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Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) movie poster

Timeline

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 121 min · English
Echo score 44
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Directed by
Robert Schwentke
Starring
Iko Uwais, Henry Golding, Samara Weaving, Takehiro Hira, Úrsula Corberó, Calum Dench
Budget
$88M

A mysterious and troubled loner, Snake Eyes is taken in by the legendary Arashikage ninja clan after a heroic act. He begins training in their ancient traditions and develops strong bonds with his new family. However, secrets from his forgotten past resurface, jeopardizing his place within the clan and testing his loyalty as he confronts a dangerous truth.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
  6. 6 Every angle
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16 events in order · contains spoilers

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) 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. Tragic Loss

    Max Archibald, a young boy, witnesses the brutal murder of his father, a traumatic event that haunts him for years to come. This incident forces him to roll a pair of weighted dice that ultimately seals his father's fate, marking the beginning of his lifelong quest for vengeance.

  2. Transformation into Snake Eyes

    Two decades later, Max transforms into a skilled martial artist known as Snake Eyes. His relentless training and dedication to mastering combat skills fuel his pursuit of justice for his father's death.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  3. Encounter with Kenta

    In the underground fighting scene of Los Angeles, Snake Eyes meets Kenta Takamura, a wealthy Yakuza boss. Kenta offers help in finding Snake Eyes' father's killer, under the condition that Snake Eyes agrees to work for him.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  4. Refusal to Kill

    When Kenta demands that Snake Eyes kill a man named Tommy, who has shown him kindness, Snake Eyes courageously refuses. Instead, he helps Tommy escape Kenta's clutches, placing himself in a dangerous conflict with the Yakuza.

  5. Tommy's Revenge Plot

    As a rival to Kenta, Tommy is also driven by revenge and works secretly to thwart Kenta's plans to smuggle weapons. This rivalry is rooted in Kenta's earlier failed attempt to eliminate Tommy, who is vying for leadership of the Arashikage clan, a society of ninjas.

  6. Induction into the Arashikage Clan

    Grateful for Snake Eyes' help, Tommy brings him to Tokyo to introduce him to the Arashikage clan. The clan's leader, Sen, allows Snake Eyes to undertake three trials to prove his worthiness and honor their traditions.

    Where
    Tokyo
  7. Trials of Worthiness

    Under the watchful eye of mentors like Hard Master and Blind Master, Snake Eyes faces the trials designed to test him. He must demonstrate both combat skills and the purity of his intentions, navigating a complex path of loyalty and honor.

    Where
    Arashikage Dojo, Tokyo
  8. Revealing the Past

    Initially met with skepticism, Snake Eyes earns respect from Akiko by revealing the traumatic story of his father's death. This confession deepens his commitment to the clan, despite hiding his true motives.

  9. Hidden Deception Unfolds

    As Snake Eyes excels in his trials, a major revelation comes to light: Kenta orchestrated Tommy's betrayal to use Snake Eyes as a pawn against the clan. This revelation complicates Snake Eyes' loyalties and threatens to unravel his new life.

  10. The Jewel of the Sun

    Snake Eyes is coerced by Kenta to steal the Jewel of the Sun, a sacred artifact with magical qualities. As he grapples with his desire for revenge and his newfound allegiance to the clan, he faces moral dilemmas that test his character.

    Where
    Arashikage Temple
  11. The Final Trial

    During the final trial involving sacred anacondas, Snake Eyes is vulnerable due to his conflicting motives. Akiko saves him during a crucial moment, highlighting the importance of trust and transparency within the clan.

  12. Betrayal and Expulsion

    After confessing part of his deceit to the clan but not the full extent, Snake Eyes is expelled. Nevertheless, he finds himself unable to abandon his mission and returns with stolen knowledge about the temple's layout.

    Where
    Arashikage Temple
  13. Face-off with Kenta

    After succumbing to Kenta's pressure, Snake Eyes delivers the stolen jewel to him, only to face his father's killer. In a surprising moment of clarity, Snake Eyes spares the man's life, demonstrating growth and internal conflict.

    Where
    Kenta's Hideout
  14. Alliance against Kenta

    Teaming up with Tommy and a G.I. Joe member named Scarlett, Snake Eyes confronts Kenta's forces. Together, they devise a plan to thwart Kenta's malevolent schemes, which culminate in an intense confrontation.

