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See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) movie poster

Timeline

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1989 · 103 min · English
Directed by
Arthur Hiller
Starring
Kevin Spacey, Anthony Zerbe, Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, Audrie Neenan, Louis Giambalvo

A blind man and a deaf man unexpectedly become business partners, running a newsstand together. Their lives take a dramatic turn when a murder occurs nearby, and they find themselves entangled in a baffling investigation. Relying on their unique abilities and heightened senses, they must navigate a series of comical misunderstandings and outwit a hapless detective while desperately trying to stay one step ahead of a dangerous killer.

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 See No Evil, Hear No Evil
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)

Where can you watch See No Evil, Hear No Evil? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

See No Evil, Hear No Evil Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) 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. Dave Encounters a Van

    In New York City, Dave Lyons, a deaf man, steps off the curb and momentarily hesitates upon seeing the 'Don't Walk' signal. A van drives up behind him, honking its horn, which touches off a misunderstanding that leads to a heated exchange between him and the driver.

    Where
    New York City
  2. Wally's Frustration

    Wallace 'Wally' Karue, a blind man, mistakes Dave's yelling as a challenge and attempts to confront him. His sister, Adele, intervenes, pulling him away to a subway station before he can escalate a conflict with Dave.

    Where
    Subway Station
  3. Wally's Job Interview

    After visiting the racetrack and losing money, Wally heads to a job interview, insisting on going alone. On his way, he mistakenly guides another blind man into traffic, showcasing the struggles of navigating the world without sight.

  4. The Job Offer

    Wally arrives at Dave's store to request a job. Unfortunately, Dave is distracted and does not comprehend Wally’s lip movements, leading to an explosive confrontation between the two when Wally realizes Dave is deaf.

    Where
    Dave's Store
  5. The Park Encounter

    Dave and Wally bond over ice cream in a park, exchanging stories about their disabilities. Wally shares his determination to not let his blindness define him, while Dave reveals his fear of being the center of attention due to his deafness.

    Where
    Park
  6. The Shooting Incident

    While in the store, Wally's bookie, Scotto, comes in, and a beautiful mafia hitwoman named Eve arrives. After a tense interaction, Eve shoots Scotto, leaving Dave, who is unaware of the situation, to tackle the aftermath.

    Where
    Dave's Store
  7. The Arrest

    As police think Dave and Wally are implicated in Scotto's murder, chaos ensues. Wally yells that Dave is deaf just before the police swoop in and make the arrest, raising the stakes significantly for the disabled duo.

    Where
    Police Station
  8. Planning Their Escape

    At the police station, they conspired to escape their predicament. Eventually, they manage to trick the police and flee, entering a large crowd of political protesters to evade capture.

    Where
    Police Station
  9. The Hotel Plot

    After a series of misadventures, Dave and Wally find themselves at a hotel, disguising as Swedish doctors due to a medical convention. They aim to locate the crooks who have caused them so much trouble.

    Where
    Hotel
  10. The Showdown in the Greenhouse

    In a tense showdown at Sutherland's estate, Wally distracts guard dogs while Dave climbs through a window to rescue Adele. The situation intensifies when Kirgo, one of the antagonists, dies unexpectedly during a confrontation.

    Where
    Sutherland's Estate
  11. The Gunfight

    In a twist of fate, Wally and Dave must engage in a dangerous gunfight using only their senses. This climactic moment showcases the unique struggles and empowerment of the two disabled men.

    Where
    Sutherland's Office
  12. Eve's Revenge

    Eve reveals her ruthless side by attempting to maintain control over the situation. However, her plans unravel as Dave and Wally fight back, showcasing their resilience against adversity.

  13. A Close Call with the Police

    As they escape the chaos, Dave and Wally narrowly avoid capture by police in an adventurous chase scene. This ignites a new bond between the two as they navigate the streets of New Jersey amidst unforeseen challenges.

    Where
    New Jersey
  14. Returning to the Park

    In the aftermath of their escapades, Dave and Wally find comfort in a familiar park, sharing a laugh over ice cream. The joyous moment symbolizes their enduring friendship and resilience.

