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Tesla (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 102 min · English
Echo score 65
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Directed by
Michael Almereyda
Starring
Jim Gaffigan, Lois Smith, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Josh Hamilton, James Urbaniak, Kyle MacLachlan
Budget
$5M

This electrifying biopic portrays visionary Nikola Tesla (Ethan Hawke) as he strives to realize his revolutionary electrical system. He faces considerable obstacles while pursuing a future where energy is accessible to all. The film explores his complex relationship with Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan) and a captivating romance with Anne, the daughter of J.P. Morgan (Jim Gaffigan), as Tesla's personal struggles intertwine with his groundbreaking innovations.

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 Tesla
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Tesla Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Tesla (2020) 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. Introduction to Tesla

    In 1893, Nikola Tesla and a female companion glide gracefully on roller skates while a narrator introduces the fascinating backstory of Tesla's life. The audience is drawn into Tesla's early inspirations, including a childhood moment with his cat and static electricity.

    When
    1893
  2. Tesla's Childhood

    The narration flashes back to Tesla's early life, revealing he was born in 1856 in a small Croatian village. Raised by a Serbian priest father and an exceptionally intelligent mother, Tesla's early years were rich in inspiration and education.

    When
    1856
    Where
    Croatian village
  3. Working with Edison

    In 1884, Tesla arrives in New York City and begins working under the famous inventor Thomas Edison. Despite Tesla's brilliance, Edison dismisses many of his revolutionary ideas about alternating current, leading to Tesla's growing frustration.

    When
    1884
    Where
    New York City
  4. Fallout with Edison

    Following a series of dismissals of his ideas, Tesla experiences the harsh realities of working with Edison. He playful moments and humor are overshadowed by Edison's refusal to adequately compensate him, culminating in Tesla's eventual departure.

  5. Establishing Tesla Lighting Company

    Tesla attempts to set up his own venture, the Tesla Lighting Company, but faces immediate setbacks when investors swindle him. This leads to disappointing failures, forcing him to take manual labor jobs, including digging ditches for Western Union.

  6. Tesla's Patents

    In 1885, Tesla pitches his magnetic induction motor to potential financial backers Alfred Brown and Siegfried Peck. This new partnership opens the door for more lucrative opportunities than his previous $15-a-month compensation under Edison.

    When
    1885
  7. Meeting Anne Morgan

    During his innovative journey, Tesla meets the sophisticated Anne Morgan, daughter of J.P. Morgan. Their interactions begin to unfold against the backdrop of financial investments in Edison's projects, creating a complex relationship between ambition and affection.

  8. Westinghouse and Patents

    Inventor George Westinghouse acquires Tesla's patents and offers him a royalty deal for every horsepower sold. This collaboration sets the stage for a fierce rivalry with Edison, who steadfastly champions direct current over Tesla's alternating current.

  9. Edison's Demonstration

    Edison escalates the rivalry by orchestrating a shocking public demonstration featuring the electrocuted William Kemmler. This grim event illustrates Edison's desperation to validate his approach while further vilifying alternating current.

  10. World's Fair Presentation

    Tesla's groundbreaking work culminates at the World's Fair in Chicago, where he showcases the safety and effectiveness of alternating current. Despite the public's fascination and acclaim, his personal relationship with Anne Morgan remains fraught with complexity.

    Where
    Chicago
  11. Contract Disillusions

    Amid rising tensions, Westinghouse insists on a merger, prompting Tesla to renegotiate his contract. Disillusioned by what he perceives as misuse of his innovative ideas within the capitalist landscape, he symbolically tears up the contract.

  12. Collaboration with Sarah Bernhardt

    Tesla's path leads him to meet the glamorous actress Sarah Bernhardt, who contributes to Edison's recordings. This relationship introduces new tension into Tesla’s life as he struggles to balance his professional ambitions with personal connections.

  13. Supervision of Niagara Falls

    Tesla supervises the ambitious hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls, representing a significant achievement in his career. Meanwhile, J.P. Morgan probes Tesla about any potential romantic feelings for Anne Morgan, highlighting Tesla’s increasing solitude.

    Where
    Niagara Falls
  14. Pursuing Extraterrestrial Signals

    By 1901, Tesla finds himself consumed with thoughts of deciphering signals he believes to be extraterrestrial. Even as Edison faces challenges in his mining ventures, Tesla remains dedicated to his vision of democratizing energy.

    When
    1901
  15. Conclusion and Legacy

    The film concludes with a poignant montage of Tesla's lifelong struggles and triumphs. As Anne reflects on her decision to pursue a life helping children in France, she acknowledges Tesla’s profound impact and solitary passing at the age of 87.

Last updated: November 04, 2024 at 00:34

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Timeline questions answered

Tesla Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Tesla (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Tesla quit working for Edison?

Tesla left Edison because his ideas about alternating current were repeatedly dismissed. Edison refused to compensate him fairly for his work, offering only a modest salary despite Tesla's groundbreaking contributions. Additionally, Edison's personal tragedy and stubborn commitment to direct current created an insurmountable divide between them.

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Q2

What was the rivalry between Tesla and Edison about?

The rivalry centered on two competing electrical systems: Edison's direct current (DC) and Tesla's alternating current (AC). Edison championed DC as safer, while Tesla's AC was more efficient for transmitting electricity over long distances. Edison famously demonstrated AC's danger by electrocuting William Kemmler to prove his point, escalating the conflict into a public battle.

