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The Condemned (2013) movie poster

Timeline

The Condemned (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · English
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Directed by
Roberto Bus

A former bounty hunter is unwillingly drawn back into a dangerous world when he's forced to compete in the Condemned, a brutal tournament featuring hardened criminals. These convicts fight each other in a televised spectacle designed for global entertainment, creating a high-stakes battle for survival where the consequences are deadly.

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 The Condemned
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Condemned Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Condemned (2013) 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. Death Row

    Jack Conrad finds himself on death row in a harsh Salvadoran prison, resigned to his grim fate. His days are mired in despair as he contemplates his approaching execution.

    Where
    Salvadoran prison
  2. A Second Chance

    An unexpected opportunity arises when a wealthy television producer intervenes and buys the freedom of Jack and nine other condemned criminals. This surreal turn of events signals the start of a twisted survival game.

  3. Desolate Island

    The contestants are transported to a desolate island in the South Pacific, where they are given a harrowing choice: compete in a fight to the death or face execution. Ankle bombs with a 30-hour countdown are strapped to them, ensuring high stakes.

    Where
    Desolate island in the South Pacific
  4. Game Begins

    The brutal competition commences, orchestrated by Ian Breckel, aiming to break online viewing records. The contestants must eliminate each other to survive, with the last person standing winning their freedom and a substantial cash prize.

  5. Identity Uncovered

    As events unfold on the island, FBI agents start to uncover Jack's true identity as Jack Riley, a former Delta Force operative. Meanwhile, his former girlfriend Sarah becomes unintentionally involved, watching the horrifying contest from a local bar.

  6. Alliances Formed

    Contestants begin to form alliances to survive the brutal game. Jack Conrad teams up with Ewan McStarley and Saiga, but trust is fleeting as danger lurks at every corner.

  7. Infiltration

    In a bold move, Conrad infiltrates the broadcast tower to send a message to Sarah, hoping to let her know about the horrors on the island. He faces challenges and must withdraw before his plan is fully realized.

    Where
    Broadcast tower
  8. Brutal Confrontation

    Tensions rise as Jack encounters McStarley and Saiga in a desperate confrontation. In a deadly clash, Jack eliminates Saiga, but the threat from McStarley continues to loom as he escapes with a shotgun.

  9. Escaping the Pursuer

    Utilizing the terrain to evade capture, Conrad seeks refuge in a stream, but McStarley is relentless. The pursuit intensifies as McStarley brutally murders others in his path, raising the stakes even further.

    Where
    Stream
  10. The Fall

    A fateful encounter leads to Conrad diverting into a ravine to escape McStarley's gunfire. He falls into a tumultuous stream, leaving his survival in question while McStarley thinks he has secured victory.

    Where
    Ravine
  11. A Sinister Twist

    As McStarley approaches the control tower to claim his winnings, Breckel reveals that Navy SEALs are on their way to apprehend him. This twist sends McStarley into a rage, killing innocent bystanders in the chaos.

    Where
    Control tower
  12. Revelations and Revenge

    Amidst the turmoil, McStarley confronts Julie, Breckel’s girlfriend, only to realize that Conrad has survived. A raw confrontation ensues between Conrad and McStarley, addressing past traumas and igniting a fierce battle.

  13. Pursuit and Showdown

    Conrad takes control of McStarley’s equipment and embarks on a pursuit of Breckel, now desperate to escape. The chase culminates in a dramatic showdown where he unleashes a barrage of fire upon a helicopter.

    Where
    Cliffs
  14. The Final Trap

    In a moment of sheer precision, Conrad uses McStarley's reactivated ankle bomb against the helicopter, resulting in a catastrophic crash that brings Breckel's reign of terror to an end. The malevolent game concludes with justice served.

  15. Return to Freedom

    With the antagonists defeated and the game over, Conrad returns home to Texas a free man. The joyous reunion with Sarah marks the end of his harrowing journey, as they embrace a newfound life together.

    Where
    Texas

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 22:26

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Timeline questions answered

The Condemned Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Condemned (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Jack Conrad on death row in El Salvador?

Jack Conrad was actually Jack Riley, a former Delta Force operative who was captured during a covert mission in El Salvador. After his capture, he was imprisoned on death row in the Salvadoran prison, where he remained awaiting execution until the Condemned game began.

  • jack conrad
  • jack riley
  • delta force
  • el salvador
  • death row
Q2

What is Jack Conrad's real identity and why was it hidden?

Jack Conrad's real name is Jack Riley. He is a former Delta Force operative who was captured during a covert mission in El Salvador. The FBI uncovers his true identity as the game progresses, but this information was hidden from both the game organizers and the other contestants.

  • jack riley
  • delta force
  • identity
  • hidden identity
  • covert mission
Q3

Why does McStarley turn against Conrad during the game?

McStarley initially forms an alliance with Conrad and Saiga to survive, but the game's ruthless nature breeds distrust. After eliminating Saiga, McStarley becomes a lone threat, pursuing Conrad with deadly intent. His violent past and the pressure of the death-match game drive him to turn fully against his former ally.

  • mcstarley
  • betrayal
  • alliance
  • saiga
  • combat
Q4

How does Conrad survive after falling into the stream?

Conrad deliberately diverts into a treacherous ravine to evade McStarley's shotgun fire. He falls into the tumultuous stream below, and McStarley incorrectly assumes he has been killed. Conrad survives the fall and later resurfaces to continue fighting, ultimately confronting McStarley at the control tower.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the game, Conrad uses the terrain to his advantage when evading pursuers, demonstrating his survival skills.

