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Timeline

Phantom Boy (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 84 min · French
Directed by
Alain Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli

A young boy named Leo exists between the physical and spectral realms, his body hospitalized while his spirit wanders as a phantom. He unexpectedly joins forces with a hardened detective, Alex, to combat a dangerous gangster threatening to plunge the city into turmoil. Together, the unlikely pair must navigate a world of shadows and danger to restore balance and bring order back to their surroundings.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Phantom Boy
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Phantom Boy (2016)

Where can you watch Phantom Boy? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Phantom Boy Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Phantom Boy (2016) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Leo's Diagnosis

    At only 11 years old, Leo learns the devastating news of his cancer diagnosis. This life-changing moment forces him to confront his illness, but he finds solace and a unique connection with his younger sister, Lily.

  2. Discovery of the Phantom Gift

    As Leo grapples with his illness, he discovers he possesses a remarkable ability. By detaching his spirit from his body, he can levitate and glide through the air, entering a state he calls a 'Phantom', which offers him a temporary escape from his suffering.

  3. Tanner's Demotion

    Meanwhile, NYPD Lieutenant Alex Tanner finds himself demoted after a disastrous incident during a burglary arrest. Assigned lowly tasks by Captain Simon, Tanner struggles to cope with his unfulfilled potential and the disdain of his peers.

    Where
    NYPD Headquarters
  4. Leo's Hospital Visit

    As Leo's condition deteriorates, he is rushed to the hospital for urgent evaluation. In a poignant moment, he mourns the loss of his hair while he watches his mother's heartbreak, reflecting the heavy emotional toll of his illness.

    Where
    Hospital
  5. The Threat of The Face

    That night, the Mayor receives a threatening call from The Face, a disfigured individual who promises a cyber attack on New York City unless a ransom of one billion dollars is paid. This ultimatum sends shockwaves through the city and sets off an urgent investigation.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Mayor's Office
  6. Tanner's Near-Death Experience

    While pursuing The Face at the docks, Tanner encounters a near-fatal confrontation and is left for dead under a pile of crates. This critical moment becomes a turning point for Tanner, leading to an unexpected supernatural encounter.

    Where
    Docks
  7. Leo Guides Tanner

    In his ethereal form, Leo encounters Tanner and realizes he has the ability to guide him back to life. This bond forms a bridge between their worlds, as Leo's phantom helps Tanner remember the experience, differentiating him from previous patients.

  8. Collaboration with Mary Delaney

    Consulting Miss Mary Delaney, a determined reporter, Tanner learns of a tip regarding The Face's location. Eager to continue the investigation, Leo persuades Tanner to let him accompany them, despite his still-recovering state.

  9. Ambush and Escape

    Mary faces a dangerous ambush from The Face but cleverly escapes thanks to Leo’s supernatural presence and Tanner’s timely intervention. This pivotal event sets the stage for their quest to unmask the elusive villain.

  10. Mary's Capture

    The situation escalates when Mary is captured due to The Mole's errors, leaving Tanner as her lone hope. The tension rises as Tanner must prepare to confront the villains who threaten their lives.

  11. Climactic Confrontation

    In a gripping showdown, Tanner musters the strength to confront The Face's henchmen, turning the tide against them. Just as hospital security arrives, Leo's phantom reappears to lend support in this chaotic scene.

  12. Mary Disables the Virus

    As the clock strikes midnight, Mary ingeniously guesses the password to thwart The Face's cyber-attack plot. Just before he can detonate a bomb, her quick thinking allows her and Tanner to attempt an escape, highlighting the high stakes.

    When
    Midnight
    Where
    Ship Vizir
  13. The Face's Downfall

    In a shocking twist, The Face's own dog turns against him amidst the chaos. This unexpected betrayal provides Mary the opportunity to flee, while The Face faces the consequences of his own malicious actions.

    Where
    Ship Vizir
  14. Leo's Coma

    As the conflict subsides, Leo sinks into a coma, caught between his physical form and the spirit world. This tragic moment emphasizes the fragility of life and the deep connections that bind him to his family.

  15. A New Beginning

    Months later, Tanner has recovered and stands on the cusp of a new chapter, joined by Mary. He receives news of a promotion and an honor from the Mayor, symbolizing hope and a future filled with possibilities as they look out at the Manhattan skyline.

    Where
    Manhattan

Last updated: November 22, 2024 at 19:00

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Timeline questions answered

Phantom Boy Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Phantom Boy (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Tanner remember seeing Leo's phantom when other patients couldn't?

Tanner is different from previous patients because Leo deliberately chose to guide his spirit back to his body. While Leo typically helps lost souls move on without them retaining any memory, he makes an exception for Tanner since he needs his help to catch The Face. This intentional connection allows Tanner to remember the entire encounter.

  • tanner
  • phantom
  • memory
  • leo
  • supernatural
Q2

How does Leo become a phantom in Phantom Boy?

Leo discovers his phantom ability after receiving his cancer diagnosis. When his physical body is in pain or weakened, his spirit can detach and float through the air, becoming invisible and intangible to others. He names this state a 'Phantom' and learns he can travel between the physical and spectral realms.

  • phantom
  • ability
  • spirit
  • leo
  • cancer
Q3

What is the password Mary uses to stop the cyber attack?

