Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Year: 2006

Runtime: 147 min

Language: English

Director: Tom Tykwer

DramaThriller

In 18th-century France, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille possesses an unparalleled sense of smell, leading him to become a gifted perfumer. However, his quest to capture the scent of innocence spirals into a dangerous obsession. As young women mysteriously vanish and fear spreads throughout the city, families desperately try to protect their daughters. A cunning killer stalks them, driven by an insatiable desire to preserve the elusive fragrance of youth, leaving a trail of unsettling discoveries in his wake.

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Timeline – Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

Trace every key event in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Sentencing of Grenouille

The film opens with the sentencing of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a notorious murderer. As he awaits execution, his life unfolds through poignant flashbacks, establishing the dark tone of the story.

2

Abandonment at the Fish Market

Grenouille is abandoned at birth in a French fish market, surrounded by the chaotic and pungent aromas of fish. This defining moment sets the stage for his extraordinary relationship with scent.

French fish market
3

Life in the Orphanage

Growing up in an orphanage, Grenouille is a peculiar child, developing a superhuman sense of smell. His childhood is marked by isolation and a fascination with the myriad of scents around him.

Orphanage
4

First Journey to Paris

As a tanner's apprentice, Grenouille embarks on his first journey to Paris. The city overwhelms him with new and exciting scents, igniting his passion for fragrance.

Paris
5

Encounter with the Plum Seller

In Paris, Grenouille meets a gentle girl selling plums, who captivates him. However, in a moment of panic, he accidentally suffocates her, leaving him haunted by her scent.

Paris
6

Partnership with Giuseppe Baldini

After impressing the Italian perfumer Giuseppe Baldini with his talent, Grenouille begins a partnership that revitalizes Baldini's career. He learns the art of transforming scents into perfumes.

Perfume shop
7

The Thirteenth Essence

Baldini shares the concept of the thirteenth essence needed for the perfect perfume, telling a mesmerizing tale about a scent that once captivated all who encountered it. This story deeply inspires Grenouille.

8

Journey to Grasse

Realizing that Baldini's techniques cannot capture every scent, Grenouille sets out for Grasse. He grapples with his lack of personal scent, driving him to seek a way to create his own identity.

Grasse
9

Obsession with Laura Richis

Upon reaching Grasse, Grenouille becomes obsessed with Laura Richis, the daughter of a wealthy man. He seeks to capture her essence to create the perfect fragrance.

Grasse
10

Learning enfleurage

Grenouille secures a job under Madame Arnulfi and Dominique Druot, learning the art of enfleurage. However, his dark nature surfaces when he murders a lavender picker in pursuit of her scent.

Grasse
11

The String of Murders

Undeterred by his previous failure, Grenouille begins a chilling spree of murders, targeting beautiful young women to capture their fragrances. He successfully preserves the scent of a prostitute using cold enfleurage.

Grasse
12

Final Act Against Laura

As Grenouille prepares for his final act involving Laura, he successfully gathers a dozen scents. He ultimately tracks Laura down and tragically takes her life under the cover of night.

Grasse
13

The Execution and a Twist

Captured and facing execution, Grenouille applies his final perfume creation. As the scent envelops the crowd, they mistakenly deem him innocent, causing chaos and allowing him to escape death.

Grasse
14

Absolution and Power

In the aftermath, the townspeople absolve Grenouille of his crimes, convicting another man instead. With his perfected perfume, Grenouille realizes he holds ultimate power, yet remains devoid of love and connection.

Grasse
15

Return to the Fish Market

In a final act of desperation for connection, Grenouille douses himself in his perfume at the same market where his life began. The ecstatic crowd consumes him, believing him to be an angel, leaving nothing but his clothes and a single droplet of scent.

French fish market

Last Updated: November 07, 2024 at 22:39

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

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