Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Tetris (2023) movie poster

Timeline

Tetris (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 120 min · English
Echo score 77
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Jon S. Baird
Starring
Mezi Atwood, Toby Jones, Matthew Marsh, Taron Egerton, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle
Budget
$80M

In the 1980s, video game entrepreneur Henk Rogers discovers Tetris and embarks on a journey to bring the addictive puzzle game to a global audience. Partnering with its creator, Alexey Pazhitnov, he navigates the complexities of Cold War politics and a cutthroat business landscape. Rogers faces numerous challenges and risks everything to secure the rights and launch Tetris as a worldwide phenomenon, encountering double-crossers and seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way.

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 Tetris
  6. 6 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

15 events in order · contains spoilers

Tetris Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Tetris (2023) 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. Henk Rogers at CES 1988

    In 1988, Henk Rogers attends the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to promote his latest video game. While at the event, he discovers Tetris, a game developed by Russian coder Alexey Pajitnov, which captivates his interest.

    When
    1988
    Where
    Las Vegas, USA
  2. Acquisition of Tetris Rights

    Henk learns that Robert Stein has secured worldwide licensing rights to Tetris through a deal brokered with Robert Maxwell and his son Kevin. Recognizing the potential, Henk swiftly acquires the rights for Tetris in Japan.

  3. Pitching to Nintendo

    Henk travels to Nintendo's headquarters in Japan and meets CEO Hiroshi Yamauchi. He pitches Tetris and impressively convinces Yamauchi to pursue a collaborative partnership instead of accepting a buyout offer.

    Where
    Nintendo Headquarters, Japan
  4. Pledging His Apartment

    To move forward in producing the Tetris cartridges and arcade machines for Nintendo, Henk pledges his apartment as collateral for a loan. Despite his wife Akemi's concerns, he believes the game will lead to their family's success.

  5. Arcade Rights Complications

    Henk is informed by Kevin Maxwell that the arcade rights to Tetris have been assigned to Sega. This news compels Henk to request his outstanding residuals earlier than planned to restructure his approach.

  6. Negotiating with Nintendo of America

    In Seattle, Henk discovers that Nintendo is launching the Game Boy. He convinces president Minoru Arakawa and senior VP Howard Lincoln to bundle Tetris with the Game Boy, securing the handheld licensing rights.

    Where
    Nintendo of America, Seattle
  7. Negotiations with the Maxwells

    Henk travels to London to negotiate with the Maxwells, only to find that Stein retains all global licensing rights for Tetris. He makes a bold $25,000 offer for the worldwide handheld rights, hoping for a positive outcome.

    Where
    London, UK
  8. Journey to Moscow

    Determined to secure the rights directly, Henk travels to Moscow with Kevin. Upon arrival, they begin exploring how to navigate the potentially treacherous dealings with ELORG, the Russian agency responsible for the licensing.

    Where
    Moscow, Russia
  9. Meeting with ELORG's President

    Henk meets Nikolai Belikov, president of ELORG, who reveals that Tetris was only licensed for PC, accusing Henk of theft. Faced with hostility from a KGB agent, Henk remains resolute in his pursuit of the rights.

  10. Bonding with Alexey Pajitnov

    During his time in Moscow, Henk forms a bond with Alexey Pajitnov as they play the original Tetris. Alexey expresses his frustrations about not receiving royalties for a game he created, revealing the personal stakes involved.

    Where
    Moscow, Russia
  11. Dinner and Pitching Ideas

    At a dinner in Alexey's apartment, Henk presents collaborative ideas to Alexey while their friendship deepens. But the looming threat of KGB agents creates tension, culminating in a memorable moment of unexpected affection from Sasha.

    Where
    Alexey’s apartment, Moscow
  12. Contractual Tensions with the Maxwells

    Henk learns that his negotiations may fall short as the Maxwells are set to finalize their contracts. The struggle for control of Tetris escalates as both Henk and the Maxwells attempt to outmaneuver each other.

  13. Final Negotiation Strategy

    In a moment of desperation, Henk and his team consolidate their efforts to present a counteroffer, aiming to secure the licensing rights faster than the Maxwells. This strategic move ultimately leads to a breakthrough.

  14. Escape and Resolution

    Following a whirlwind of confrontations, Henk escapes from agents seeking retribution. Upon his return home, he reconciles with his wife and daughter, showing them the success of his endeavors.

  15. Legacy of Tetris and Reunion

    The story concludes with the Game Boy’s significant success and Tetris’ enduring legacy, even amidst political upheaval. Henk sends Alexey a Game Boy and tickets to America, celebrating their friendship and shared triumph.

Last updated: November 07, 2024 at 22:45

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Tetris Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Tetris (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Henk Rogers risk his apartment for Tetris?

Henk believed so strongly in Tetris's potential that he pledged his apartment as collateral for a loan to fund cartridge and arcade machine production for Nintendo. Despite his wife Akemi's protests, he was convinced the game would succeed because their own children were addicted to playing it, making him confident it would resonate with families worldwide.

  • henk rogers
  • apartment pledge
  • loan
  • nintendo
  • tetris rights
Q2

How did Henk secure Tetris for the Game Boy?

While at Nintendo of America in Seattle, Henk discovered Nintendo was about to launch the Game Boy alongside Super Mario Land. He convinced president Minoru Arakawa and senior VP Howard Lincoln to bundle Tetris with the Game Boy, securing the handheld licensing rights in a deal that would prove instrumental to Tetris's global success.

  • game boy
  • bundle deal
  • nintendo
  • handheld rights
  • minoru arakawa
Q3

Who owned the rights to Tetris?

