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Simone: Woman of the Century (2023) movie poster

Timeline

Simone: Woman of the Century (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 140 min · French
Echo score 64
JustWatch #15,312 1
Directed by
Olivier Dahan
Starring
Olivier Gourmet, Lubna Azabal, Elsa Zylberstein, Bastien Bouillon, Judith Chemla, Élodie Bouchez

This film chronicles the extraordinary life of Simone Veil, a pivotal figure of the 20th century. It follows her journey from her early years through a challenging political career, set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The story highlights her resilience and courage, showcasing how she broke barriers and championed humanism, leaving a lasting impact on society and inspiring countless individuals.

Biography Drama History Cast, crew & box office
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 Simone: Woman of the Century
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Simone: Woman of the Century (2023)

Where can you watch Simone: Woman of the Century? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Simone: Woman of the Century Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Simone: Woman of the Century (2023) 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. Rodney Alcala Begins His Crimes

    In 1977 Wyoming, serial killer Rodney Alcala spots a woman in the plains and uses his charm to engage her in conversation. He learns about her painful breakup and uses this emotional vulnerability to strangle her; after briefly reviving her, he completes the murder.

    When
    1977
    Where
    Wyoming

  2. Amy's Struggle on the Streets

    In 1979, a young runaway named Amy lives on the streets in San Gabriel, occasionally stealing to survive. Rodney Alcala notices her at a motel and claims he can help her launch a modeling career by taking her photo, which Amy naively believes.

    When
    1979
    Where
    San Gabriel

  3. The Ambush in the Desert

    Rodney drives Amy to a desolate location in the desert during sunset. After a brief photoshoot, he ambushes her, leading to a brutal encounter where she fights for her life, but ultimately, Rodney overpowers her.

    When
    1979
    Where
    Desert

  4. Charlie's Encounter with Rodney

    In 1971, flight attendant Charlie moves into a new apartment in New York City. She encounters Rodney across the street, who offers to help her move furniture, unaware that this act of kindness will end in her brutal murder.

    When
    1971
    Where
    New York City

  5. Sheryl's Audition for The Dating Game

    In 1978 Los Angeles, aspiring actress Sheryl Bradshaw is urged by her agent to appear on The Dating Game. Initially reluctant, Sheryl is convinced by her friend that this opportunity could lead to significant career advancement.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles

  6. Rodney Enters The Dating Game

    As the taping of The Dating Game begins, three bachelors are introduced, one of whom is Rodney. The audience, including audience member Laura, has no idea that he is a serial killer, leading to further tension throughout the show.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles, TV Studio

  7. Laura's Growing Suspicion

    During the show, audience member Laura recognizes Rodney and relates him to her friend Alison, who was found murdered. Despite her instincts, her boyfriend dismisses her concerns, further complicating the situation as she seeks to warn others.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles, TV Studio

  8. Sheryl Goes Off-Script

    Feeling that the scripted questions on The Dating Game are sexist, Sheryl decides to deviate from the original format. This spontaneity allows Rodney to charm her, ultimately winning the date prize and setting the stage for danger.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles, TV Studio

  9. Post-Taping Drinks with Rodney

    After the taping, Sheryl accompanies Rodney for drinks. Although he initially portrays himself as charming and knowledgeable, his demeanor changes suddenly when she teases him, revealing a more menacing side.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles

  10. The Threatening Encounter

    As Sheryl tries to leave the studio, Rodney insists on walking her to her car. When she gives him a fake number, he becomes threatening, and she narrowly escapes a potential attack just in time as a group exits the studio.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles, TV Studio Parking Lot

  11. Laura Reports to the Police

    The following day, Laura approaches the police to report her suspicions about Rodney after the show. Unfortunately, her report is dismissed because she cannot positively identify him, leaving her feeling frustrated and helpless.

    When
    1978
    Where
    Los Angeles

  12. Amy's Desperate Escape

    In a shocking turn in 1979, Amy wakes up bloodied and bound next to Rodney in the desert. She plays on his emotions to gain his trust, eventually convincing him to untie her and making a successful escape at a gas station.

