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Timeline

The Half of It (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 104 min · English
Echo score 83
JustWatch #23,550
Directed by
Alice Wu
Starring
Leah Liang Lewis, Alex D. Jennings, Alec Tincher, Alexxis Lemire, Becky Ann Baker, Catherine Curtin

A shy, introverted student finds himself unexpectedly entangled in the romantic lives of others. He secretly agrees to write letters for a popular athlete, who wants to win over a classmate. As the student navigates this unusual arrangement, he finds himself developing feelings while orchestrating a delicate dance of attraction and vulnerability, ultimately learning about love and acceptance in the process.

On this page (7)
  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 Half of It
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Half of It (2020)

Where can you watch The Half of It? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Half of It Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Half of It (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. Ellie's Life in Squahamish

    Ellie Chu is a friendless student living in the quiet town of Squahamish. She struggles to help her widowed father, Edwin, as she secretly crafts homework papers for other students to earn money.

    Where
    Squahamish
  2. Ellie's Talent Show Requirement

    As part of her graduation requirements, Ellie is compelled to participate in her high school's talent show. This event serves as a turning point for her character and sets the stage for further developments.

  3. Paul's Request for a Love Letter

    Ellie meets Paul Munsky, an inarticulate football player, who requests her help in writing a love letter to Aster Flores, a girl he likes. Initially hesitant, Ellie later agrees due to financial pressures.

  4. The Love Letter Correspondence Begins

    Ellie starts writing letters to Aster, posing as Paul to facilitate her communication. This growing correspondence allows Ellie and Aster to bond over their shared interests while Aster remains unaware of the true identity of her correspondent.

  5. Mural Collaboration

    As their relationship develops, Ellie and Aster collaborate on a mural, trading painting duties to avoid meeting face-to-face. This artistic venture strengthens their emotional connection.

  6. Mrs. Geselschap's Encouragement

    Ellie's English teacher, Mrs. Geselschap, encourages her to apply to Grinnell College. Despite her abilities and potential, Ellie grapples with the idea of leaving her father and hometown.

  7. Helping Paul Prepare for Aster

    After attempting to set Paul up on a date with Aster, which goes awry, Ellie decides to help him prepare for a subsequent date. She teaches him about art and literature, focusing on what Aster likes.

  8. Paul's Date Attempts

    Paul's second date with Aster does not go as planned. Despite Ellie's attempts to text Aster pretending to be him, it leads to a heartfelt yet confusing moment that reveals feelings between the three.

  9. Aster and Ellie's Day at the Hot Spring

    After being impressed by Ellie's solo performance at the talent show, Aster invites her on an outing to a hot spring. There, they share their fears and dreams, deepening their bond substantially.

    Where
    Hot Spring
  10. Paul and Ellie's Father's Bonding Moment

    Ellie's father, Edwin, and Paul begin to develop a friendship as they bond over cooking sausages together. This moment highlights the intersection of their lives and the support systems around Ellie.

  11. Paul's Misunderstanding

    A miscommunication leads to Paul trying to kiss Ellie, causing tension with Aster when she witnesses this. This moment stirs deeper emotions and complicates friendships among the three.

  12. Trig's Proposal

    As Trig proposes to Aster in church, Ellie and Paul interrupt the moment, revealing the underlying tensions. This public display challenges Aster’s choices and turns the spotlight on Ellie's feelings.

    Where
    Church
  13. Ellie's Apology to Aster

    Before leaving for Grinnell, Ellie bravely apologizes to Aster. In a poignant exchange, Aster expresses possible feelings for Ellie, adding layers to their relationship and potential future.

  14. Departure and Promise

    As Ellie prepares to leave for college, she promises Aster that they will reconnect in two years. Their emotional parting solidifies their bond and aspirations.

    Where
    Train Station
  15. Paul's Farewell

    At the train station, Paul sees Ellie off and humorously mimics a movie scene as he runs alongside the departing train. His gesture is filled with heartfelt affection for both Ellie and her father.

    Where
    Train Station

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:00

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Timeline questions answered

The Half of It Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why did Ellie agree to write love letters for Paul?

Ellie initially refused Paul's request, but she eventually agreed because she needed the money. Their electricity was about to be cut off due to a $50 unpaid bill, and Paul's offer came at a critical moment. Additionally, Ellie secretly harbored feelings for Aster, so the arrangement gave her a way to interact with Aster indirectly.

  • Ellie Chu
  • Paul Munsky
  • love letters
  • Aster Flores
  • money
  • $50 bill
Q2

How did Ellie and Aster's relationship develop through letters?

Ellie wrote letters to Aster pretending to be Paul. Through these letters, Ellie and Aster discovered shared interests in literature and art, forming a deep emotional connection. They later collaborated on a mural, taking turns painting at different times to avoid meeting, which further deepened their bond while Aster remained unaware she was actually communicating with Ellie.

  • letter writing
  • Aster Flores
  • Ellie Chu
  • mural
  • correspondence
Q3

Why did Aster get angry when she found out the truth?

Aster was furious because she discovered that the person she'd been forming a genuine emotional connection with was actually Ellie, not Paul. She felt betrayed after learning that her entire relationship through letters was built on deception. This revelation came after Trig's proposal interruption, when Ellie and Paul exposed the truth publicly.

  • Aster Flores
  • betrayal
  • revelation
  • Trig proposal
  • anger
Q4

Why did Paul try to kiss Ellie?

Paul misinterpreted a situation and attempted to kiss Ellie. He had developed genuine feelings for her after she helped him prepare for his dates with Aster, teaching him about art, literature, and existentialism. However, his attempt was based on a misunderstanding and happened at an inopportune moment, causing tension with Aster who witnessed it.