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Q3

Did Tesla have a romantic relationship with Anne Morgan?

Tesla and Anne Morgan developed a deep personal connection, but their relationship remained complicated and unfulfilled. Anne was drawn to Tesla but couldn't penetrate his emotional distance and obsessive focus on work. J.P. Morgan even questioned Tesla directly about his romantic feelings, but Tesla's dedication to his inventions prevented him from pursuing a conventional relationship.

Foreshadowing: Anne first meets Tesla during his innovative journey, setting up their complex dynamic.

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Q4

Why did Tesla tear up his contract with Westinghouse?

Tesla tore up his contract with Westinghouse because he felt his innovative ideas were being mismanaged within the capitalist system. Westinghouse pushed for a merger and renegotiation, believing it necessary for business survival. Tesla, disillusioned by what he saw as exploitation of his inventions, symbolically destroyed the agreement rather than compromise his principles.

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Q5

What happened at the World's Fair in Chicago?

In 1893, Tesla's alternating current system lit up the World's Fair in Chicago, showcasing its safety and effectiveness to millions of visitors. The event was a major triumph for Tesla, proving AC's superiority over DC. Despite this public success, Tesla's personal relationship with Anne Morgan remained strained during this period.

Foreshadowing: The buildup to the World's Fair represents Tesla's professional peak.

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Q6

Why did Tesla believe he was receiving signals from space?

By 1901, Tesla became convinced he was detecting extraterrestrial radio signals, spending years trying to decode them. This pursuit reflected his lifelong fascination with wireless energy and communication. However, this obsession contributed to his increasing isolation and financial difficulties as he sought funding from J.P. Morgan to continue his work.

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Q7

How did Tesla's childhood inspire his electrical inventions?

As a child in Croatia, Tesla experienced his pivotal inspiration while petting his cat and observing static electricity. This moment of wonder at the natural phenomenon stayed with him throughout his life. His mother, an exceptionally intelligent woman, also influenced his innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities.

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Q8

What was Tesla's involvement with Niagara Falls?

Tesla later supervised the construction of the Niagara Falls hydroelectric power plant, one of the engineering marvels of the era. This project validated his vision of transmitting power over long distances using alternating current. Despite this achievement, the role also deepened his isolation as his work consumed more of his time and energy.

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Q9

Why did Tesla die alone at age 87?

Tesla died alone at age 87 because his singular dedication to his work prevented him from maintaining personal relationships. He outlived most of his contemporaries, including Anne Morgan who moved to France to help children. His lifetime of emotional distance and his inability to balance innovation with personal connection left him isolated at the end.

Foreshadowing: The film emphasizes Tesla's emotional distance throughout his relationships.

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Q10

Why did Tesla work digging ditches for Western Union?

After his Tesla Lighting Company failed when investors swindled him, Tesla was forced to take manual labor jobs, including digging ditches for Western Union. This humiliating period came after his promising start in New York and demonstrated the financial struggles he faced despite his genius. It was during this time he continued developing his AC motor concepts.

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Movie threads

More Movies Like Tesla, by Mood & Story

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

Movies about lonely geniuses like Tesla

Stories of brilliant minds whose world-changing innovations come at a profound personal cost. If you were captivated by the melancholic portrayal of Nikola Tesla, explore similar movies about visionary inventors and brilliant minds. These films, like Tesla, often feature solitary protagonists whose groundbreaking work is shadowed by personal loneliness and a bittersweet legacy, offering a thoughtful look at the cost of genius.

  • reflective
  • melancholic
  • solitary
  • visionary
  • intellectual
  • somber
  • Tone: melancholic, reflective, bittersweet
  • Pacing: variable, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These films typically follow a biographical or fictionalized account of a genius's life, charting their professional breakthroughs against a backdrop of personal struggle, rivalry, and emotional isolation. The narrative often emphasizes the gap between public achievement and private sorrow, leading to a reflective, sometimes somber, conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the solitary nature of brilliance, a melancholic tone, and the thematic exploration of how ambition and innovation can lead to a life of personal unfulfillment, creating a coherent vibe of intellectual wonder mixed with human sadness.

Stories of ambition and rivalry like Tesla

Character-driven stories where professional rivalry and personal longing lead to a complex legacy. For viewers who enjoyed the complex dynamics between Tesla and Edison, this list features movies with similar themes of rivalry, ambition, and legacy. These films share a moderate complexity and a bittersweet feel, exploring how the drive to succeed impacts personal connections and ultimate fulfillment.

  • ambitious
  • intellectual
  • somber
  • reflective
  • rivalry
  • romantic longing
  • Tone: bittersweet, somber, intellectual
  • Pacing: variable, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a driven protagonist facing off against a rival, often while grappling with financial instability and fleeting romantic connections. The story unfolds with variable pacing, weaving together professional conflicts and personal dramas, ultimately culminating in an ending that acknowledges achievement but underscores its emotional cost.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their exploration of ambition as a double-edged sword, a narrative structure that intertwines professional and personal struggles, and a consistently bittersweet emotional tone that questions the true price of success.

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Movies Like Tesla

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Every angle

Tesla (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Tesla 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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