    Where
    Park
  15. Full Circle

    To signify their deepening friendship, Dave attempts to return the favor from earlier by smashing his ice cream cone on Wally's head. This humorous act underscores the bond they have formed throughout their adventure.

    Where
    Park

Last updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Timeline questions answered

See No Evil, Hear No Evil Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why were Dave and Wally arrested for Scotto's murder?

Dave and Wally were arrested because the police mistakenly believed they killed Scotto. When Eve shot Scotto in Dave's store, Dave, who is deaf, was unaware of what happened and couldn't hear any instructions or warnings. Wally, who is blind, tripped over Scotto's body during the chaos. The police arrived to find both men at the scene with no clear explanation, and given Wally's significant gambling debts to Scotto, they assumed the duo committed the murder.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Scotto visited Wally to collect his gambling debts, establishing his presence as a threat.

  • arrest
  • murder
  • scotto
  • police
  • wrongful accusation
Q2

How did Dave and Wally escape from the police station?

At the police station, Dave and Wally tricked the officers by creating a distraction. They used the chaos of a nearby political protest to slip away, blending into a large crowd of protesters passing by the station. The police, focused on managing the crowd, lost track of the two men, allowing them to flee unnoticed.

  • escape
  • police station
  • protest
  • flight
Q3

What was the gold coin that Eve and Kirgo were after?

The gold coin was not ordinary currency but a room temperature superconductor, an extremely valuable scientific discovery. Scotto had accidentally dropped it into Dave's tip box earlier, which is why Eve and Kirgo pursued Dave and Wally after Scotto's death, trying to retrieve it and use it for their own purposes.

Foreshadowing: Scotto's brief visit to pay or collect debts establishes his connection to both Wally and the coin.

  • gold coin
  • superconductor
  • mafia
  • scotto
  • eve
  • kirgo
Q4

Why did Eve kill Scotto?

Eve, a mafia hitwoman, killed Scotto because he refused to cooperate with her and Kirgo. Scotto owed money to the mafia and was being hunted by them. When Eve confronted him in Dave's store, Scotto refused to give up information or cooperate, so she shot him dead to eliminate him and later attempted to recover the valuable superconductor coin he had lost.

  • eve
  • scotto
  • murder
  • mafia
  • kirgo
Q5

How did Dave and Wally locate Eve and Kirgo at the hotel?

Dave and Wally discovered Eve and Kirgo were staying at a hotel during a medical convention. The duo cleverly disguised themselves as Swedish doctors to blend in with the convention attendees. Wally used his sense of smell to detect Eve's distinctive perfume, while Dave recognized her silhouette, allowing them to track the criminals through the hotel.

Foreshadowing: Eve's perfume and distinctive appearance were established during earlier encounters.

  • hotel
  • disguise
  • medical convention
  • swedish doctors
  • eve
  • kirgo
  • tracking
Q6

What happened to Kirgo at Sutherland's estate?

Kirgo met his end during the showdown at Sutherland's estate. While attempting to kill Dave and Wally, Kirgo died unexpectedly, falling or being defeated in a chaotic confrontation. His death marked a turning point in the climax, weakening Eve's forces and contributing to her eventual downfall.

  • kirgo
  • death
  • sutherland estate
  • showdown
  • eve
Q7

Why did Eve and Kirgo pose as lawyers to get Dave and Wally bailed out?

Eve and Kirgo posed as lawyers to secure Dave and Wally's release from police custody because they needed the two men to lead them to the gold coin. Since Scotto had dropped the valuable superconductor into Dave's tip box, Eve and Kirgo believed Dave and Wally either had the coin or knew where it was. Getting them released allowed the criminals to keep close tabs on their targets.

Foreshadowing: Scotto's interaction with the tip box was shown early in the film.

  • eve
  • kirgo
  • lawyers
  • bail
  • superconductor
  • coins
Q8

Why did the police suspect Dave and Wally of the murder?

