Terminal USA

Terminal USA

Year: 1993

Runtime: 60 mins

Language: English

DramaComedy

Within a Japanese‑American household, the mother steals morphine from her terminally ill grandfather, the absent‑minded sister sleeps with the family lawyer, one brother maintains perfect grades while secretly pursuing a skinhead lover, and the other brother battles addiction. Over a single evening, these tangled secrets and dysfunctional behaviors drive the family toward collapse.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Terminal USA (1993)

Trace every key event in Terminal USA (1993) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Katsumi is beaten by skinheads

Katsumi is ambushed by two skinheads in their car. They beat him, hurl racist slurs, and demand money back for the drugs they claim are faulty.

early neighborhood street
2

Katsumi learns about college acceptance

Katsumi's mother informs him that he has been accepted to the local community college. He responds with apathy, showing little interest in starting college.

shortly after the assault home
3

Ma pushes Katsumi to imitate his siblings

Ma pressures Katsumi to be more like Holly, the popular cheerleader, and Marvin, the studious nerd. She contrasts their paths with Katsumi's current attitude.

after the news home
4

Holly's sabotage plan is revealed

Holly learns via a phone call from Muffy that she wrote a letter to the principal to get Sally kicked off the cheer squad, signing Holly's name. The revelation exposes the scheme and its potential fallout.

soon after Holly's room
5

Tom Sawyer reveals the claim and the need for Grandpa's death

A wealthy lawyer named Tom Sawyer arrives with proof that Grandpa was exposed to deadly chemicals by a former employer. He explains they must have Grandpa dead before they can cash out on the claim.

evening living room
6

Ma siphons Grandpa's morphine

Ma tells Grandpa she would never kill him for money, yet she secretly siphons his morphine and uses it for herself. The moment underscores the family's desperation and moral corruption.

same evening Grandpa's room
7

Holly corners Tom with a bathroom threat

Holly lures Tom Sawyer into the bathroom and sharpens his pencil, signaling a threat. The moment foreshadows violent consequences for the schemer.

shortly after bathroom
8

Katsumi and Eightball confront Fagtoast; Katsumi is shot

Katsumi and Eightball plan to collect money from Fagtoast; Fagtoast follows them and shoots Katsumi in the leg, escalating the danger they face.

soon after meeting spot near Katsumi's home
9

Dad's racist letter and apocalyptic mood grows

Dad returns home complaining about a racist letter from his coworkers and quits his job. He warns that the apocalypse is near, and the family must start preparing, worrying Ma about finances.

evening home
10

Marvin seeks escape with cocaine

Marvin calls a phone sex operator and selects a 'well muscled skinheads' fantasy. Katsumi offers him cocaine, and the tension in the house mounts as his stress rises.

later Katsumi's room
11

Katsumi dies and the confrontation escalates

Fagtoast confronts Katsumi and Eightball upstairs, threatening to shoot them. Katsumi bleeds out before the trigger can be pulled, while Marvin's cocaine-fueled rage erupts and the scene spirals toward violence.

climax Katsumi's house
12

Cross burnings, shooting, and Eightball's escape

Skinheads light a burning cross in the front yard and barge into the house, searching for Katsumi's money. Dad shoots one intruder, Eightball stabs Fagtoast in the eye, and she teleports away with Katsumi's body on her mother ship.

climax front yard / Katsumi's house
13

Holly leaves with Tom Sawyer for New York

Tom Sawyer's car pulls up outside; Holly runs out to meet him, accidentally colliding with Rex who had come to profess his love. She chooses to get in the car with Tom and they drive away to New York, where he plans to traffic her and produce child sexual abuse material.

end outside Holly's house

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:51

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Terminal USA Summary

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Terminal USA Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Terminal USA

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Terminal USA

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