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The Humanity Bureau (2018) movie poster

Timeline

The Humanity Bureau (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 95 min · English
Echo score 38
Directed by
Rob W. King
Starring
Jett Klyne, Nicolas Cage, Sarah Lind, Vicellous Reon Shannon, Hugh Dillon, David Lovgren
Budget
$6M

In a future ravaged by global warming, the American Midwest is devastated, and a harsh government agency known as The Humanity Bureau enforces a policy of banishment. They send the most vulnerable citizens to the remote colony of New Eden. Caseworker Noah Kross, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, questions the Bureau's methods when investigating a desperate mother's request to save her son. As he delves deeper, Kross risks everything to expose the Bureau’s dark agenda and fight for those considered expendable.

Action Adventure Sci-Fi Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Humanity Bureau (2018)

Where can you watch The Humanity Bureau? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fawesome, Hoopla and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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16 events in order · contains spoilers

The Humanity Bureau Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Humanity Bureau (2018) 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. Introduction to Dystopia

    The film opens with a bleak portrayal of a dystopian America ravaged by war, environmental devastation, and political upheaval. This barren wasteland serves as the backdrop for a society where resources are scarce, and survival is a daily struggle for its inhabitants.

  2. The Role of the Humanity Bureau

    The Humanity Bureau is introduced as an oppressive organization that ruthlessly maintains societal efficiency. It sentences those deemed unproductive to deportation towards the desolate New Eden, a place that symbolizes despair and hopelessness.

  3. Noah Kross Assigned

    Noah Kross, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, is a stalwart agent of the Bureau tasked with deporting Chester Hills, a despondent former governor. During their tense encounter, Chester reveals that he clings to 'the truth,' culminating in a violent confrontation that tests Kross's resolve.

    Where
    Chester's residence

  4. Meeting Rachel and Lucas

    Kross's next assignment takes him to assess Rachel Weller, a struggling single mother, and her son Lucas. Despite their grueling circumstances, their resistance to the Bureau's demands stirs sympathy within Kross, prompting him to delay his report for Lucas's music recital.

    Where
    Rachel's home

  5. Bureau's Fury

    Kross’s act of kindness ignites the Bureau's ire, leading to a close scrutiny by his superior, Adam. Simultaneously, Chester’s cryptic remarks about New Eden deepen Kross's curiosity, pushing him closer to uncovering the grim realities behind their operations.

  6. Rachel Captured

    The following morning brings a shocking revelation: Rachel has been captured by the Bureau. In a daring moment, Lucas bravely blinds Adam with a BB gun, allowing Kross and the Weller family to escape from their pursuers with seconds to spare.

    Where
    Bureau headquarters

  7. Fleeing at the Gas Station

    Kross and the Weller family find temporary refuge at a gas station, where they confront the brutal realities of their situation. When Kross's credit card fails, he resorts to holding the station owner at gunpoint, before the owner selflessly aids their escape.

    Where
    Gas station

  8. Backlash at the Bureau

    Back at the Bureau, Adam faces dire consequences for letting Kross escape. The director delivers a chilling threat involving a child's tooth, symbolizing the grim fate that awaits those marked for elimination—a stark reminder of the Bureau's monstrous objectives.

    Where
    Bureau headquarters

  9. Journey to New Eden

    Determined to uncover the truth, Kross embarks on a treacherous journey with Rachel and Lucas, leaving behind the Bureau’s vehicle in search of freedom. They enlist the help of a mysterious figure who offers insight into a safer route but warns of the deadly radiation hazards ahead.

    Where
    Desolate landscape

  10. Tension in the Group

    As the trio maneuvers through the perilous landscape, tensions peak when Kross reveals his knowledge of Rachel Weller’s true identity. This revelation unearths a haunting history, leading to a bitter confrontation between Kross and Rachel, revealing deep emotional scars.

    Where
    Forest

  11. The Past Uncovered

    Flashbacks reveal Kross’s past connection to the real Rachel, who made an unimaginable choice during a period of famine. The harrowing discovery unveils the tragic circumstances that resulted in Rachel's imposter raising Lucas while concealing the truth of his lineage.

