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Timeline

The Gentlemen (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 113 min · English
Echo score 59
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Directed by
Guy Ritchie
Starring
Henry Golding, Colin Farrell, Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, Chidi Ajufo, Jeremy Strong
Budget
$22M

Mickey Pearson has built a profitable marijuana empire in London, but he's looking to sell and walk away. This decision triggers a series of events as rival criminals and opportunistic schemers attempt to seize control of his operation. A complex web of blackmail, bribery, and double-crosses ensues, testing the loyalties of everyone involved in this wickedly entertaining and stylish crime story.

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

The Gentlemen Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Gentlemen (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. Mickey in the Pub

    The story begins with Mickey Pearson in a run-down pub, deep in thought while conversing with his wife over the phone. Unbeknownst to him, an unseen figure lurks behind, suggesting that danger is imminent and his calm is about to be shattered.

    Where
    Shabby pub
  2. Gunfire Erupts

    The tranquility of the pub is abruptly interrupted by the sounds of gunfire, marking the first violent act in the narrative. The chaos that ensues leaves a splash of blood on Mickey's pint glass, foreshadowing the events that will unravel as the plot thickens.

    Where
    Shabby pub
  3. Fletcher's Visit

    Raymond, Mickey's loyal right-hand man, engages with Fletcher, a crafty journalist seeking to exploit Mickey's secrets. Under the orders of Big Dave, Fletcher is determined to dig up damaging information about Mickey, leading to a tense exchange fueled by their complicated history.

  4. The 150,000-Pound Offer

    Fletcher presents a tempting offer of 150,000 pounds for dirt on Mickey. This proposal is steeped in ulterior motives as Fletcher, with a rocky history with Mickey, demands 20 million pounds for exclusive information, raising the stakes significantly.

  5. Mickey's Background Revealed

    As Fletcher shares details about Mickey's rise, it is revealed that he is not your typical gangster. A self-made man, Mickey developed his marijuana business during his Oxford days, gaining a reputation for being fierce to those who threaten him.

    Where
    Oxford University
  6. Retirement Questions

    Rumors about Mickey's retirement begin circulating, especially in light of his plans to sell his empire for a staggering 400 million pounds. However, his protective wife Rosalind expresses her concerns about the cunning nature of his potential buyer, Matthew Berger.

  7. Dry Eye's Approach

    Dry Eye, a calculated gangster, approaches Mickey with a proposal to buy out his business set against the backdrop of Mickey's potential retirement. When Mickey refuses, tensions escalate, revealing the danger associated with rejecting Dry Eye's offer and leading to violent confrontations.

  8. Mickey's Weed Farms

    Mickey proudly showcases one of his successful weed farms to Berger, revealing his connections with Lord Pressfield. This partnership highlights the complexities of Mickey's dealings, as the calm is soon disrupted by unexpected attacks on his guards.

    Where
    Weed farms
  9. The Toddlers' Attack

    A motley crew of aspiring rappers and boxers known as the Toddlers violently confronts Mickey's guards. Their reckless actions are recorded and sent to Raymond, triggering urgent responses from everyone involved as the stakes continue to rise.

  10. Laura's Disappearance

    When Laura, the daughter of Lord Pressfield, mysteriously vanishes, a rescue mission ensues that leads Raymond and his team into dangerous territory. Their attempt to retrieve her from the clutches of a junkie den results in a tragedy that underscores the volatile situation.

    Where
    Junkie den
  11. Confrontation with Lord George

    Mickey decides to take a stand against Lord George by tainting his tea, a bold symbolic act of defiance. This confrontation escalates the ongoing conflict and highlights the lengths Mickey is willing to go to protect his interests.

    Where
    Restaurant
  12. Fletcher's Discovery

    Fletcher uncovers a conspiracy between Dry Eye and Berger, revealing the interconnected treachery that threatens Mickey's empire. This vital information sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between Mickey and his adversaries.

  13. A Showdown with Dry Eye

    The tension culminates as Dry Eye confronts Rosalind, bringing Mickey's family into the crosshairs. With Raymond's intervention, this moment escalates the danger and urgency, forcing the couple to strategize their survival.

    Where
    Pub
  14. Mickey vs. Berger

    In a tense meeting with Berger, Mickey demands vengeance for Dry Eye's attack on his wife. This high-stakes dialogue leads to a graphic display of power as Mickey takes control of the situation, ultimately negotiating the protection of his family.

  15. Fletcher's Last Moves

    As Fletcher attempts to finalize his payment with Raymond, he realizes the precarious nature of his own position, as he is surveilled. This tension culminates with unexpected alliances and deadly confrontations that illustrate the overarching chaos of Mickey's world.

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:33

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Timeline questions answered

The Gentlemen Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why does Mickey Pearson want to sell his marijuana empire?

Mickey wants to retire and walk away from his criminal life. After building a profitable marijuana business during his time at Oxford University and maintaining it for years, he's reached a point where he's ready to cash out. He's negotiated a deal with Matthew Berger to sell his empire for 400 million pounds, using the money as his ticket to a legitimate future with his wife Rosalind.

  • mickey pearson
  • retirement
  • 400 million
  • sale
Q2

Why does Mickey reject Dry Eye's buyout offer?

Mickey rejects Dry Eye's offer because he doesn't trust him. When Dry Eye approaches Mickey about purchasing his business as retirement looms, Mickey refuses. This rejection leads Dry Eye to escalate threats, ultimately resulting in violent confrontations where Mickey demonstrates his willingness to use lethal force to protect his empire and his reputation.

  • dry eye
  • buyout offer
  • rejection
  • mickey
Q3

Why is Rosalind suspicious of Matthew Berger?