  • Paul Munsky
  • kiss
  • misunderstanding
  • feelings
Q5

Did Aster have feelings for Ellie too?

Yes, Aster's reaction suggested she had developed feelings for Ellie. After the confrontation at Trig's proposal and before Ellie left for college, Aster told Ellie that she might have feelings for her too. They shared a kiss, and Ellie promised they would reunite in two years.

  • Aster Flores
  • Ellie Chu
  • feelings
  • kiss
  • romance
Q6

What happened at Trig's proposal?

During Trig's proposal to Aster in church, Ellie and Paul interrupted the moment publicly. This was because Paul was upset about the situation, and Ellie had been hiding her involvement behind the letters. The interruption forced Aster to confront the truth about the correspondence she'd been having, leading to her discovering that Ellie was the actual author of the letters.

  • Trig proposal
  • church
  • interruption
  • revelation
Q7

Why was Ellie hesitant about going to Grinnell?

Ellie was reluctant to leave for Grinnell College because she didn't want to abandon her widowed father, Edwin. She felt responsible for caring for him and running their household. Despite her English teacher Mrs. Geselschap's encouragement and her own desire to escape Squahamish, her loyalty to her father created a significant emotional conflict.

  • Grinnell College
  • Ellie Chu
  • father Edwin
  • leaving home
Q8

Why did Ellie continue helping Paul when she liked Aster?

Ellie was initially driven by financial need, accepting Paul's offer to write letters. However, as the situation progressed, she found herself genuinely connecting with Aster through their letters and mural collaboration. Ellie also developed a friendship with Paul, which complicated her position in the love triangle. Her motivations shifted between financial desperation, hidden romantic hopes, and genuine emotional investment in both relationships.

  • Ellie Chu
  • Paul Munsky
  • love triangle
  • helping
  • feelings
Q9

What was Ellie's talent show performance about?

Ellie performed a solo at the talent show, which was required for her senior graduation. Her performance impressed Aster, who later invited Ellie to spend a day with her at a hot spring. This moment marked a turning point where Ellie's authentic self shone through, separate from her role as Paul's ghostwriter.

  • talent show
  • performance
  • Aster Flores
  • Ellie Chu
Q10

What was the significance of Paul cooking with Ellie's father?

Paul bonded with Ellie's father Edwin over cooking sausages together. This moment showed Paul integrating into Ellie's family life and earning her father's approval. The scene also highlighted the contrast between Paul's genuine, down-to-earth nature and the wealthy Trig, while demonstrating Paul's growth beyond his initial jock persona.

  • Paul Munsky
  • Edwin
  • sausages
  • cooking
  • bonding
  • father
Q11

Why was Aster dating Trig if she had feelings for someone else?

Aster was dating Trig, who came from a wealthy family, before the events of the movie. At the hot spring, Aster revealed to Ellie that she had apprehensions about Trig, who intended to propose. Aster's relationship with Trig appeared to be more about external expectations than genuine connection, which is why she was drawn to the emotional depth she found through the letters, though she initially believed those letters came from Paul.

  • Aster Flores
  • Trig
  • dating
  • wealthy
  • proposal
  • relationship
Q12

How did the movie end between Ellie and Aster?

Ellie left for Grinnell College, but not before reconciling with Aster. They shared a kiss, and Aster revealed she planned to pursue art school. Ellie promised they would reunite in two years. At the train station, Paul also said goodbye to Ellie, sharing news of his sausage reviews and his intention to maintain a friendship with her father, ending on a hopeful note for all characters.

  • ending
  • train station
  • promise
  • reunion
  • Ellie Aster
  • Paul

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Half of It, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with complicated love triangles like The Half of It

Stories where a hidden matchmaker gets entangled in a web of their own creation. If you enjoyed the unique romantic setup in The Half of It, you'll find similar stories here. These movies explore the bittersweet complexities of love triangles formed through secrets, mistaken identities, or characters acting as intermediaries, all while navigating the awkwardness of adolescence and self-acceptance.

  • awkward
  • heartfelt
  • vulnerable
  • quirky
  • melancholic
  • romantic
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern often involves an initial deception or secret arrangement—like writing letters for someone else—that creates a false romantic front. As the scheme continues, the orchestrator develops genuine feelings, leading to internal conflict, the risk of exposure, and a climax where truths are revealed, forcing characters towards authentic connection and personal growth.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific romantic plot device: the secret identity love triangle. They resonate with a similar mix of awkward humor, heartfelt emotion, and the bittersweet tension of concealed feelings, offering a nuanced take on young love and self-discovery.

Quiet and heartfelt coming-of-age movies like The Half of It

Introspective tales of self-discovery that find hope in everyday awkwardness. For viewers who appreciated the thoughtful and introspective vibe of The Half of It, this section highlights similar movies. Discover other gentle dramas and comedies that capture the awkward, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful experience of navigating adolescence, family, and finding one's place in the world.

  • introspective
  • heartfelt
  • awkward
  • quirky
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, observant
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a quiet, introspective protagonist navigating the complexities of adolescence. The conflict is often internal or interpersonal, revolving around themes like grief, family responsibility, social isolation, or sexual identity. The narrative arc leads to a moment of quiet acceptance or understanding rather than a dramatic, external victory.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific mood and tone: a steady, medium-intensity pace, a focus on emotional vulnerability, and a balance between melancholic moments and a fundamentally hopeful outlook. They share a quirky, heartfelt charm that makes the awkwardness of growing up feel universal and meaningful.

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Movies Like The Half of It

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

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring The Half of It

The Half of It appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

The Half of It (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Half of It 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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