  • conrad
  • stream
  • ravine
  • survival
  • fall
Q5

What happens when McStarley wins the Condemned game?

After Conrad appears to die in the stream, McStarley believes he has won and heads to the control tower to collect his prize. However, Breckel reveals that Navy SEALs have been dispatched by the FBI to apprehend him. Enraged, McStarley goes on a killing spree, eliminating the tech team and guards before confronting Conrad's unexpected return.

Foreshadowing: The FBI has been investigating the Condemned operation throughout the game, leading to the coordinated raid.

  • mcstarley
  • winner
  • navy seals
  • breckel
  • arrest
Q6

Why does Conrad kill McStarley after the game ends?

Conrad kills McStarley in a direct confrontation where McStarley reveals his traumatic past of violence during prison time in Africa. This encounter becomes personal for Conrad, fueling his rage and leading him to exact revenge by shooting McStarley multiple times before pursuing Breckel.

  • conrad
  • mcstarley
  • revenge
  • trauma
  • africa prison
Q7

How does Conrad destroy Breckel's helicopter?

Conrad pursues Breckel as he attempts to escape via helicopter. During the confrontation, Julie hands Conrad McStarley's reactivated ankle bomb. Conrad precisely throws the device into the helicopter's engine, causing it to crash into the cliffs and killing Breckel.

  • breckel
  • helicopter
  • ankle bomb
  • crash
  • julie
Q8

Why does Ian Breckel orchestrate the Condemned game?

Ian Breckel is a wealthy television producer who masterminds the Condemned game to generate massive online viewership, aiming to attract 40 million viewers and rival Super Bowl ratings. He orchestrates everything from selecting the contestants to ensuring dramatic moments that boost entertainment value.

  • ian breckel
  • producer
  • ratings
  • television
  • viewership
Q9

How do the ankle bombs work in the Condemned game?

Each contestant is fitted with an ankle bomb fitted with a 30-hour countdown timer. The only way to disable the bomb is to be the last person standing after eliminating all other contestants. Breckel retains the ability to reactivate bombs, as shown when McStarley's bomb is reactivated for use against the helicopter.

  • ankle bomb
  • countdown
  • 30 hours
  • elimination
  • bomb
Q10

Why does Conrad infiltrate the broadcast tower?

Conrad infiltrates the broadcast tower to send vital information to Sarah, his former girlfriend who is watching the event from a local bar. He hopes to alert her about the horrors of the island and possibly get help, but he is forced to withdraw before completing his message.

  • broadcast tower
  • sarah
  • message
  • infiltration
  • communication
Q11

Who is Julie and what is her role in the ending?

Julie is Ian Breckel's girlfriend. During the final showdown, she aids Conrad by handing him McStarley's reactivated ankle bomb, which he uses to destroy Breckel's escaping helicopter. Her action helps ensure Breckel's defeat.

  • julie
  • breckel
  • girlfriend
  • helicopter
  • ankle bomb
Q12

Why does Sarah watch the Condemned game from a bar?

Sarah is Jack Conrad's former girlfriend. She becomes unintentionally embroiled in the chaos when she watches the televised Condemned event unfold from a local bar. The broadcast connects her to the survival game, and Conrad attempts to contact her through the broadcast tower.

  • sarah
  • bar
  • television
  • broadcast
  • girlfriend

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Condemned, by Mood & Story

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

Survival Death Games like The Condemned

Characters are forced to fight for their lives in a brutal, orchestrated contest. If you liked the high-stakes, televised violence of The Condemned, you'll find more movies with similar themes here. This list features stories about unwilling combatants forced into brutal tournaments and deadly games where survival is the only prize.

  • brutal
  • stressful
  • desperate
  • merciless
  • oppressive
  • high-stakes
  • Tone: dark, tense, brutal
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with characters being captured or coerced into a controlled, lethal environment. The plot follows their struggle to survive a series of escalating challenges, often involving direct combat with other participants, while seeking a way to undermine or escape the game's manipulative organizers.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core premise of a structured death game, creating a consistent vibe of high tension, brutal action, and a desperate fight against exploitation. They explore themes of corporate or authoritarian cruelty, the will to survive, and the spectacle of violence.

Dark Action Thrillers with Happy Endings like The Condemned

Stories that navigate through intense darkness but conclude with a clear, positive resolution. For viewers who enjoyed The Condemned's mix of grim atmosphere and ultimately victorious ending, this list features similar movies. These films balance heavy themes and intense action with a conclusive, happy ending that provides relief after a tough journey.

  • grim
  • vengeful
  • cathartic
  • hopeful
  • tense
  • triumphant
  • Tone: dark, grim, but ultimately hopeful
  • Pacing: fast-paced, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist enduring a profoundly difficult and violent ordeal. Despite facing overwhelming odds and traumatic events, they persevere and ultimately achieve a decisive victory over their oppressors, often returning to a state of peace or freedom, providing a strong sense of catharsis.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique emotional arc: they fully commit to a dark, intense tone throughout most of the runtime but purposely deliver a classic, happy ending. This creates a specific viewer experience of enduring hardship alongside the hero and being rewarded with a clear, positive resolution.

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Movies Like The Condemned

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Every angle

The Condemned (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Condemned 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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