The police suspected Dave and Wally due to circumstantial evidence and their disabilities. Wally had a known gambling debt to Scotto, giving him a clear motive. When officers arrived, Dave couldn't hear their commands or explain what happened, appearing uncooperative. Wally's presence at the scene and his financial troubles made them easy suspects despite their innocence.

Foreshadowing: Wally's gambling debts to Scotto were established when Scotto visited his newsstand.

  • police
  • suspicion
  • gambling debt
  • scotto
  • disabilities
  • misunderstanding
Q9

How did Dave and Wally use their disabilities to their advantage?

Dave and Wally's heightened senses proved crucial throughout their ordeal. Wally's acute hearing allowed him to detect approaching danger, recognize voices, and navigate spaces others couldn't. Dave's ability to read lips and observe visual details helped him identify people and spot things others missed. Together, they complemented each other's abilities, turning their perceived weaknesses into unique investigative strengths.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes demonstrate Wally's listening skills and Dave's visual acuity.

  • disabilities
  • senses
  • hearing
  • sight
  • teamwork
  • advantages
Q10

Why did Dave and Wally disguise themselves as Swedish doctors?

Dave and Wally chose the Swedish doctor disguise because they stumbled upon a medical convention happening at the hotel where Eve and Kirgo were hiding. Posing as foreign doctors allowed them to move freely through the hotel without suspicion, access areas that would otherwise be restricted, and get close to the criminals to recover the stolen superconductor coin.

  • disguise
  • swedish doctors
  • medical convention
  • hotel
  • eve
  • kirgo
Q11

What caused Eve's plan to fail in the end?

Eve's plan failed because she underestimated Dave and Wally's resourcefulness and determination. Despite being disabled, the duo managed to track her to Sutherland's estate, rescue Adele, and outsmart her at every turn. Kirgo's unexpected death weakened her operation, and the police closed in during the chaos. Their teamwork and refusal to give up ultimately brought Eve's criminal scheme crashing down.

Foreshadowing: Eve's arrogance and dismissal of the protagonists' abilities was established throughout the film.

  • eve
  • plan failure
  • defeat
  • sutherland estate
  • police
  • arrest

Movie threads

More Movies Like See No Evil, Hear No Evil, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes See No Evil, Hear No Evil tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Mismatched Duo Comedies like See No Evil, Hear No Evil

Two contrasting heroes team up to solve a problem with chaotic teamwork. Find more movies like See No Evil, Hear No Evil where an odd couple embarks on a chaotic adventure. These comedies feature mismatched partners whose combined skills save the day, focusing on hilarious teamwork and growing friendships in the face of absurd challenges.

  • buddy comedy
  • mismatched partners
  • resourceful
  • chaotic
  • bonding
  • teamwork
  • Tone: light, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin with two unlikely individuals—often opposites in temperament or ability—being thrust together by circumstance. The plot revolves around their initial conflict, a series of comedic misadventures that test their partnership, and a final triumph achieved only by them learning to work as a team.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by the central dynamic of a comedic partnership. They share a focus on how differences create humor and drive the plot, a light tone that keeps stakes entertaining, and a heartwarming arc of friendship forming through shared chaos.

Funny Crime Caper Movies like See No Evil, Hear No Evil

Ordinary people get tangled in a criminal plot, leading to hilarious mishaps. If you liked the hilarious crime plot of See No Evil, Hear No Evil, you'll enjoy these comedies. They feature ordinary people caught in criminal misunderstandings, leading to fast-paced, slapstick adventures where the heroes are in over their heads but manage to outwit the bad guys.

  • slapstick
  • comedic crime
  • wrongly accused
  • chaotic
  • mischievous
  • fast-paced
  • Tone: light, mischievous
  • Pacing: fast, slapstick
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves an inciting incident that wrongly implicates the heroes or drags them into a criminal world. The plot is a chain of escalating, comedic events—chases, disguises, and close calls—where the protagonists' unique perspectives or sheer luck allow them to survive and ultimately clear their names or catch the real culprit.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films that blend crime plots with high-energy comedy. They share a fast pace, a lighthearted approach to danger, and a core premise of turning a potentially grim situation into a series of farcical and entertaining escapades.

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Every angle

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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