The rights to Tetris were owned by ELORG, the Soviet state agency, which had licensed worldwide licensing rights to Robert Stein of Andromeda Software. However, the licensing was originally only for PC, creating complications when Henk and others attempted to secure handheld and arcade rights.

  • elorg
  • robert stein
  • licensing rights
  • tetris ownership
  • soviet union
Q4

Why was the KGB threatening Henk in Moscow?

The KGB confronted Henk because his negotiations with ELORG to secure Tetris rights were conducted without proper authorization from Soviet authorities. Working around the state-controlled system to make deals was considered illegal, and his persistent attempts to cut his own deal directly with ELORG president Nikolai Belikov put him in danger.

  • kgb
  • moscow
  • threat
  • hen rogers
  • elorg
  • soviet illegal
Q5

How did Henk outmaneuver the Maxwells for the Tetris rights?

When Henk learned the Maxwells were about to finalize their own deal with ELORG, he and his team urgently put together a counteroffer that was more attractive. Belikov chose Henk's deal over the Maxwells' because Henk had already built a genuine relationship with Alexey Pajitnov and demonstrated a commitment to bringing Tetris to the world rather than just profiting from licensing.

  • maxwells
  • counteroffer
  • belikov
  • tetris rights
  • outmaneuver
Q6

Did Alexey Pajitnov ever receive royalties for Tetris?

No, Alexey Pajitnov never received royalties from Tetris despite creating the game. During their meetings in Moscow, Alexey expressed his frustration to Henk about not being paid for a game that had become hugely popular. Henk's mission to secure the rights was partly motivated by helping his friend get what he deserved from his own creation.

  • alexey pajitnov
  • royalties
  • creator
  • tetris
  • frustration
Q7

Why was the arcade rights issue with Sega a problem for Henk?

When Kevin Maxwell informed Henk that the arcade rights had been assigned to Sega, it complicated Henk's plans because arcade machines represented a major revenue stream. This unexpected complication forced Henk to request his residuals early and rethink his business strategy to recover potential lost income.

  • arcade rights
  • sega
  • kevin maxwell
  • complications
  • revenue
Q8

What was Robert Stein's role in the Tetris licensing?

Robert Stein from Andromeda Software was the first to secure worldwide licensing rights to Tetris from ELORG, brokered through media magnate Robert Maxwell and his son Kevin. However, Stein's deal proved problematic because he retained all global licensing rights, making it difficult for others like Henk to negotiate separate agreements.

  • robert stein
  • andromeda software
  • worldwide licensing
  • deal
Q9

Why did Kevin Maxwell help Henk go to Moscow?

Kevin Maxwell initially helped Henk travel to Moscow because he wanted to accompany him to negotiate on behalf of his father's company. However, Kevin's true motivation became clearer when he learned about missing millions from his father's company, leading him to suspect shady dealings and eventually turn against his father.

  • kevin maxwell
  • moscow
  • help
  • father
  • missing millions
Q10

How did Henk escape from Moscow?

Following the intense negotiations and confrontations, Henk had to flee from agents who were seeking vengeance against him. Alexey Pajitnov aided Henk's escape to safety, helping him get out of Moscow before the situation escalated further.

  • escape
  • moscow
  • alexey
  • agents
  • safety
  • flee
Q11

Why did Sasha kiss Henk during dinner?

During a tense dinner at Alexey's apartment, with KGB agents threatening and intimidating them, Sasha unexpectedly kissed Henk. The moment created confusion, especially since Henk remained devoted to his wife Akemi despite the dramatic circumstances and the kiss seemed to be a moment of emotional release amid the high-stress situation.

  • sasha
  • kiss
  • dinner
  • confusion
  • tension
  • kgb

Movie threads

More Movies Like Tetris, by Mood & Story

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

High-Stakes Corporate Thrillers like Tetris

Races against time where business deals feel like life-or-death missions. If you enjoyed the cutthroat business dealings and urgent pace of Tetris, explore more movies like it. This collection features tense, fast-paced thrillers where corporate espionage, complex negotiations, and high financial risks create a gripping, race-against-the-clock experience.

  • tense
  • thrilling
  • urgent
  • anxious
  • triumphant
  • high-stakes
  • Tone: tense, urgent, triumphant
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a determined underdog or entrepreneur entering a dangerous, high-reward game. The plot is a series of escalating challenges, unexpected betrayals, and strategic moves, all set against a ticking clock. The journey is fraught with tension, but often culminates in a hard-won, triumphant conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific blend of tone and pacing. They are consistently tense and urgent, driven by intellectual and financial conflict rather than physical action. The central appeal is the suspense of seeing if a savvy protagonist can overcome a powerful, complex system through wit and perseverance.

Cold War Era True Stories like Tetris

Real-life tales of daring individuals navigating the perils of the Iron Curtain. For viewers who liked the historical backdrop and real-life intrigue of Tetris, this thread gathers similar movies. Discover true stories set during the Cold War, where personal ambition and friendship collide with political intrigue, creating dramas filled with tension and historical significance.

  • tense
  • hopeful
  • historical
  • anxious
  • dramatic
  • based on a true story
  • Tone: tense, hopeful, dramatic
  • Pacing: steady to fast
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often an outsider, venturing into the politically charged and dangerous environment of the Soviet bloc. The conflict is a blend of personal goals and larger geopolitical tensions, leading to encounters with intimidation, bureaucratic obstacles, and espionage. The journey is a test of nerve and principle against an oppressive system.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique historical setting and the specific tension it generates. They share a tense tone derived from political danger, a focus on true events that feel almost too incredible to be real, and a mood that balances anxiety with the hope of human connection and triumph against the odds.

If you liked this

Movies Like Tetris

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

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Tetris (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Tetris in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app