Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Interview (2014) movie poster

Timeline

The Interview (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 112 min · Spanish
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Evan Goldberg
Starring
James Franco, Randall Park, Seth Rogen, Lizzy Caplan, Diana Bang

Two tabloid journalists, Dave Skylark and Aaron Rapoport, find themselves in an extraordinary situation when they are enlisted by the CIA to assassinate North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un. The unlikely pair must then embark on a dangerous and comedic mission to Pyongyang, encountering deadly espionage and navigating significant cultural differences along the way.

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 Interview
  6. 6 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Interview Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Interview (2014) 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. Opening Scene

    The film opens dramatically with a young Korean girl singing the North Korean national anthem. This anthem is filled with violent and hateful sentiments directed towards the United States, setting a tense tone for the film.

  2. Nuclear Missile Launch

    A nuclear missile is launched into the sky, capturing the attention of news outlets across America. This launch highlights the escalating tensions and controversial actions of Kim Jong-un.

  3. Introduction of Dave Skylark

    We are introduced to Dave Skylark, the charismatic host of the entertainment talk show *Skylark Tonight*. His personality and charm play off the serious backdrop of North Korea's aggressive posturing.

    Where
    New York City
  4. Interview with Eminem

    During a segment of his show, Dave interviews Eminem, who inadvertently reveals his sexual orientation while discussing the offensive lyrics in his music. This revelation opens up potential for higher ratings and becomes a topic of interest for the show's crew.

    Where
    Skylark Tonight Studio
  5. Celebration of 1,000th Episode

    The crew celebrates their 1,000th episode with a surprise party for producer Aaron Rapoport. However, a conversation with an old schoolmate leaves Aaron questioning the depth and substance of their work.

  6. Memorable Guest Appearance

    Dave has a cringe-worthy moment with guest Rob Lowe, who humorously removes his hairpiece. The moment contributes to the comedic tone of the show, despite creating discomfort.

    Where
    Skylark Tonight Studio
  7. Aaron's Ambitions

    Aaron becomes increasingly motivated to pursue meaningful stories, causing tension with Dave, who initially supports this ambition. This shift marks a turning point in their relationship and the direction of the show.

  8. The CIA Proposition

    CIA Agents Lacey and Botwin present Dave and Aaron with a shocking plan: to assassinate Kim Jong-un during their visit. Dave is drawn to the rash idea but Aaron expresses concern over the dangers involved.

    Where
    CIA Headquarters
  9. Preparing for the Assassination

    At the CIA, Dave and Aaron receive a briefing that includes absurd yet serious details about their mission. The plan involves a ricin-laced strip meant for use during a handshake, showcasing the chaotic nature of their assignment.

    Where
    CIA Headquarters
  10. Arrival in Pyongyang

    Once they arrive in Pyongyang, they are welcomed by North Korean officials, but soon find themselves in incredibly chaotic situations. The absurdity of their mission clashes with the bizarre reality of life in North Korea.

    Where
    Pyongyang
  11. Meeting Kim Jong-un

    Dave spends time with Kim Jong-un, who initially appears charming but quickly reveals a darker and aggressive side. Their interactions highlight the tension between comedy and danger as the assignment progresses.

  12. Live Interview Tensions

    During a live interview, Dave poses challenging questions to Kim, forcing him to confront uncomfortable truths about his regime. The question-and-answer session escalates tensions significantly, leading to unforeseen complications.

  13. Chaos in the Control Room

    As the interview takes a chaotic turn, the control room erupts in confusion. This moment underscores the absurdity of their dangerous mission, where comedy mingles with political intrigue.

  14. Escape and Assassination Attempt

    In a thrilling climax, Dave survives a live assassination attempt. With the aide of Aaron and Sook, they navigate explosions and near-death experiences in a chaotic effort to escape.

    Where
    Pyongyang
  15. A Hopeful Conclusion

    Following their harrowing adventure, Dave's experiences inspire him to write a tell-all book. His journey leads to a hopeful outlook for North Korea as it begins to shift towards democratic practices.

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 12:21

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The Interview Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Interview (2014): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did the CIA recruit two entertainment journalists for such a dangerous covert operation?

The CIA specifically chose Dave and Aaron because Kim Jong-un was a genuine fan of their show, Skylark Tonight. This gave them unique access that professional spies wouldn't have. The plan relied on exploiting Kim's desire to appear on a popular American talk show rather than traditional espionage channels.

  • cia mission
  • entertainment journalists
  • recruitment
  • covert operation
  • access
Q2

How did Aaron manage to secure an interview with Kim Jong-un?

After discovering that Kim was a fan of Skylark Tonight, Aaron pursued the opportunity aggressively. He traveled to China for discussions with North Korean officials and successfully negotiated the interview, though the summary doesn't detail the specific negotiations that made it possible.

  • interview
  • negotiation
  • access
  • north korea officials
Q3

What was the ricin strip assassination plan and why did it fail?

The CIA provided Dave and Aaron with a ricin-laced strip designed to poison Kim during a handshake. However, the preparation went wrong in comedic fashion, causing chaos during the briefing. The plan ultimately failed to work as intended, forcing them to improvise their approach.