  12. False Alarm at Nuclear Power Plant

    The trio arrives at a nuclear power plant that has been falsely branded as radioactive. Upon checking their instruments, they uncover the truth behind the facade, realizing the guide’s deceit was meant to dissuade them from seeking freedom elsewhere.

    Where
    Nuclear power plant

  13. Confrontation at the Border

    As they reach the border, tensions flare when Agent Adam and his team confront Kross. In a desperate attempt to save Rachel, Kross reluctantly surrenders the memory card, only to discover it contains empty footage, making the sacrifice tragically futile.

    Where
    Border crossing

  14. Chaos Ensues

    In the aftermath of Adam's brutal act that leads to Rachel’s death, Lucas manages to escape amidst the chaos. The Canadian authorities arrive just in time to capture the remaining Bureau agents, marking a destructive turn in the film’s narrative.

  15. Revelation and Rebellion

    In a dramatic twist, the true memory card is found hidden within the rabbit's foot, exposing the horrific reality of New Eden. This revelation sparks a significant rebellion against the Bureau, setting the stage for an impending civil war as society begins to fight back.

  16. A Symbol of Hope

    In the poignant finale, Lucas visits a serene lake once cherished by Kross, honoring his father’s memory. This act symbolizes hope and resilience amidst the wreckage of their world, suggesting a chance for recovery and renewal amid ongoing chaos.

    Where
    A tranquil lake

Last updated: November 19, 2024 at 12:18

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Timeline questions answered

The Humanity Bureau Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Humanity Bureau (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Chester Hills refuse to go to New Eden?

Chester refuses because he knows New Eden is not the paradise the Bureau portrays. As a former Colorado governor, he has access to information about the Bureau's dark agenda and the true nature of New Eden as a death camp where unproductive citizens are eliminated.

  • chester hills
  • new eden
  • refusal
  • truth
  • bureau
Q2

Why does Noah Kross help Rachel and Lucas escape?

Kross begins to question the Bureau's methods after witnessing the harsh treatment of Chester and seeing Rachel and Lucas' desperate situation. His sympathy grows when he sees their love for each other and he postpones his report to let Lucas attend his music recital, an act of rebellion that marks his turning point from loyal agent to ally.

  • noah kross
  • rachel
  • lucas
  • escape
  • bureau
  • defection
Q3

What is New Eden really?

New Eden is presented as a remote colony for deported citizens, but it's actually a death camp where the Bureau systematically eliminates people deemed unproductive. The director uses a child's tooth in dust as a grim reminder to Adam that those sent to New Eden are executed.

  • new eden
  • death camp
  • extermination
  • bureau
  • exposed
Q4

Who is the real Rachel and what happened to her?

The real Rachel was Noah Kross's former lover. During a famine, she desperately tried to sell Lucas to a neighbor named Amanda. When Amanda discovered the plan, she killed Rachel and took her identity to raise Lucas herself, keeping the truth hidden from Kross.

  • real rachel
  • amanda
  • imposter
  • identity
  • history
Q5

Why does Amanda pretend to be Rachel and raise Lucas?

After killing the real Rachel when she attempted to sell her child during the famine, Amanda assumed Rachel's identity to avoid prosecution. She raised Lucas as her own, keeping the traumatic truth hidden while genuinely caring for him.

  • amanda
  • rachel
  • imposter
  • lucas
  • adoption
Q6

What is on the memory card and why does it matter?

The memory card contains hidden footage that exposes New Eden as a death camp and reveals the Bureau's genocide against unproductive citizens. This evidence becomes the catalyst for the rebellion that sparks civil war against the Bureau.

  • memory card
  • evidence
  • new eden
  • exposure
  • rebellion
Q7

How is the real memory card found?

Kross gave the real memory card to the man who provided the geiger counter, who hidden it inside a rabbit's foot given to Lucas for good luck. The fake card Kross handed to Adam contained empty footage, but the real one was discovered after the chaos and used to expose the Bureau.

  • rabbit foot
  • hidden card
  • evidence
  • switch
  • revelation
Q8

Why does Adam kill Rachel at the border?