  15. A New Beginning

    After Kenta's defeat at the hands of sacred anacondas, the clan faces a new challenge as Sen strips Tommy of his leadership role. The film ends on a hopeful note, focusing on Snake Eyes and Scarlett discussing his father's legacy and their potential futures with G.I. Joe.

  16. Post-Credits Revelation

    In the post-credits scene, Tommy is shown aligning himself with Cobra as the Baroness recruits him. This shocking twist hints at his transformation into the notorious Storm Shadow, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:38

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Timeline questions answered

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Snake Eyes refuse to kill Tommy when ordered by Kenta?

Snake Eyes refuses to kill Tommy because Tommy was the only person who showed him kindness in Kenta's organization, unlike the other men who were cruel. This act of mercy sets Snake Eyes on a path of conflict with the Yakuza but also earns him Tommy's gratitude, leading to his induction into the Arashikage clan.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the underground fight scene, Tommy treats Snake Eyes with respect, foreshadowing the loyalty Snake Eyes shows by refusing to kill him.

  • snake eyes
  • tommy
  • kenta
  • refuse kill
  • kindness
Q2

How does Kenta manipulate Snake Eyes into stealing from the Arashikage clan?

Kenta orchestrates Tommy's apparent betrayal and frames it as if Tommy betrayed Snake Eyes personally. This manipulation is designed to make Snake Eyes angry enough to cooperate with Kenta's plan to steal the Jewel of the Sun. Kenta also threatens to kill Snake Eyes' father's killer unless Snake Eyes delivers the jewel to him.

Foreshadowing: The revelation that Kenta orchestrated Tommy's betrayal to use Snake Eyes as a pawn comes after Snake Eyes has already begun his trials, showing how deeply Kenta's manipulation had infiltrated the narrative.

  • kenta
  • manipulation
  • jewel of the sun
  • snake eyes
  • betrayal
Q3

Why is Snake Eyes expelled from the Arashikage clan?

Snake Eyes is expelled after he confesses to the clan about his deception but cleverly conceals the full extent of his crimes. He stole the Jewel of the Sun and delivered it to Kenta while still keeping secrets about his true motives. The clan discovers his dishonesty during the final trial when his hidden intentions cause him to fail the test of purity.

Foreshadowing: During the final trial with the sacred anacondas, Snake Eyes becomes vulnerable due to his conflicting loyalties and hidden agenda, foreshadowing his ultimate expulsion.

  • snake eyes
  • expelled
  • arashikage clan
  • deception
  • trials
Q4

What is the significance of the weighted dice in Snake Eyes' backstory?

When Snake Eyes was a young boy named Max Archibald, he witnessed his father's murder. The killers forced him to roll a pair of weighted dice, and rolling double ones resulted in his father's death. This traumatic event gave him the name Snake Eyes and became the driving force behind his lifelong quest for vengeance against his father's killer.

Foreshadowing: The dice scene establishes the origin of Snake Eyes' name and his vengeance-driven motivation, which persists throughout the entire film as he seeks to find and confront his father's killer.

  • weighted dice
  • max archibald
  • father's murder
  • snake eyes name
  • vengeance
Q5

Why does Tommy become Storm Shadow after the film ends?

Tommy becomes Storm Shadow in the post-credits scene when the Baroness recruits him into Cobra. This happens after Sen strips Tommy of his leadership role in the Arashikage clan for using the jewel, and after Snake Eyes' actions lead to Tommy's downfall. Feeling betrayed and expelled, Tommy aligns with Cobra as his new path of vengeance against Snake Eyes.

Foreshadowing: Tommy's rivalry with Kenta and his secret operations against the Yakuza hint at his willingness to use dangerous methods, foreshadowing his eventual turn to the darker side.

  • tommy
  • storm shadow
  • cobra
  • baroness
  • recruited
  • post-credits
Q6

What powers does the Jewel of the Sun possess?

The Jewel of the Sun is a sacred artifact gifted by the Sun God to the Arashikage clan. It possesses magical abilities, and the clan has sworn to protect it without ever using its power for harm. When Kenta obtains the jewel, he becomes intoxicated by its magic and plans to use it to destroy the Arashikage clan.

Foreshadowing: The clan's reverence for the jewel and their vow to protect it without using its power establishes its importance as both a moral test and a powerful plot device.

  • jewel of the sun
  • magical artifact
  • arashikage clan
  • sun god
  • powers
Q7

Why does Snake Eyes spare his father's killer at the end?

