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Timeline

Sisters (2015) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2015 · 118 min · French
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Directed by
Jason Moore
Starring
Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Ike Barinholtz
Budget
$30M

Three French-Algerian sisters, estranged for decades, return to their homeland to search for their missing brother. The journey forces them to confront a difficult childhood and unravel long-held family secrets. As they navigate their complicated past, they must overcome their differences and ultimately face the truth about their shared history and the reasons for their separation.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Sisters
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Sisters Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Sisters (2015) 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. Maura's Awkward Encounter

    The film opens with Maura Ellis, a divorced nurse, mistakenly believing she is about to help a homeless man. Her embarrassment escalates when she realizes he is merely returning to work with his friends, leaving her feeling awkward and out of place.

    Where
    Street
  2. Family Home Sale

    Maura connects with her parents, Bucky and Deanna, over Skype. During the call, she learns that they are preparing to sell their family home, which deeply saddens her as they request her to break the news to her sister Kate.

  3. Kate's Job Trouble

    Meanwhile, Kate is working from home when a chaotic incident leads her to ruin her client, Phil's, eyebrows just before his date. This mishap triggers her firing after a heated argument with her boss.

    Where
    Home
  4. Sisters Reunite

    Later, Kate visits Maura in Florida, brainstorming a plan for her to move back in. This moment signifies a fresh start as they both attempt to rebuild their lives together after recent setbacks.

    Where
    Maura's home in Florida
  5. Unexpected Encounter

    While stopping at a liquor store, Maura and Kate run into Dave, a former classmate who they both dislike. His awkward flirting adds a touch of humor to their day, reinforcing their bond amidst life's troubles.

    Where
    Liquor Store
  6. House Sold

    Upon returning home, the sisters are met with the shocking sight of a 'sold' sign on their family house. Kate is particularly furious, feeling blindsided by their parents’ decision to finalize the sale without her input.

    Where
    Family Home
  7. A Nostalgic Discovery

    As Maura and Kate sort through their childhood belongings, they stumble upon their old diaries. This discovery leads them to reflect on lost opportunities, particularly the regrets surrounding Maura's lack of a 'big night' in their shared bedroom.

    Where
    Family Home
  8. The Party Plan

    Motivated by nostalgia, the sisters decide to host a final party in their family home before it changes owners. They begin curating a guest list of friends from high school, deliberately excluding Brinda and Alex, two classmates with whom they have had rocky relationships.

    Where
    Family Home
  9. Unexpected Guests

    While preparing for the party at a grocery store, they run into Brinda, who confronts them about the lack of an invitation. This encounter escalates the tension as old grudges resurface leading up to the party.

    Where
    Grocery Store
  10. Preparations and Invitations

    The sisters confront the new homeowners, the Geernts, poking fun at their plans for the house. After enjoying a pampering session, Maura's generous spirit prompts her to invite Hae-Woo and her friends to the bash.

    Where
    Family Home
  11. Kate's Job Hunt

    In a bid to regain their footing, Maura encourages Kate to apply for a job at a local salon. However, Kate is turned down due to her unprofessional appearance, adding another setback to her struggles.

    Where
    Local Salon
  12. Tensions Rise

    The evening of the party arrives, and while many of their classmates attend, the overly jovial Alex fails to energize the atmosphere. The mood shifts drastically when a rowdy group of lesbians arrives, bringing life to the gathering.

    Where
    Family Home
  13. Chaos Unfolds

    As the celebration continues, a series of mishaps and poor choices lead to chaos, influencing the events of the evening. Notably, the arrival of Dave's eccentric drug dealer Pazuzu contributes to the tumultuous atmosphere.

    Where
    Family Home
  14. Confrontations and Fractures

    In a climactic moment, Kate receives a harsh comment from her daughter Haley, triggering her to seek solace in alcohol. This leads to a physical confrontation between the sisters, revealing deep-seated frustrations.

    Where
    Family Home
  15. A New Beginning

    After facing the consequences of their wild night, Maura and Kate come together to reconcile with each other and their parents. Fast forward to Christmas, the sisters’ bond is evident as they share a joyous reunion, showcasing personal growth and the deepening of their relationship.

    When
    Four months later
    Where
    Parents' Home

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 05:15

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Timeline questions answered

Sisters Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Sisters (2015): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why are Maura and Kate's parents selling the house?

Maura's parents, Bucky and Deanna, decide to sell their family home to downsize. They ask Maura to break the news to Kate because they know she'll react poorly to the sale, which is confirmed when Kate throws a tantrum upon learning the house has already been sold.

  • parents
  • selling house
  • family home
  • bucky
  • deanna
Q2

Why does Kate lose her job as a stylist?

Kate is fired after getting into an explosive argument with her boss. The incident occurs during a session with a client named Phil, when she accidentally ruins his eyebrows just before his date, adding to her stressful day.

  • kate
  • job
  • stylist
  • fired
  • phil
Q3

Why do Maura and Kate decide to host a party?

