with his agent Marvin Schwarz, Rick realizes that accepting guest roles as a villain on new network shows would brand him as a "has been" and tarnish his legacy in the industry.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Rick's career struggles, establishing the melancholic tone that persists throughout the narrative.

• rick dalton
• career decline
• marvin schwarz
• bounty law
• hollywood
• has been

While driving Rick's car, Cliff picks up a hitchhiker named Pussycat. She asks to be dropped off at Spahn Ranch, and Cliff obliges. The ranch serves as a gathering point for Charles Manson's cult followers.

Foreshadowing: This seemingly innocent act of kindness later becomes significant when Cliff returns to the ranch and encounters the Manson family members who will later attack his home.

• cliff booth
• pussycat
• spahn ranch
• hitchhiker
• manson family

Charles Manson had ordered his followers, Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Linda Kasabian, and Patricia Krenwinkel, to murder everyone in Sharon Tate's house. Their original target was Tate and Polanski's home, but after Rick confronts them and demands they leave, Atkins decides to target Rick instead, leading them to break into his house.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Manson visited Tate and Polanski's home searching for record producer Terry Melcher but was turned away by Jay Sebring, foreshadowing the danger that would later arrive.

• manson family
• tex watson
• susan atkins
• attack
• rick dalton
• sharon tate
• roman polanski

Cliff recognizes the intruders from Spahn Ranch, he had seen their backs while there. When they break into the house, Cliff springs into action, commanding his pit bull Brandy to attack and fighting off the intruders alongside Rick.

Foreshadowing: Cliff's earlier visit to Spahn Ranch and his confrontation with the hippies there establishes his familiarity with the attackers, which becomes crucial during the climax.

• cliff booth
• spahn ranch
• attack
• intruders
• brandy
• fight

Rick kept a flamethrower from his film shoot for the movie Nebraska Jim, which he filmed in Italy during his six-month Spaghetti Western career revival. During the climactic confrontation, he retrieves it and uses it against Susan Atkins.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes showing Rick's acting career and his time in Italy filming Westerns establish his collection of movie props, making the flamethrower's appearance both surprising and logical.

• rick dalton
• flamethrower
• nebraska jim
• italy
• spaghetti western
• weapon

After returning to Los Angeles from their six-month stay in Italy, Rick can no longer afford to pay Cliff's services as his stunt double and driver. They part ways amicably, sharing a final drink together before Cliff moves on.

Foreshadowing: Their separation sets up the individual storylines that converge during the climactic attack, with Cliff spending his final evening with Rick before the violence erupts.

• rick dalton
• cliff booth
• part ways
• italy
• career
• friendship

After a successful guest appearance on The F.B.I., agent Marvin Schwarz offers Rick the opportunity to star in a Spaghetti Western in Italy. Although Rick views these films as low-quality work, he accepts the offer because it represents available work in a declining career.

Foreshadowing: This decision takes Rick away from Hollywood during the planning of the Manson murders, and his return coincides with the film's violent climax.

• rick dalton
• italy
• spaghetti western
• marvin schwarz
• career comeback
• nebaska jim

Rick meets with his producer and agent Marvin Schwarz to discuss his declining career prospects. The meeting forces Rick to confront the painful reality that his days as a leading man are over, and taking guest villain roles could permanently label him as a has-been in Hollywood.

Foreshadowing: This meeting establishes Rick's desperate desire to maintain his status, which drives his interactions throughout the film and ultimately leads him to pursue connections with Sharon Tate.

• rick dalton
• marvin schwarz
• agent
• career decline
• hollywood
• meeting

Spahn Ranch serves as the headquarters for Charles Manson's cult. The nearly blind George Spahn has been manipulated by Manson into allowing the group to squat there. Cliff Booth's visit to the ranch establishes visual familiarity with the future attackers, which becomes crucial during the home invasion scene.

Foreshadowing: The ranch represents the dark underbelly of 1969 Los Angeles, contrasting with the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle depicted elsewhere in the film.

• spahn ranch
• manson family
• george spahn
• cliff booth
• hippies
• cult

After dropping off Pussycat, Cliff discovers that Clem Grogan has slashed his tire as he drives away. This confrontation escalates into a physical altercation where Cliff unleashes his frustration, forcing Grogan to fix the tire.

Foreshadowing: This aggressive encounter foreshadows the violence to come and demonstrates Cliff's capability to handle dangerous situations, a preview of his actions during the climactic fight.

• cliff booth
• clem grogan
• spahn ranch
• tire
• confrontation
• fight

On the night of the attack, Sharon Tate decides to walk to a nearby theater to watch her performance in The Wrecking Crew. This decision keeps her away from her home during the initial stages of the Manson followers' arrival.

Foreshadowing: Her absence from the house during the attack, combined with her survival, contrasts with the film's alternate history narrative where the violence is redirected to Rick's home.

• sharon tate
• the wrecking crew
• theater
• walking
• night
• attack

When Rick hears the loud 1959 Ford Galaxie arrive outside, he steps outside to confront the intruders and demands they leave. Initially, they drive off, but this confrontation prompts Atkins to change their plan and target Rick instead of Tate's house.

Foreshadowing: Rick's willingness to confront danger, despite his struggles with alcohol and his fading career, demonstrates the unexpected heroism he will display during the climactic battle.

• rick dalton
• confrontation
• manson followers
• attack
• tex watkin
• susan atkins

While at Rick's house, Cliff recalls a sparring session he had with martial arts legend Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet. This memory showcases Cliff's storied past in the action film industry and establishes his credentials as a skilled fighter.

Foreshadowing: This backstory foreshadows Cliff's ability to handle himself in a fight, which becomes essential during the violent climax when he takes on multiple Manson followers.

• cliff booth
• bruce lee
• the green hornet
• stunt double
• memory
• fight

Despite his struggles with alcohol and waning confidence, Rick lands a role as a villain in the TV series Lancer. His meaningful exchange with young co-star Trudi helps him reconnect with his talent, leading to a compelling performance that impresses director Sam Wanamaker and restores his lost confidence.

Foreshadowing: This performance represents Rick's brief career revival before his move to Italy and serves as a reminder of his acting abilities.

• rick dalton
• lancer
• tv series
• villain
• trudi sam wanamaker
• acting
• confidence

After surviving the Manson attack, with Rick and Cliff defeating the intruders, Sharon Tate hears about the confrontation and extends an invitation to Rick over the intercom to join her and her surviving guests for a drink. This gesture represents hope and connection following the traumatic night.

Foreshadowing: This moment fulfills Rick's earlier dream of befriending Tate and Polanski, symbolizing a small victory amid the chaos and violence.

• sharon tate
• rick dalton
• invitation
• drink
• intercom
• aftermath
• survival
• hope