  • ricin
  • poison
  • assassination plan
  • failure
  • cia briefing
Q4

Why did Kim Jong-un agree to do an interview with an American talk show?

Kim Jong-un was a fan of Skylark Tonight and wanted to appear on the show to reach American audiences. His ego and desire for celebrity validation made him agree to the interview, not realizing it would become a confrontation about his regime's crimes.

  • kim jong-un interview
  • motivation
  • celebrity
  • american audience
Q5

What triggered the chaos during the live interview with Kim?

During the live interview, Dave began asking probing questions that forced Kim to confront uncomfortable truths about his regime. This confrontation caused Kim's facade to crack, revealing his darker, aggressive personality and escalating tensions in the control room into full chaos.

  • live interview
  • confrontation
  • regime truth
  • chaos
  • control room
Q6

How did Dave survive the live assassination attempt?

In the chaotic climax, Dave survived the assassination attempt through a combination of luck and quick thinking. With help from Aaron and Sook, he navigated explosions and near-death experiences during their escape from Pyongyang.

  • assassination attempt
  • survival
  • escape
  • explosions
  • pyongyang
Q7

Who is Sook and what was her role in the story?

Sook is a North Korean official who helps Dave and Aaron during their mission in Pyongyang. She assists them during the chaotic escape and maintains a bond with Aaron that continues even after they leave North Korea.

  • sook
  • north korean official
  • help
  • escape
  • relationship
Q8

Why did North Korea democratize at the end of the movie?

The movie depicts an optimistic but unrealistic ending where North Korea begins shifting toward democracy after the events of the film. This happy ending serves the comedic tone of the movie rather than following any specific narrative logic from the plot.

  • democracy
  • ending
  • north korea
  • hopeful conclusion
Q9

Why did Aaron warn Dave about Kim's manipulative skills?

Aaron warned Dave about Kim's manipulative abilities because he recognized the danger of underestimating a dictator's psychological tactics. This warning highlighted Aaron's more cautious approach compared to Dave's reckless enthusiasm for the mission.

  • manipulation
  • warning
  • aaron
  • dictator
  • danger
Q10

What caused the tiger chase scene in Pyongyang?

After arriving in Pyongyang, Dave and Aaron found themselves in comedic yet perilous misadventures, including a tiger chase. This sequence represented the absurd dangers they faced while navigating the unfamiliar and hostile environment of North Korea.

  • tiger chase
  • danger
  • pyongyang
  • comedy
  • adventure
Q11

Why did Dave decide to confront Kim during the interview?

During the live interview, Dave chose to ask challenging questions that forced Kim to address his regime's crimes. This decision shifted the interview from entertainment into confrontation, driven by the gravity of the situation and possibly Aaron's influence encouraging more serious journalism.

  • confrontation
  • interview questions
  • regime
  • journalism
  • dave skylark
Q12

Why did Aaron question the substance of his work after reconnecting with his old schoolmate?

At their 1,000th episode celebration, Aaron's old schoolmate Jake criticized their shallow entertainment topics. This encounter made Aaron question whether their work had meaning, driving his later ambition to pursue more serious, impactful stories.

  • aaron
  • career doubt
  • meaningful work
  • journalism
  • personal growth

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Interview, by Mood & Story

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

Espionage Satire Movies like The Interview

Absurd comedies where incompetent heroes stumble through dangerous international plots. If you enjoyed the outrageous mix of spies and comedy in The Interview, you'll like these movies. This list features action-comedies where high-stakes political missions are tackled with irreverent humor, featuring clueless protagonists, absurd situations, and satirical takes on power.

  • satirical
  • anxious
  • chaotic
  • absurd
  • outrageous
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: light, irreverent
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows an unlikely individual or duo thrust into a serious political or espionage scenario far beyond their capabilities. Their journey is a series of mishaps, narrow escapes, and comedic blunders that somehow, against all odds, lead to a resolution. The plot maintains high stakes but consistently undercuts tension with humor, ensuring the overall tone remains light.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their unique blend of a high-intensity espionage framework with a deliberately light, satirical tone. They share a fast pace, chaotic action sequences, and protagonists who succeed through luck and absurdity rather than skill, creating a consistently hilarious and suspenseful experience.

Buddy Action-Comedy Movies Similar to The Interview

Mismatched duos facing extreme danger with a constant stream of jokes. Looking for more movies like The Interview? This list features hilarious buddy action-comedies where a pair of misfits navigate dangerous and absurd plots. You'll find films with strong male friendship, fast-paced humor, and a mix of action and comedy reminiscent of Dave and Aaron's adventure.

  • comedic
  • chaotic
  • irreverent
  • bromance
  • action-packed
  • lighthearted
  • Tone: light, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story revolves around the dynamic between two central characters, whose contrasting personalities create both conflict and comedy. Thrown into a dangerous, often ridiculous scenario, their journey is as much about strengthening their bond as it is about achieving their goal. The plot is linear and driven by set-pieces that showcase their teamwork and comedic banter.

Why they belong together: These films are united by the central theme of a comedic partnership overcoming odds. They share a light emotional weight, a fast pace that keeps the jokes and action coming, and a straightforward narrative that prioritizes character interaction and humorous escapades over complex plotting.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Interview

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

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Interview (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Interview 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app