Shortcomings (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Ben is focused primarily on his own aspirations as a filmmaker and his personal issues rather than community activism. While Miko is passionate about representing Asian American voices in cinema, Ben seems disconnected from those concerns, preferring to live a more apolitical existence. This cultural divide highlights one of the underlying tensions in their relationship and foreshadows their eventual separation.

• ben
• miko
• asian american
• advocacy
• relationship tension

Miko finds explicit material on Ben's computer, which triggers her existing worries about his attractions and fidelity. This discovery occurs while she is already concerned about the direction of their relationship, particularly given Ben's emotional distance. The explicit material becomes a catalyst for the confrontation that leads Miko to reveal she has accepted an internship in New York.

• miko
• ben
• explicit material
• computer
• trust issues

Ben acts impulsively when Miko suggests taking a break from their relationship during a phone call. Rather than processing his emotions thoughtfully, he immediately asks Autumn out as a reactive decision. However, his attempt fails because he makes an inappropriate joke about Autumn's unconventional art, leading her to reject his advances.

• ben
• autumn
• date
• rejection
• impulse

Sasha ends her relationship with Ben after a few weeks, revealing that she was not completely single when they first started dating. This discovery shakes Ben, adding to his growing sense of instability and failure in his romantic life. The timing of this breakup coincides with other mounting challenges, including the potential closure of the arthouse theater.

• sasha
• ben
• breakup
• not single
• relationship

Alice reveals she was suspended from her program due to a clash with Nina's roommate. This conflict appears to stem from Alice's complicated situation with Nina, who wanted something more serious than Alice was willing to give. The suspension adds to Alice's personal turmoil and contributes to her decision to travel to New York.

Foreshadowing: Alice's pattern of avoiding serious commitment with Nina foreshadows the conflict that leads to her suspension.

• alice
• suspension
• nina
• academic program
• conflict

Miko has a history with Leon, a white fashion designer, and has chosen to model for him rather than start her reported internship. When Ben discovers this, he learns that Miko hasn't even begun working at the organization where she was supposed to intern. This revelation shocks Ben and deepens his suspicion and jealousy.

• miko
• leon
• modeling
• internship
• fashion designer

Ben's accusation stems from his jealousy upon discovering Miko is modeling for a white designer like Leon. He projects his own insecurities onto the situation, suggesting Leon is taking advantage of Miko because of her Asian American identity. This accusation reflects Ben's tendency to judge others through a racial lens while being blind to his own inconsistencies.

• ben
• leon
• exploitation
• race
• jealousy
• accusation

Miko confronts Ben about his hypocrisy, pointing out that he has his own racial preferences in dating while accusing Leon of exploiting her. She acknowledges her own failure to communicate about Leon but makes clear that their relationship has fundamentally failed due to Ben's double standards and lack of self-awareness. This confrontation forces Ben to recognize his own flaws.

• miko
• ben
• hypocrisy
• racial preferences
• confrontation
• breakup

While rushing toward Miko and Leon's apartment, Ben spots them enjoying time together in a café. This moment provides him with clarity about what he must do. Rather than confronting them, he chooses to let go of his past relationships and his need to control outcomes. This realization marks a turning point in his journey toward self-awareness.

Foreshadowing: Ben's pattern of spying and jealousy throughout the film builds toward this moment of acceptance.

• ben
• miko
• leon
• café
• realization
• letting go

Alice is in a serious relationship with Meredith, a professor at Barnard College. This surprises Ben when he arrives in New York, as he had not known about the depth of their connection. The relationship causes tension with Ben, who feels guilty about the discord he believes he caused between them, ultimately leading him to apologize to Meredith.

• alice
• meredith
• barnard
• professor
• relationship

The arthouse theater where Ben works as manager faces potential closure, adding to his mounting problems. This threat represents another loss in Ben's life and contributes to his feeling of hitting rock bottom. The theater's closure also symbolizes the death of Ben's artistic aspirations in a tangible way.

• theater
• closure
• berkeley
• ben
• job loss