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Timeline

The Invisibles (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 110 min · German
Echo score 64
JustWatch #23,352
Directed by
Claus Räfle
Starring
Max Mauff, Ruby O. Fee, Alice Dwyer, Florian Lukas, Aaron Altaras, Andreas Schmidt
Budget
$7M

During the tumultuous years of World War II in Berlin, four Jewish teenagers risk everything to evade the Nazi regime. They adopt a daring and unconventional lifestyle, skillfully navigating the dangers of the Third Reich and maintaining a precarious existence. Their bravery, resourcefulness, and determination are tested as they struggle to remain hidden and survive the horrors surrounding them.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Invisibles (2019)

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Invisibles Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Invisibles (2019) 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. Cioma's Early Life

    In 1942, Cioma Schönhaus, a 20-year-old Jewish man, navigates the chaotic streets of Berlin. As he witnesses the increasing dangers faced by Jews, he relies on his wit and resourcefulness to stay alive.

    When
    1942
    Where
    Berlin
  2. Assuming a New Identity

    To evade capture, Cioma begins posing as a munitions factory worker. This disguise becomes crucial as he attempts to navigate the perilous landscape of Nazi Germany and the threats to his life.

    Where
    Berlin
  3. Tragedy Strikes

    Cioma receives news of his parents’ tragic fate, a devastating blow that underscores the horrors of the Holocaust. This moment deepens his resolve to survive against increasing odds.

  4. Betrayal and Courage

    An encounter with Stella Goldschlag, a former classmate, could lead to Cioma’s ruin. Instead of betraying him, she shows compassion, providing him with a moment of hope amidst despair.

  5. The Risk of Capture

    In a careless moment, Cioma leaves behind a bag containing passport photos of other Jews on a train. This oversight leads a warrant for his arrest, forcing him to seek refuge.

    Where
    Train
  6. Finding Sanctuary

    After his near capture, Cioma takes shelter with Helene Jacobs. However, this sanctuary is short-lived as betrayal lurks in the shadows, leading to his eventual arrest.

  7. A Daring Escape

    In a desperate bid for freedom, Cioma forges a military pass to cycle from Berlin to Switzerland. Racing against time, he risks everything to escape the clutches of the Nazis.

    Where
    Berlin to Switzerland
  8. