R.I.P.D. (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Drug Bust Discovery

Detectives Nick Walker and Bobby Hayes uncover a hidden stash of gold during a drug bust operation. This discovery ignites Nick's greed and desire for a better life for his wife, Julia.

Where

Boston

Burying the Gold

In a moment of temptation, Nick decides to bury his share of the stolen gold in the backyard, hoping to secure a future for his family. However, instant remorse sets in, prompting him to consider returning it.

Tragic Confrontation

While attempting to return the gold, Nick faces a violent confrontation during a warehouse raid. The encounter turns deadly when Bobby Hayes kills Nick to stop him from turning the gold in, marking a tragic end to his life.

Where

Warehouse

Entering R.I.P.D.

After his death, Nick finds himself in limbo and is escorted to the Rest In Peace Department by Mildred Proctor. Here, he learns of his new role to patrol the afterlife as a deceased law enforcement officer.

Where

R.I.P.D. Headquarters

Meeting Roy Pulsipher

Nick is partnered with Roy Pulsipher, a seasoned ex-U.S. Marshal with a storied past. Together, they are tasked with capturing 'Deados'—spirits stuck between life and death.

Nick's Avatar Revelation

Nick learns that R.I.P.D. agents take on human avatars that are misinterpreted by the living. Nick's avatar is revealed to be an elderly Chinese man, while Roy's is an attractive Russian woman.

Investigation Begins

The duo begins investigating a suspect, Stanley Nawlicki, who exhibits strange behavior during their pursuit. They discover his monstrous form can be triggered by cumin powder, complicating their efforts.

Confronting Nawlicki

The investigation escalates and culminates in a physical altercation where Roy pushes Nick off a building. Ultimately, Roy defeats Nawlicki with a soul-killer bullet, erasing him from existence.

Where

20-story Building

Suspicion About the Gold

Suspicious that Nawlicki may know about the stolen gold, Nick insists that Roy dig deeper into their investigation. Their pursuit leads them to Nick's former residence, where more secrets unfold.

Where

Nick's Old Home

Hayes Retrieves the Gold

Nick's former partner, Bobby Hayes, is discovered retrieving the buried gold from Nick's yard. This act raises doubts in Julia’s mind about Nick’s integrity, complicating Nick’s efforts to protect her.

Chaos at the Bus Depot

The duo tracks Hayes to a bus depot, where they confront a powerful 'Deado' named Pulaski. Their attempt to scare him backfires, resulting in a chaotic escape that captures media attention.

Where

Bus Depot

Suspension from the Case

Frustrated by their reckless behavior, Mildred Proctor suspends Nick and Roy from their investigation. She warns them about the consequences that face insubordinate agents in the R.I.P.D.

Where

R.I.P.D. Headquarters

The Staff of Jericho

The investigation reveals that the gold is part of the Staff of Jericho, an ancient artifact with the power to alter the afterlife. This newfound information intensifies their urgency to recover the gold.

Hayes' True Nature Revealed

Nick and Roy confront Bobby Hayes only to discover that he himself is a Deado. Hayes reveals his monstrous form and is almost captured, but uses his cunning to evade the R.I.P.D.

Climactic Battle

During a desperate attempt to recover the artifact, Hayes kidnaps Julia to use as a sacrifice. A fierce battle ensues where Nick fights to save Julia, but tragically, she succumbs to her injuries, leaving Nick heartbroken.

Julia's Second Chance

In a surprising twist, Julia is miraculously revived in the hospital, thanks to Proctor's intervention. After this turn of events, Nick is reinstated and Roy receives an extended time in R.I.P.D., marking a new chapter for them.

Where

Hospital

Roy's Gift to Nick

Understanding Nick's discomfort with being an elderly man, Roy arranges for a new avatar for him. To Nick's dismay, the new form is a ten-year-old girl scout, setting the stage for more unexpected adventures in the afterlife.