Onward (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The visitation spell required a Phoenix gem to fully resurrect Wilden for one day. When Ian cast the spell with the only gem available, it was powerful enough to materialize only the lower half of his father's body before the gem shattered from the magical strain. The brothers needed to find another gem to complete the spell and fully restore Wilden.

Foreshadowing: The letter from their father mentioned the spell would bring him back 'for one day,' hinting at the spell's limitations.

• visitation spell
• Phoenix gem
• Wilden
• resurrection spell
• magical limitation

The Phoenix gem contained the magical energy needed to power the visitation spell. When Ian cast the spell, the gem was insufficient to fully complete the resurrection, it only had enough power to materialize part of Wilden before the magical strain caused it to shatter.

• Phoenix gem
• spell failure
• magic source

When Ian confronted Corey (the Manticore) about the map, she realized how stagnant and unfulfilling her life had become running a family restaurant instead of the adventurous tavern she once owned. In a moment of chaos and self-realization, she accidentally scared off customers and set the restaurant on fire, destroying the map in the process.

• Corey
• Manticore
• map
• tavern
• fire

Corey warned that finding the gem would awaken an ancient curse capable of destroying the city. This curse manifests as a massive dragon-shaped golem made from surrounding debris, which is summoned when Barley discovers the gem at the historic fountain. The golem is driven by anger and greed, attempting to claim the gem for itself.

Foreshadowing: Corey specifically mentioned the curse could only be vanquished with her sword, which she and Laurel acquire from a pawn shop.

• curse
• dragon golem
• Corey
• sword
• ancient magic

When the brothers reached a dead end at Raven's Point with Colt and the police in pursuit, Barley made the selfless decision to crash his beloved van into a rock formation, triggering a landslide that blocked their pursuers. This act demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice something precious to him to protect his brother and complete their quest.

Foreshadowing: Barley had previously revealed his emotional struggle with saying goodbye to their father during his final moments, showing his deep desire to make things right.

• Barley
• Guinevere
• sacrifice
• van
• landslide
• police

Ian was frustrated and overwhelmed after their dangerous journey, narrowly escaping police, pixies, and mounting obstacles. When they returned to his high school and faced another dead end, Ian lashed out at Barley, blaming him for leading them astray. However, upon reflecting on his list of things he wished to do with his father, Ian realized Barley had actually fulfilled a fatherly role throughout his life, leading to reconciliation.

• Ian
• Barley
• argument
• high school
• reconciliation
• brotherly conflict

During the battle with the dragon golem, Ian's staff falls into the ocean. However, a wooden splinter is lodged in his hand from an earlier injury. Drawing on his growing magical abilities and determination, Ian channels his magic through the splinter, transforming it into a fully functional staff to continue fighting the creature.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the journey, Ian's spell-casting skills had been steadily improving as he gained confidence.

• Ian
• staff
• splinter
• magic
• growth
• battle

The golem is defeated through teamwork. Corey arrives with Laurel, who plunges the magical sword directly into the golem's heart. This weakens the creature enough for Ian to complete the visitation spell, fully restoring Wilden's body. The team effort, magic, sword, and the completed spell, finally destroys the golem.

Foreshadowing: Corey had mentioned the sword was the only weapon capable of vanquishing the curse.

• dragon golem
• Corey
• Laurel
• sword
• battle
• defeat

After Ian completes the spell and Wilden is fully restored, Ian chooses to let Barley have the final moments with their father. This is a significant emotional gesture, as Ian realizes throughout their journey that Barley has always been the one who kept their father's memory alive and acted as a father figure. By stepping aside, Ian shows his love and respect for his brother.

• Ian
• Barley
• Wilden
• farewell
• goodbye
• brothers

Wilden is successfully resurrected for one day through the visitation spell. He gets to spend precious moments with both of his sons. After a bittersweet farewell, Wilden vanishes as the spell's time expires, but not before the brothers experience closure and learn that their father is proud of them.

• Wilden
• father
• resurrection
• farewell
• vanishes
• ending

Millennia ago, magic was prevalent in the realm populated by mythical beings, but mastering it was difficult. As technology advanced over countless years, magic gradually faded into obscurity and became a forgotten relic of the past. This sets up the movie's central theme of rediscovering magical heritage.

• magic
• technology
• forgotten
• realm
• history

Colt Bronco, the centaur police officer and Laurel's boyfriend, notices the brothers have taken off on their quest. Concerned for their safety, Colt calls for backup and pursues them throughout their journey. The chase intensifies when they reach Raven's Point, where Barley's sacrifice of Guinevere creates a landslide to block them.

• Colt
• police
• chase
• centaur
• pursuit