The Assistant

The Assistant

Year: 2020

Runtime: 87 min

Language: English

Director: Kitty Green

Drama

Jane, an ambitious young woman, begins her career as a junior assistant to a prominent entertainment executive. What starts as a routine day filled with administrative tasks gradually unveils a disturbing environment of abuse and exploitation within the company. As Jane witnesses the unsettling nature of her workplace, she is forced to confront a difficult choice: remain silent and conform, or challenge the system that holds her captive. Her decisions lead to a challenging and revealing experience, exposing the dark side of the entertainment industry.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Assistant (2020)

Trace every key event in The Assistant (2020) 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

Jane Arrives at Work

Before dawn breaks, Jane arrives at the bustling New York City film production company where she will spend her day as a junior assistant. Eager yet apprehensive, she begins her early morning routine, diving into a series of monotonous administrative tasks that are vital to the functioning of the office.

Early morning New York City
2

Daily Tasks Begin

Jane engages in various repetitive tasks that define her role, including turning on the lights and preparing coffee. Each small job, from printing presentations to cleaning stains from her boss's couch, adds to the tension of her work environment, highlighting the overwhelming demands placed on her.

Morning Office
3

Forgotten Birthday Call

During a phone call with her mother, Jane is reminded that she forgot to call her father on his birthday. This realization strikes a chord with her, adding guilt to the already heavy atmosphere of stress and responsibility she feels at work throughout the day.

Mid-morning
4

Witnessing Inappropriate Behavior

As the day progresses, Jane observes her boss engaging in inappropriate behavior and making sexual advances towards younger women in the office. The uncomfortable lewd comments from male executives exacerbate Jane's feelings of discomfort and highlight the toxic atmosphere surrounding her.

Late morning Office
5

Abusive Phone Calls

Each time Jane makes a mistake, her boss retaliates with abusive phone calls, further intensifying her anxiety. Meanwhile, her male colleagues, Jonny and Noah, remain silent witnesses to this mistreatment, amplifying Jane's sense of isolation and oppression in the workplace.

Afternoon Office
6

New Assistant Sienna Arrives

In the afternoon, a new junior assistant named Sienna arrives from Idaho, which raises immediate concerns for Jane. Not only is Jane worried about Sienna's safety in the hostile work environment, but she also fears that Sienna may become her boss's next target.

Afternoon Office
7

Reporting to HR

Concerned for Sienna's well-being, Jane attempts to report her worries to the human resources department. After dropping Sienna off at a luxurious hotel—a benefit Jane never experienced herself—she feels compelled to step forward and warn about the potential dangers awaiting the newcomer.

Late afternoon HR Department
8

HR's Dismissal

Upon meeting with Matthew, the head of HR, Jane finds her concerns quickly dismissed as being overly sensitive and envious. His warning about the repercussions of filing a complaint leaves Jane feeling demoralized and trapped in a toxic environment where her voice carries little weight.

Late afternoon HR Department
9

Demand for an Apology

After her meeting with HR, Jane receives a call from her boss, who has been informed of her report. He demands an apology via email, insisting that his harshness is merely a tactic to train her for future success, leaving Jane feeling conflicted and helpless.

Evening Office
10

Sienna's Office Visit

Later in the evening, Sienna drops by the office for a tutorial on the phone systems, indicating her eagerness to learn. This moment serves as a reminder of Jane's deepening concerns for Sienna, who seems oblivious to the risks present in their workplace.

Evening Office
11

End of Workday

As the workday comes to a close, Jane prepares to leave but notices that her boss is still in the office with a young actress. This ominous sight raises alarm bells in her mind, further emphasizing her discomfort with the ongoing atmosphere of inappropriate encounters within the company.

Evening Office
12

A Moment of Reflection

Choosing to avoid the tense environment, Jane decides to visit a nearby coffee shop instead of heading home immediately. While enjoying a snack and catching up with her father over the phone, she reflects on the day’s events, weighed down by her experiences.

Night Coffee Shop
13

A Disturbing Realization

As Jane ends her call with her father, she sees a silhouette in her boss's office window that suggests an ongoing indiscretion. This final moment crystallizes her fears about the other women's safety and solidifies her resolve to take a stand against the toxic dynamic at her workplace.

Night Coffee Shop

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:01

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The Assistant Summary

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The Assistant Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Assistant

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Assistant

More About The Assistant

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