Rosalind warns Mickey about Berger because she recognizes him as cunning and untrustworthy. She cautions Mickey against the deal, understanding that Berger is a dangerous businessman who likely has ulterior motives beyond simply purchasing the marijuana empire. Her instincts prove valid as the plot reveals Berger's secret collusion with Dry Eye.

  • rosalind
  • matthew berger
  • suspicion
  • trust
Q4

Is the opening gunshot scene in the pub real?

The opening gunshot scene that shows blood splashing on Mickey's pint glass is not entirely real. It's revealed that this dramatic moment, including the sinister figure behind Mickey and the gunfire, is actually fabricated by Fletcher as part of the story he's constructing. The truth is that Mickey simply faced down petty threats without any actual shooting occurring.

Foreshadowing: Fletcher's tendency to embellish stories with dramatic fabrications sets up the reveal that several violent scenes may be exaggerated in his narrative.

  • opening scene
  • gunfire
  • fletcher
  • fabrication
Q5

What is the conspiracy between Dry Eye and Matthew Berger?

Fletcher uncovers that Dry Eye and Matthew Berger are colluding behind Mickey's back. They conspire together to take control of Mickey's empire, with Berger planning to buy it while Dry Eye uses force to pressure Mickey into selling. This treachery is revealed when Fletcher presents Raymond with audio recordings proving their conspiracy.

  • dry eye
  • matthew berger
  • conspiracy
  • collusion
Q6

Who are the Toddlers and why do they attack Mickey's guards?

The Toddlers are a group of young aspiring rappers and boxers who launch a violent attack on Mickey's guards. They record their chaotic confrontation and send the footage to Raymond. Their attack appears to be connected to Coach, who receives the video and becomes involved in the escalating violence. Later, the Toddlers take brutal vengeance against Mickey as the story reaches its climax.

  • toddlers
  • attack
  • guards
  • coach
Q7

What happens to Laura and why does the rescue end tragically?

Laura, Lord Pressfield's daughter, mysteriously vanishes, prompting Lord Pressfield to seek Mickey's help. Raymond and his men launch a rescue mission to find her in a dangerous junkie den. The operation ends tragically when Aslan, one of Raymond's men, is killed during the rescue attempt, highlighting the deadly consequences of Mickey's criminal world.

  • laura
  • lord pressfield
  • rescue
  • junkie den
  • aslan
Q8

What happens to Fletcher at the end of the film?

Fletcher meets a dire fate despite surviving much of the chaos. After pitching his explosive screenplay account to Miramax and seemingly securing payment, Fletcher is killed. His alliance with Aslan's father, a Russian KGB figure, ultimately provides no protection as Mickey's world closes in on him.

Foreshadowing: Fletcher's dangerous game of blackmail and manipulation throughout the film sets up his inevitable downfall.

  • fletcher
  • death
  • ending
  • miramax
Q9

Why does Mickey confront Lord George at his restaurant?

Mickey confronts Lord George at his restaurant as an act of vengeance. George had been attempting to undermine Mickey's operations, including destroying one of George's heroin labs. Mickey symbolically poisons George's tea to send a message, escalating the conflict between them and demonstrating that Mickey will not tolerate interference with his business.

  • lord george
  • restaurant
  • confrontation
  • tea
  • vengeance
Q10

How does Mickey force Matthew Berger to agree to his terms?

Mickey demands retribution for Dry Eye's violent attack on his wife Rosalind. In a tense confrontation with Berger, Mickey takes control of the situation and forces Berger into a corner until he capitulates to Mickey's terms. This scene demonstrates Mickey's power and willingness to protect his family, ultimately securing the protection he needs.

  • mickey
  • matthew berger
  • terms
  • rosalind
  • retribution

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Gentlemen, by Mood & Story

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

Witty Crime Puzzles like in The Gentlemen

Complex criminal schemes where cleverness and humor meet high-stakes chaos. If you enjoyed the clever scheming and dark humor of The Gentlemen, you'll like these movies. This collection features similar stories of complex criminal enterprises, sharp-witted dialogue, and narratives that unfold like a devious, entertaining game of chess between rival factions.

  • witty
  • devious
  • stylish
  • suspenseful
  • unpredictable
  • clever
  • Tone: dark, witty
  • Pacing: fast, intricate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread are built around a central, complex scheme, often involving multiple factions vying for power. The narrative thrives on double-crosses, clever reveals, and characters who are always several steps ahead—or think they are. The journey is as much about enjoying the clever wordplay and narrative framing as it is about the criminal outcome.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a specific blend of high-stakes crime, intellectual challenge, and consistent, dark humor. They prioritize wit and style alongside violence, creating a uniquely entertaining and mentally engaging form of thriller.

Stylish Gangster Stories like The Gentlemen

High-energy tales of criminal empires, rivalries, and the price of power. Fans of The Gentlemen looking for similar fast-paced crime capers will find them here. These movies share a focus on drug empires, gangster rivalry, and the consequences of betrayal, all delivered with a slick, stylish visual flair and a plot that moves at a breakneck pace.

  • stylish
  • gritty
  • fast-paced
  • suspenseful
  • violent
  • unpredictable
  • Tone: gritty, dark
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a power player in a criminal enterprise whose decision to cash out or rise up triggers a chaotic chain reaction. The plot is driven by rival gangs, internal betrayals, and a series of escalating confrontations. The focus is on the mechanics of the criminal world and the fragile codes of honor that govern it.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their high-energy pacing, stylish presentation, and central themes of criminal enterprise and rivalry. They create a specific vibe that is both glamorous and gritty, offering a thrilling look into the operations and personal costs of a life of crime.

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Movies Like The Gentlemen

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

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Every angle

The Gentlemen (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Gentlemen 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.

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