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Timeline

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

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 117 min
Directed by
Paul Feig
Starring
Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Sandra Bullock, Demián Bichir, Taran Killam, Jane Curtin
Budget
$43M

This film offers a raw and intense look at the career of John Verderosa, a popular boxer from Staten Island. Known for his aggressive fighting style and unwavering determination, Verderosa rises through the ranks, facing formidable opponents and navigating the challenges of professional boxing. It's a compelling portrait of a fighter’s journey, exploring the sacrifices and triumphs within the brutal world of the sport.

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 Heat
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Heat (2013)

Where can you watch The Heat? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Heat Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Heat (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. Ashburn's Dismissal

    FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn faces ridicule from her colleagues due to her arrogant demeanor and condescending attitude. Despite her impressive investigative skills, her reputation suffers as fellow agents are reluctant to collaborate with her.

    Where
    New York FBI field office
  2. Assignment in Boston

    Ashburn's superior, Hale, recognizes her potential and assigns her to Boston for a mission to apprehend drug kingpin Larkin. He emphasizes that solving this case could lead to a promotion, provided she proves she can work with others effectively.

    Where
    Boston
  3. Meeting Mullins

    Upon arriving in Boston, Ashburn is paired with Shannon Mullins, a bold and brash police officer. Their contrasting methods—Ashburn's strict adherence to rules clashing with Mullins' improvisational approach—gives rise to immediate tension.

    Where
    Boston Police Department
  4. Interrogation Conflict

    In a critical moment, Ashburn decides to interrogate a drug dealer on her own without consulting Mullins. This decision backfires when Mullins reveals she has her own plans to gather intelligence, showcasing their flawed communication.

    Where
    Boston
  5. Reluctant Partnership

    Realizing she needs Mullins' local knowledge, Ashburn reluctantly agrees to collaborate. Together, they pursue leads, using a surveillance device to glean information on their target and straining their working relationship further.

    Where
    Boston
  6. Confrontation with DEA

    While gathering intel, Ashburn and Mullins encounter DEA agents Craig and Adam, who voice concerns about the duo's interference in an ongoing investigation. This tension highlights the precarious nature of their operation and the stakes involved.

    Where
    Boston
  7. Family Ties

    A breakthrough occurs when Ashburn discovers that Mullins’ brother, Jason, recently released from prison, is intertwined with Larkin's drug network. This revelation complicates their investigation and adds personal stakes for Mullins.

    Where
    Boston
  8. The Parents' House

    In a strategic move, Ashburn convinces Mullins to confront their family and gather intelligence from Jason. The visit exposes family resentments, but ultimately, Jason divulges critical information related to a murdered drug dealer.

    Where
    Mullins' family home
  9. Witnessing a Murder

    The investigation leads Ashburn and Mullins to an old paint factory where they witness a murder executed by Larkin’s henchman, Julian. Their attempt to confront Julian fails, highlighting the danger of their pursuit.

    Where
    Old paint factory
  10. Car Explosion

    Following a night of bonding over drinks, Ashburn wakes up to find her car has been rigged and tragically blown up. This incident marks a significant escalation in their investigation, underscoring the risks they face.

    Where
    Boston
  11. Family Relocation

    To protect her loved ones, Mullins decides to move her family to a safer location. However, tension escalates when she discovers her brother Jason is actively working with Larkin, complicating their loyalty and trust.

    Where
    Motel
  12. Sting Operation Goes Wrong

    An FBI sting operation goes awry when they realize they've been misled, and Jason is caught in a dangerous situation. This failure fuels Mullins' desire for revenge and justice, intensifying the narrative.

    Where
    Boston
  13. Infiltrating the Warehouse

    Mullins and Ashburn gear up and infiltrate a warehouse linked to Larkin. Their mission results in capture by Julian, who threatens them with brutal torture, adding urgency to their escape.

    Where
    Larkin's warehouse
  14. Final Confrontation

    At the hospital, Ashburn musters her strength to confront Larkin, who threatens Jason’s life. In a tense climax, Ashburn and Mullins work together to thwart Larkin's plan, showcasing their developed partnership.

    Where
    Hospital
  15. Resolution and New Beginnings

    With Larkin brought to justice, Ashburn decides to stay in Boston and continue her work. Meanwhile, Mullins reconciles with her family, allowing them to celebrate her accomplishments, marking a new chapter in their lives.

    Where
    Boston

Last updated: November 02, 2024 at 12:41

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Timeline questions answered

The Heat Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why was Sarah Ashburn sent to Boston?

Ashburn was sent to Boston by her superior Hale to bring down drug kingpin Larkin. Hale believed she had the investigative skills to crack the case but needed her to prove she could work collaboratively with others, as her arrogance had made her unpopular with colleagues. He also promised her a potential promotion to his position if she succeeded.

  • fbi
  • assignment
  • boston
  • larkin
  • drug kingpin
Q2

Why was Shannon Mullins chosen as Ashburn's partner?