While sorting through their old belongings in their childhood bedroom, they discover their old diaries and Kate expresses regret that Maura never had her 'big night' in their shared bedroom. This prompts them to throw one final bash before the house changes owners.

Foreshadowing: The diaries they find earlier hint at their desire to reclaim lost memories from their childhood.

  • party
  • house
  • diaries
  • childhood
  • kate
  • maura
Q4

Who is Pazuzu and why does he show up at the party?

Pazuzu is a drug dealer who arrives at the party with Dave, a former classmate whom Maura and Kate dislike. Dave brings Pazuzu to the gathering, and his presence contributes to the escalating chaos of the evening.

  • pazuzu
  • dave
  • drug dealer
  • party
Q5

Why do Maura and Kate get into a physical fight?

The sisters' confrontation is triggered by multiple factors building up throughout the night. Kate receives harsh criticism from her daughter Haley, which leads her to drink heavily. The accumulated frustrations from the chaotic party, past grievances, and the stress of their parents' decisions culminate in a physical altercation.

Foreshadowing: Tensions rise gradually throughout the party as mishaps pile up and alcohol flows.

  • kate
  • maura
  • fight
  • haley
  • confrontation
Q6

What happens to the house after the wild party?

The party causes significant damage to the family home, including the destruction of a precious family tree and a pool that collapses into a sinkhole. Bucky and Deanna demand that Maura and Kate restore the house as consequences for their reckless behavior.

  • house
  • damage
  • tree
  • sinkhole
  • pool
Q7

How do Maura and Kate reconcile after their fight?

After facing the consequences of their wild night and working together to restore the house with help from their friends, Maura and Kate reconcile. Their shared struggle to fix the damage and support from each other helps them overcome their differences and strengthen their bond.

  • reconcile
  • sisters
  • bond
  • forgiveness
Q8

Does Maura end up with James?

Yes, Maura finds the courage to pursue a relationship with James, the handsome man she met earlier in the movie. After inviting him to the party, they share a sweet moment culminating in a kiss, indicating the start of a romantic connection.

  • maura
  • james
  • relationship
  • kiss
Q9

Why does Kate react so strongly to the house being sold?

Kate reacts with a tantrum because she feels blindsided by her parents' decision to finalize the sale without her input. The house represents their shared childhood memories, and learning that it was already sold while almost all their childhood belongings had been cleared out triggers her frustration.

  • kate
  • house
  • sale
  • parents
  • tantrum
Q10

What happens at the Christmas reunion in the ending?

Fast forward four months to Christmas, Maura and Kate arrive at their parents' home for the holiday. They embrace warmly, symbolizing their growth and renewed bond. The movie ends with the sisters breaking into a silly dance together, showcasing their joy and the strengthening of their relationship.

  • christmas
  • ending
  • reunion
  • dance

Movie threads

More Movies Like Sisters, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with chaotic sibling reunions like Sisters

Estranged siblings collide in a whirlwind of comedic mishaps and heartfelt reconciliation. If you enjoyed the comedic chaos and heartfelt reconciliation in Sisters, you'll love these movies about estranged siblings. Discover films that capture the raucous energy and emotional core of family members forced to overcome their differences through a series of hilarious and messy events.

  • comedic chaotic
  • sibling rivalry
  • heartwarming
  • raucous
  • nostalgic
  • family drama
  • Tone: light, comedic, heartwarming
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically begin with a catalyst that forces estranged siblings to reunite, often in a familiar setting like their childhood home. The narrative is driven by their clashing personalities and unresolved past, leading to escalating comedic situations that gradually peel back layers of hurt, culminating in a climactic confrontation and a hopeful resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific blend of fast-paced, slapstick humor rooted in family dynamics and a sincere, heartwarming emotional arc focused on reconciliation. The experience balances laugh-out-loud chaos with genuine moments of connection.

Movies about one last chaotic party like Sisters

A single, epic party becomes a catalyst for personal change and confronting the past. Fans of the epic house party in Sisters will enjoy these films where a single night of celebration spirals into life-changing chaos. Find similar comedies and dramas where a party acts as a pressure cooker for characters to confront their past and redefine their futures.

  • house party
  • midlife crisis
  • letting go of the past
  • raucous
  • comedic chaotic
  • cathartic
  • Tone: light, raucous, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, escalating
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative revolves around the planning and execution of a major party, which quickly escalates beyond control. The party's chaotic events act as a metaphor for the characters' internal turmoil, forcing long-avoided issues to the surface. The night's events lead to a climax of destruction and truth-telling, followed by a morning-after reckoning and a clear new beginning.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies that use the structure of a single, chaotic social event as the engine for character development and plot. The shared experience is one of escalating mishaps, cathartic revelations, and a tone that blends raucous humor with meaningful personal growth.

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Movies Like Sisters

Similar movies to Sisters: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Sisters

Sisters appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

Sisters (2015) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Sisters 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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