Ruby Red (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Gwendolyn actually carries the time-travel gene, not Charlotte. Despite Charlotte being one day older and having been prepared her whole life as the supposed Ruby, it is Gwendolyn who possesses the inherited genetic mutation. This revelation shocks both families, as Charlotte had been groomed for this role and was celebrated at her birthday party as the chosen time traveler.

• time travel gene
• inheritance
• genetic mutation
• ruby
• montrose family

The Chronograph is a powerful device that the Order of Count Saint Germain could use to control time travel. Previous time travelers Lucy Montrose and Paul stole the Chronograph out of fear of its destructive potential, and they are pursued throughout the film by hooded attackers who want to reclaim it. Completing the device requires blood samples from all past carriers of the time-travel gene.

• chronograph
• time travel device
• order of saint germain
• lucy montrose

The prophecy identifies Gwendolyn as the Ruby, the final piece in a circle of twelve time travelers. In 1942, Gwen and Gideon discover the prophecy foretells her icy death in the snow, which would complete the circle of twelve travelers. The final fragment of the prophecy is missing, creating uncertainty about her fate.

Foreshadowing: The opening chase scene establishes the urgency around the time travelers and hints at the dangerous prophecy.

• ruby prophecy
• time travelers circle
• icy death
• 1942 prophecy

Gideon has known Charlotte for years as they both trained as carriers of the time-travel gene. He was drawn to her because Charlotte was presented as the Ruby and the prophesied time traveler. Additionally, the Order warned about romantic entanglements between rival time-traveling families, making Gwen's growing connection to Gideon complicated from the start.

• gideon
• charlotte
• order of saint germain
• time traveler romance

While traveling back from 1782, Gwen and Gideon's carriage is attacked in Hyde Park. During the attack, Gwen uses her time-travel abilities to save Gideon's life, demonstrating her growing control over her powers. This act of courage makes Gideon rethink his loyalty to the Order and shifts his feelings toward Gwen.

• hyde park attack
• gideon saved
• carriage attack
• 1782

The magic of the raven is Gwendolyn's ability to see ghosts, which she inherits from her family. Throughout the film, Gwen sees the ghost of a little boy who helps her realize that Lucy's talisman is the key to surviving her prophesied death. At the ball, Gwen discovers through a family photo that the ghost boy is her grandfather's deceased brother.

Foreshadowing: Gwen begins seeing ghosts shortly after her first time jump, establishing this ability early in the story.

• magic of the raven
• ghost
• see ghosts
• family magic
• talisman

After reading the prophecy foretelling Gwen's icy death, Falk de Villiers quotes it to discourage rescue attempts. However, Gideon defies the Order's orders and carries Gwen to safety, pledging to protect her no matter what. His choice represents a shift from blind obedience to the Order toward following his own moral compass and love for Gwen.

Foreshadowing: Gideon's doubt about the Order's rules grows after Gwen saves his life in Hyde Park.

• gideon defies order
• save gwen
• prophecy rescue
• hospital scene

Lucy Montrose and Paul, previous time travelers, stole the Chronograph because they feared its power. They believed the Order would use it dangerously, so they took the device and went into hiding. The film opens with them being chased by hooded attackers seeking to reclaim it, and they continue to warn Gwen about the Order's true intentions throughout the story.

• lucy montrose
• paul
• steal chronograph
• previous travelers

The Count of Saint Germain is a mysterious, centuries-old figure who can read minds. He leads the Order and probes Gwen about the Ruby's true power. In 1782, he warns her not to break the unwritten rules of time travel. In the 1942 prophecy scene, his spirit confronts Gwen about her fate, suggesting he has lived through many timelines and possesses ancient knowledge.

• count of saint germain
• mind reader
• order leader
• 1782 meeting

Gwen sees the ghost of her grandfather's younger brother throughout the film because she possesses the "magic of the raven" - an inherited ability to see spirits. This ghost helps Gwen realize that Lucy's talisman is the key to surviving her prophesied death in the snow. The spectral presence is revealed to be part of Gwen's unique family gift.

Foreshadowing: Gwen's ability to see ghosts begins immediately after her first uncontrolled time jump.

• ghost boy
• grandfather brother
• see spirits
• family gift

Charlotte becomes resentful because she was prepared her entire life to be the Ruby and the center of the Order's attention, only to be replaced by Gwen. She taunts Gwen about her growing closeness with Gideon and enlists a teacher secretly loyal to the Order to undermine Gwen's progress. Charlotte's jealousy drives her to work against Gwen rather than accept the truth about the inheritance.

• charlotte montrose
• jealousy
• ruby replacement
• antagonist

In 1942, Gwen and Gideon access the Order's hidden records and discover the prophecy foretelling Gwen's icy death in the snow. Security guards interrupt them, and during the chase, Gwen falls from a high observatory tower into a snowy courtyard, bleeding unconscious. The Count appears in spirit form to challenge her fate, but the ghost boy helps her realize Lucy's talisman can save her.

• 1942 observatory
• prophecy
• snow fall
• icy death
• talisman