Mary guesses the password 'Eyelids' just before midnight, using it to disable The Face's virus and prevent the destruction of New York City's infrastructure. The password is never explained, but Mary's quick thinking saves the city from the billion-dollar cyber attack.

  • password
  • eyelids
  • mary
  • virus
  • cyber attack
  • face
Q4

Why does The Face's own dog turn against him?

During the climactic showdown on the ship Vizir, The Face's dog suddenly attacks him, providing Mary with the opportunity to escape. The film doesn't fully explain the dog's behavior, but it serves as a symbolic moment where even the villain's own companion rejects his evil nature.

  • face
  • dog
  • attack
  • ship
  • betrayal
Q5

What happens to Leo at the end of the movie?

Leo falls into a coma after his spirit is pulled back to his hospitalized body during the confrontation with The Face's henchmen. He remains trapped between realms until his younger sister Lily reads to him from his favorite bedtime story. Her love and memory of him reignite his spirit, allowing it to reunite with his body and wake him from the coma.

  • leo
  • coma
  • recovery
  • lily
  • wake up
  • ending
Q6

Who is The Face in Phantom Boy?

The Face is a disfigured cyber criminal who threatens to cripple New York City's infrastructure unless paid one billion dollars. He orchestrates the entire crime from a ship called Vizir, using henchmen called The Big Guy and The Little Guy. His face is bandaged due to his disfigurement, which is how he earned his criminal moniker.

  • face
  • criminal
  • disfigured
  • cyber attack
  • nyc
Q7

How does Leo save Tanner at the docks?

When Tanner is left for dead under crates after being beaten by The Face's men, Leo's phantom finds his dying spirit and guides it back to his body. This act saves Tanner's life and creates the supernatural bond between them that drives the rest of the story.

  • leo
  • tanner
  • docks
  • save
  • phantom
  • near death
Q8

Why does Leo risk fading away as a phantom?

Leo explains that spending too much time detached from his physical body risks him fading into oblivion - permanently losing his connection to the real world and his family. Despite this danger, he continues to help others and assist Tanner because he wants to make a meaningful difference while he still can.

  • fading
  • phantom
  • risk
  • body
  • leo
  • danger
Q9

Who is The Mole and why does he help Tanner and Mary?

The Mole is a former convict on parole who Mary recruits as an ally after escaping an ambush. Despite his criminal past, he assists them in their dangerous journey to find The Face, though his mistakes later lead to Mary's capture by the villain.

  • mole
  • convict
  • mary
  • tanner
  • ally
Q10

Why was Tanner demoted in the police force?

Tanner was demoted to menial tasks after a disastrous incident during a routine burglary arrest. Captain Simon assigns him these lowly duties, leaving Tanner frustrated with his unfulfilled potential. Throughout the story, he works to redeem himself by catching The Face, ultimately earning a promotion and honor from the Mayor.

  • tanner
  • demotion
  • police
  • redemption
  • promotion
Q11

What does Leo mean when he says he has guided many people before?

Leo reveals he has helped numerous spirits return to their bodies before, including people who were on the verge of extinction. However, those people never remember their phantom encounters. His ability to guide spirits appears to be something he developed after his cancer diagnosis, possibly as a way to find purpose despite his illness.

  • spirit
  • guide
  • others
  • phantom
  • leo
  • extinction

Movie threads

More Movies Like Phantom Boy, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Phantom Boy tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Serious Themes Wrapped in Whimsical Fantasy like Phantom Boy

Movies that approach heavy real-world issues through a lens of gentle fantasy. If you enjoyed Phantom Boy's blend of childhood illness with a supernatural adventure, you'll find other movies like it here. This list features similar animated or fantasy stories that tackle heavy real-world themes with a hopeful and whimsical tone, creating a bittersweet but ultimately uplifting experience.

  • whimsical
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • heartwarming
  • supernatural
  • emotional
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often center on a vulnerable protagonist—frequently a child—facing a serious challenge. A fantastical element, such as a special power or a hidden world, provides an escape and a tool for coping or heroism. The narrative balances quiet, emotional moments with a more adventurous plot, leading to a cathartic, often bittersweet resolution.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a unique tonal balance: they are unafraid to explore sad or difficult themes but do so with a sense of hope and wonder inherent to their fantastical premises. This creates a specific, emotionally rich viewing experience that is both thought-provoking and comforting.

Unlikely Partnerships Forging Found Family like Phantom Boy

Stories where a hardened adult and a vulnerable child form an unexpected bond. Fans of the dynamic between Leo and Alex in Phantom Boy will enjoy these movies about similar unlikely partnerships. Discover other stories where a jaded adult and an extraordinary child are thrown together by circumstance, forming a powerful bond while facing a common threat.

  • heartwarming
  • tense
  • hopeful
  • unlikely duo
  • found family
  • courage
  • Tone: hopeful, heartwarming, tense
  • Pacing: steady, balanced between action and character moments
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot typically forces two characters from different worlds to collaborate, often to solve a crime or overcome a threat. The child's unique perspective or ability challenges the adult's cynicism, while the adult provides protection and grounding. Their journey is as much about emotional growth and building trust as it is about the external conflict, culminating in a strong, parent-child-like relationship.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their focus on the transformative power of an intergenerational friendship. The central relationship arc—from reluctant allies to found family—provides the emotional core, making the action or adventure plot deeply personal and heartwarming.

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Every angle

Phantom Boy (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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