Skyscraper (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Will Sawyer was framed because the terrorist Kores Botha needed to steal the security tablet from him. Botha's thief first tried to steal it directly, but when that failed, his operative Xia infiltrated the security center and started the fire while making it look like Sawyer was responsible. This allowed Botha's men to move freely while police focused on capturing Sawyer.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Ben warned Sawyer that he was marked for death at the hands of Botha's men, hinting at the setup.

• Will Sawyer framed
• arson
• The Pearl
• Kores Botha
• security tablet

Ben betrayed Will out of envy and greed. The summary states that Ben harbored envy towards Sawyer and wanted to claim the tablet for himself. During the confrontation, Ben was fatally wounded but warned Sawyer that he was now marked for death at the hands of Botha's men.

Foreshadowing: During the security meeting, Ben's resentment was visible as he competed with Sawyer for recognition.

• Ben betrayal
• Ben Gillespie
• envy
• security tablet
• Kores Botha

The terrorists took control by first stealing the tablet with full administrative access from Will Sawyer. Xia then infiltrated the security center, eliminated the personnel there, and used the tablet's administrative privileges to hack the building's systems. This allowed Botha's men to ignite the fire on the 96th floor and disable essential firefighting resources above the 95th floor.

Foreshadowing: Zhao emphasized that the security system relied on facial recognition and the off-site security center, making it vulnerable once both were compromised.

• terrorist takeover
• The Pearl security
• Xia
• Kores Botha
• hacking
• fire suppression system

The fire was extremely dangerous because the terrorists disabled the firefighting resources above the 95th floor through their hack. This meant the advanced fire suppression systems couldn't operate, allowing the blaze to spread uncontrolled throughout the upper floors where Will's family was trapped.

Foreshadowing: During the security meeting, Sawyer specifically stressed the importance of the off-site security center that oversees the entire firefighting system.

• fire safety
• floor 96
• fire suppression
• The Pearl
• disabled systems

Will escaped by leaping from a crane onto the side of The Pearl skyscraper. While local police led by Inspector Wu mistakenly viewed him as a suspect, Sawyer used his climbing skills and courage to scale the building and reach his trapped family, abandoning the police chase entirely.

Foreshadowing: As a former Marine and ex-FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader, Sawyer's physical capabilities were established early in the film.

• Will Sawyer escape
• police chase
• crane
• climbing
• Inspector Wu

Mr. Pierce, the insurance executive, was revealed to be collaborating with the terrorists. He worked alongside Botha's men and helped thwart rescue attempts by Zhao and Okeke. His betrayal added another layer of complexity to the situation, as he had been present during the security meeting earlier.

Foreshadowing: Pierce was present during the initial security meeting with Zhao, giving him insider knowledge of the building's vulnerabilities.

• Mr. Pierce betrayal
• insurance executive
• terrorist collaboration
• Zhao Long Ji

Botha took Georgia hostage to force Will Sawyer to disable crucial security features in the penthouse. This was a calculated move to gain full control of the building's systems and prevent any interference with his escape plan. Using a child as leverage demonstrated Botha's ruthless strategy.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Botha's men had already used explosive traps to block rescue attempts, showing their willingness to use any means necessary.

• Georgia hostage
• Kores Botha
• penthouse security
• leverage
• Sawyer family

Sarah helped by using her knowledge of the building's systems to identify Botha as the mastermind. She assisted the police in uncovering crucial intel about Botha's operation, which helped them coordinate a counter-response and thwarted the terrorists' escape plan.

Foreshadowing: Sarah's presence with the family in the building gave her unique insight into its systems and the unfolding crisis.

• Sarah Sawyer
• police intel
• Botha mastermind
• counter-attack
• building systems

Botha was confrontated by Will Sawyer in the climactic showdown. After a fierce battle involving Sawyer, Zhao, and the police, Botha's fate was sealed. While the exact details of his death aren't specified in the summary, he was defeated and the family was rescued.

Foreshadowing: Botha's ruthless tactics and use of Georgia as leverage set up the final confrontation with the determined Will Sawyer.

• Kores Botha defeated
• climax
• final battle
• villain fate
• rescue

Sarah discovered a way to reboot the building's security systems, which successfully suppressed the raging fire. This technical solution, combined with the rescue of Georgia and the defeat of Botha's forces, allowed the crisis to end.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the tablet granted full administrative access to the security systems, setting up the possibility of a system reboot.

• fire suppression
• reboot security systems
• Sarah Sawyer
• The Pearl saved
• building systems