When Snake Eyes finally confronts his father's killer, he experiences a moment of clarity and chooses mercy over revenge. This act represents his growth as a character and his rejection of the vengeance that has consumed his life. Instead of killing the man, Snake Eyes chooses a different path, which ultimately leads him to ally with the Arashikage clan and G.I. Joe.

Foreshadowing: The entire film builds Snake Eyes' journey from a vengeance-driven individual to someone who can let go of his past trauma, with each trial testing his ability to move beyond pure revenge.

  • snake eyes
  • father's killer
  • spare
  • mercy
  • vengeance
  • growth
Q8

What causes Tommy and Snake Eyes to become enemies?

Tommy and Snake Eyes become enemies primarily because of Snake Eyes' deception and theft of the Jewel of the Sun. Although Snake Eyes ultimately returns to help the clan fight Kenta, Tommy feels betrayed by Snake Eyes' actions. Additionally, Sen strips Tommy of his leadership role for using the jewel, causing Tommy to renounce his family ties and vow vengeance against Snake Eyes.

Foreshadowing: The tension between the two characters is established early when Snake Eyes helps Tommy escape, but it escalates as Snake Eyes' hidden motives and eventual betrayal come to light.

  • tommy
  • snake eyes
  • enemies
  • betrayal
  • jewel of the sun
  • storm shadow
Q9

How does Kenta orchestrate Tommy's betrayal to manipulate Snake Eyes?

Kenta deliberately orchestrates events to make it appear that Tommy has betrayed Snake Eyes, creating false evidence and manipulating circumstances so that Snake Eyes believes Tommy has wronged him. This psychological manipulation is designed to turn Snake Eyes against the clan and make him willing to steal the Jewel of the Sun for Kenta's purposes.

Foreshadowing: The timeline reveals Kenta's earlier attempt to eliminate Tommy for leadership of the Arashikage clan, establishing his pattern of using betrayal as a strategic tool.

  • kenta
  • tommy
  • betrayal
  • orchestrate
  • manipulate
  • snake eyes
Q10

Why does Akiko save Snake Eyes during the final trial with the anacondas?

Akiko saves Snake Eyes during the final trial because despite his deception, she recognizes his fundamental goodness and potential for redemption. Her intervention highlights the theme of trust within the clan and shows that even those who have strayed can be given a second chance. This act also demonstrates Akiko's compassionate nature and her belief in Snake Eyes' underlying integrity.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Snake Eyes earns Akiko's trust by revealing the traumatic details of his father's death, a confession that establishes a bond between them before his deception is fully revealed.

  • akiko
  • save
  • snake eyes
  • final trial
  • anacondas
  • trust
  • redemption

Movie threads

More Movies Like Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about fractured found family like Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins

Characters find a new family only to have their loyalties torn apart by secrets. If you liked the story of loyalty and betrayal in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, explore these movies about characters who find a new family only to have their loyalties tested by secrets from the past. These similar action dramas and thrillers feature intense moral conflicts and bittersweet endings.

  • loyalty conflict
  • betrayal
  • found family
  • identity crisis
  • moral dilemma
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, morally conflicted
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven build
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often a loner, who is integrated into a new community or family. A period of belonging and training is shattered when a secret—typically related to revenge, identity, or a prior obligation—forces the protagonist to choose between their new family and their old self, resulting in a rupture and a bittersweet conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on the 'found family' trope being actively undermined by betrayal or a hidden agenda. They create a specific emotional arc of hope, belonging, tension, and ultimately, loss, driven by character-driven conflicts rather than purely external threats.

Fast-paced martial arts origin stories like Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins

Fast-paced action films exploring a hero's violent and transformative beginnings. For viewers who enjoyed the high-stakes action and ninja clan origins in Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, this list features similar fast-paced martial arts movies about a hero's beginnings. Discover other action-packed stories with intense training sequences, explosive fights, and straightforward, driven plots.

  • action-packed
  • martial arts
  • revenge
  • training
  • intense
  • fast-paced
  • Tone: intense, suspenseful
  • Pacing: fast, action-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is a straightforward origin tale, often beginning with a personal tragedy that fuels a quest for vengeance. The protagonist undergoes rigorous training under masters of a distinct fighting style, leading to a series of escalating confrontations that test their skills and resolve, culminating in a decisive, action-heavy finale.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared core experience: a focus on martial arts action, a linear and fast-paced origin story plot, and a high level of intensity from frequent combat. The appeal lies in the visceral thrill of the fights and the classic hero's journey structure.

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Every angle

Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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