    When
    1979
    Where
    Desert

  13. Rodney's Arrest

    Following Amy's escape, the police are called, and Rodney is arrested for his heinous actions. Despite the mounting evidence against him and multiple testimonies, he is shockingly released on bail as he awaits trial.

    When
    1979
    Where
    San Gabriel

  14. Rodney's Continued Crimes

    Remarkably, after being released on bail, Rodney murders another woman and a young girl, showcasing his dangerous freedom. The justice system's failure to keep him behind bars leads to even more victims, sparking public outrage.

    When
    1979
    Where
    Unspecific

  15. The Final Arrest and Legacy?

    Rodney is re-arrested in 1979 after his continued crimes come to light. In 2010, an adult Amy testifies against him during a retrial, but it’s suggested that his true victim count may be as high as 130, highlighting his notorious legacy.

    When
    2010
    Where
    Unspecific

Last updated: November 25, 2024 at 19:24

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Timeline questions answered

Simone: Woman of the Century Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Simone: Woman of the Century (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Rodney Alcala released on bail despite evidence against him?

After Amy escaped and Rodney was first arrested in 1979, he was released on bail despite multiple testimonies linking him to murders, including that of a young girl. This failure in the justice system allowed him to continue killing, with experts estimating his victim count could reach 130.

  • rodney alcala
  • bail
  • justice system
  • arrested
  • release
Q2

How did Amy escape from Rodney Alcala in the desert?

Amy was bound and bloodied in the desert when she convinced Rodney to untie her by playing on his emotions, claiming she was just embarrassed. She managed to flee at a gas station and alert authorities, leading to his arrest.

  • amy escape
  • rodney alcala
  • desert
  • bound
  • flee
Q3

Why did Sheryl choose Rodney on The Dating Game?

Rodney presented himself as charming and attractive during the show, outshining the other bachelors with his charisma. Sheryl went off-script with her questions, which actually worked in his favor as he used the opportunity to appear more appealing and win the date.

  • sheryl bradshaw
  • dating game
  • rodney alcala
  • choose
  • charm
Q4

Why couldn't Laura positively identify Rodney to the police?

Laura recognized Rodney as the man associated with her friend Alison, who was found murdered at the beach. However, she could not provide positive identification to police, so her report was dismissed despite her suspicions.

  • laura
  • rodney alcala
  • identification
  • police
  • alison
  • murder
Q5

What happened to Sheryl after her encounter with Rodney?

After surviving her encounter with Rodney Alcala, Sheryl Bradshaw moved away from California and chose a quieter life dedicated to family, distancing herself from the traumatic experience.

  • sheryl bradshaw
  • california
  • family
  • life after
  • escape
Q6

How many victims did Rodney Alcala actually have?

While officially convicted of several murders, experts estimate Rodney Alcala's actual victim count could be as high as 130, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.

  • victims
  • rodney alcala
  • 130
  • murders
  • count
Q7

Why did Rodney Alcala specifically target vulnerable women like runaways?

Rodney Alcala specifically targeted vulnerable women including runaways like Amy and women he met through deception, using promises of modeling careers or fake job opportunities to gain their trust before attacking them.

  • rodney alcala
  • targets
  • vulnerable
  • runaways
  • modeling
  • deception
Q8

How was Rodney able to appear on The Dating Game despite being a serial killer?

Rodney Alcala was selected as a bachelor on The Dating Game in 1978 without the show's producers or audience knowing his true identity as a serial killer. He blended in as a normal contestant, using the platform to access potential victims.

  • dating game
  • rodney alcala
  • tv show
  • bachelor
  • hidden identity
Q9

Why did Charlie trust Rodney in New York City?

Charlie, an aspiring flight attendant, encountered Rodney who offered to help her move furniture into her new apartment. This seemingly innocent act of kindness from a neighbor masked his predatory intentions, allowing him to gain her trust before assaulting and murdering her.