Mullins was chosen because she had extensive local knowledge and connections in Boston's criminal underworld. Despite her unorthodox and rule-breaking methods, her reputation for getting results made her valuable for the investigation. The partnership was meant to combine Ashburn's FBI expertise with Mullins' street-level understanding of Boston's drug trade.

  • mullins
  • partner
  • boston police
  • investigation
Q3

Why were the DEA agents worried about Ashburn and Mullins?

The DEA agents were already conducting their own ongoing case against Larkin and feared that Ashburn and Mullins' uncoordinated investigation could jeopardize their operation. They worried the two agents would alert Larkin to the broader law enforcement effort before they were ready to make their move.

  • dea
  • investigation
  • larkin
  • interference
Q4

Why was Mullins' brother Jason released from prison?

Jason was released from prison due to Mullins' earlier actions, specifically, she had testified against him in a previous case, which led to his incarceration. His release came after she requested a favor or made a deal that resulted in his early freedom, creating tension within their family.

  • jason
  • mullins brother
  • prison
  • released
Q5

Who exploded Sarah Ashburn's car?

Larkin's crew was responsible for blowing up Ashburn's car as a warning and to escalate the conflict. After Ashburn and Mullins' investigation began threatening Larkin's operations, they tampered with her car and detonated it remotely, though Ashburn escaped unharmed.

  • car explosion
  • larkin
  • attack
  • warning
Q6

Why did Mullins move her family to a motel?

Mullins moved her family to a motel to protect them after learning that Julian had escaped and might target her family as retaliation for their investigation. She was trying to keep them safe from Larkin's henchmen who knew her identity and connections.

  • mullins family
  • motel
  • protection
  • julian
Q7

How did Ashburn and Mullins escape from Julian at the warehouse?

While Julian was threatening them with torture, Mullins managed to free herself from her restraints and subdued Julian, allowing them to escape. This happened just as the situation became dire, turning the tables on their captor.

  • julian
  • warehouse
  • escape
  • torture
Q8

How did they catch Larkin at the hospital?

Larkin went to the hospital to kill Jason and eliminate the only witness against him. While Mullins rushed to protect her brother, Ashburn, injured but determined, crawled into action and stopped Larkin just in time. Together, the two partners overwhelmed Larkin and brought him into custody.

  • larkin
  • hospital
  • capture
  • final showdown
Q9

Why did Ashburn decide to stay in Boston after the case?

Ashburn decided to stay in Boston because she had developed a genuine friendship and partnership with Mullins. What began as a reluctant collaboration turned into a meaningful bond, making her want to continue working at the Boston field office rather than return to New York.

  • ashburn
  • boston
  • staying
  • partnership
  • mullins
Q10

Why did the FBI sting operation go wrong?

The FBI sting operation failed because they had been misled, the information they acted on was inaccurate, likely fed to them through Jason unknowingly. This resulted in an ambush where Jason was left critically injured, exposing the flaw in their intelligence.

  • fbi
  • sting operation
  • failed
  • ambush
  • jason

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Heat, by Mood & Story

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

Odd-Couple Action Comedies like The Heat

High-energy action fueled by the explosive chemistry of two total opposites. If you liked the hilarious clash and eventual partnership in The Heat, you'll enjoy these movies. This section features comedies and action films where mismatched duos—with clashing personalities and methods—are forced to work together, leading to chaotic, high-energy adventures and unexpectedly warm friendships.

  • mismatched-duo
  • action-packed
  • profane-humor
  • chaotic
  • cathartic
  • unexpected-friendship
  • Tone: tense, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a straightforward structure where two incompatible individuals are thrust into a shared goal, usually involving crime-solving or a dangerous mission. The plot is driven by their constant bickering and comedic missteps, which eventually transform into effective teamwork and a deep, supportive friendship by the film's conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a specific blend of high-octane action and character-driven comedy. The central pleasure comes from watching a volatile, opposites-attract dynamic evolve under pressure, resulting in a cathartic and action-packed journey with a feel-good resolution.

Profane and Chaotic Crime Comedies like The Heat

Unorthodox methods lead to messy, violent, but ultimately successful justice. Fans of The Heat's messy, high-energy approach to crime-fighting will love these films. Discover movies featuring abrasive but brilliant characters who bend the rules, embrace chaos, and use unorthodox—often violent—methods to achieve a cathartic and happy ending.

  • profane
  • cathartic
  • chaotic
  • unorthodox
  • high-energy
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, profane, unexpectedly warm
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often follow a procedural arc where a rule-bound protagonist is paired with or encounters a chaotic-force-of-nature character. The narrative tension comes from the clash between order and chaos, but the plot ultimately validates the effectiveness of the messy, instinct-driven approach, culminating in a decisive and triumphant win against the antagonists.

Why they belong together: These films share a unique vibe of controlled chaos. They balance high-intensity action and coarse humor with a core theme of unconventional competence. The appeal lies in the catharsis of seeing rule-breakers succeed spectacularly through sheer force of will and unapologetic skill.

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Movies Like The Heat

Similar movies to The Heat: 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 Heat (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Heat 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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