Agent Adam kills Rachel to force Kross into handing over the memory card. He believes he can retrieve the evidence by threatening her life, but this brutal act ultimately fails since the real card was already hidden elsewhere.

  • adam
  • rachel
  • killed
  • border
  • memory card
  • threat
Q9

What happens to Noah Kross?

Kross is executed by Adam at the border after surrendering the memory card. Though he dies, his sacrifice and the hidden evidence ultimately expose the Bureau's crimes and spark the rebellion he fought for.

  • noah kross
  • death
  • killed
  • adam
  • sacrifice
Q10

What happens to Lucas at the end of the movie?

Lucas escapes during the confrontation at the border while Kross and Rachel are killed. He is later seen visiting the tranquil lake where Kross once fished, honoring his father's memory. This symbolizes hope and resilience despite the tragedy.

  • lucas
  • survival
  • ending
  • lake
  • memorial
  • hopeful
Q11

How does the Bureau's crimes get exposed?

After Adam kills Rachel and Kross dies, the Canadian authorities arrive and capture the remaining Bureau agents. The true memory card hidden in the rabbit's foot is recovered, and the footage exposing New Eden as a death camp is broadcast, triggering widespread outrage and a rebellion that plunges the nation into civil war.

  • bureau
  • exposed
  • rebellion
  • civil war
  • revolution

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Humanity Bureau, by Mood & Story

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

Dystopian Conspiracy Thrillers like The Humanity Bureau

Fast-paced chases to expose a corrupt government's dark secret. If you enjoyed the high-stakes chase and shocking revelations in The Humanity Bureau, you'll find similar tension in these movies. They feature grim futures, oppressive regimes, and protagonists risking everything to expose a dark agenda, perfect for fans of fast-paced, paranoid sci-fi action.

  • tense
  • paranoid
  • oppressive
  • gritty
  • desperate
  • conspiratorial
  • Tone: dark, tense, paranoid
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a pattern of discovery and flight. A character, often an insider, stumbles upon a deeply buried secret that threatens the fabric of society or reveals institutional genocide. This leads to a tense cat-and-mouse game against a powerful, unforgiving system.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core identity: a high-intensity, dark tone centered on exposing a systemic lie. They combine the oppressive atmosphere of a dystopian world with the gripping structure of a conspiracy thriller, creating a consistently tense and paranoid viewing experience.

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They Cloned Tyrone

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The Running Man movie poster

The Running Man

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Dark Asset movie poster

Dark Asset

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Crime Zone movie poster

Crime Zone

1988
The Humanity Bureau movie poster

The Humanity Bureau

2018
Nemesis movie poster

Nemesis

1992
Equilibrium movie poster

Equilibrium

2002
Code 8 movie poster

Code 8

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Movies with Bittersweet Sacrifice like The Humanity Bureau

Personal tragedy sparks a flicker of hope in a grim setting. For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bittersweet ending of The Humanity Bureau, this thread collects films where noble sacrifices in dark settings lead to a complex mix of sadness and hope. These stories resonate with themes of parental love and moral courage against overwhelming odds.

  • somber
  • bleak
  • hopeful
  • desperate
  • tragic
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: somber, bleak, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, building to climax
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The emotional journey revolves around a character's moral awakening and ultimate sacrifice. The protagonist confronts a cruel system or dire circumstance, often to protect someone vulnerable. Their selfless act results in personal tragedy but ignites a larger change, leaving the audience with a poignant mix of sorrow and hope.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared emotional core: a heavy, somber mood punctuated by a sacrificial act that provides a bittersweet resolution. They explore the cost of heroism in bleak environments, delivering a powerful, emotionally resonant conclusion that is both sad and meaningful.

Phoenix 2772 movie poster

Phoenix 2772

1980
Future World movie poster

Future World

2018
Look to the Light movie poster

Look to the Light

2024
Sacrifice movie poster

Sacrifice

2000
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within movie poster

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

2001
Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal movie poster

Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal

2015
Mutant Chronicles movie poster

Mutant Chronicles

2009
In the Lost Lands movie poster

In the Lost Lands

2025

Every angle

The Humanity Bureau (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Humanity Bureau 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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