  • charlie
  • rodney alcala
  • new york
  • apartment
  • move
  • trust
Q10

How did Amy first meet Rodney Alcala?

Amy, a young runaway scraping by on the streets of San Gabriel, was spotted by Rodney Alcala at a motel. He sweet-talked her by promising to launch her modeling career through a photo shoot, convincing her to accompany him to a desolate location.

  • amy
  • rodney alcala
  • san gabriel
  • motel
  • modeling
  • photo shoot
Q11

What made Laura suspicious of Rodney during The Dating Game?

Laura, in the audience, recognized Rodney as the man associated with her friend Alison, who had been found murdered at the beach. Despite her instincts, her boyfriend Ken dismissed her fears, suggesting she may have made a mistake.

  • laura
  • rodney alcala
  • suspicious
  • alison
  • beach
  • murder
Q12

What happened to Rodney Alcala in 2010?

In 2010, the now-adult Amy testified against Rodney Alcala during a pivotal trial, providing crucial testimony that contributed to his conviction. Rodney ultimately died in prison, serving as a testament to the evil he wrought and the lives he shattered.

  • rodney alcala
  • 2010
  • amy
  • testify
  • trial
  • prison
  • died

Movie threads

More Movies Like Simone: Woman of the Century, by Mood & Story

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

True Crime Survival Stories like Simone: Woman of the Century

Gripping stories of surviving predators and navigating the aftermath of violent crimes. Discover movies like 'Simone: Woman of the Century' that chronicle the terrifying ordeals of surviving violent criminals. If you were gripped by the chilling true crime investigation and the focus on survival against a predator, you'll find similar gritty and unsettling stories here.

  • true crime
  • chilling
  • tense
  • survival
  • gritty
  • investigation
  • Tone: dark, tense, unsettling
  • Pacing: variable, with intense peaks
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These films typically follow a non-fictional or realistic narrative of a violent crime, often from the perspective of the victims or investigators. The story unfolds to show the predatory tactics, the moment of confrontation or escape, and the complex, often painful, journey of seeking justice and living with the aftermath.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their grounding in true crime events, their high-tension atmosphere, and their heavy emotional focus on survival and trauma. They share a dark tone and a commitment to portraying the gritty, unsettling reality of violent crime.

True Story movie poster

True Story

2015
The Untold Story movie poster

The Untold Story

2019
Cult Killer movie poster

Cult Killer

2024
Confrontation movie poster

Confrontation

1000
Criminal Audition movie poster

Criminal Audition

2019
Season movie poster

Season

1989
Sleeping Dogs movie poster

Sleeping Dogs

2024
The Stoneman Murders movie poster

The Stoneman Murders

2009

Movies about Predatory Manipulation like Simone: Woman of the Century

Deeply unsettling explorations of psychological control and the mechanics of predation. Find more movies like 'Simone: Woman of the Century' that delve into the psychology of predators. These films focus on the chilling dynamics of manipulation and control, perfect for viewers fascinated by sinister character studies and psychological tension.

  • psychological manipulation
  • sinister
  • chilling
  • ominous
  • anxious
  • unsettling
  • Tone: sinister, dark, anxious
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a central, manipulative figure who uses charm, lies, and psychological tactics to control and victimize others. The story builds tension by revealing the predator's dual nature and the horrifying gap between their public persona and private actions, often leading to violent confrontations.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their deep dive into the mechanics of psychological manipulation from a predatory perspective. They share a sinister and anxious mood, a dark tone, and a focus on the intense, discomforting power dynamics between the manipulator and the manipulated.

The Hypnotic Eye movie poster

The Hypnotic Eye

1960
Cast a Dark Shadow movie poster

Cast a Dark Shadow

1955
Following movie poster

Following

2024
Homicidal movie poster

Homicidal

1961
Angel Dust movie poster

Angel Dust

1994
False Face movie poster

False Face

1977
Dangerous to Know movie poster

Dangerous to Know

2020
Wild Things movie poster

Wild Things

1998

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Every angle

Simone: Woman of the Century (2023) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Simone: Woman of the Century in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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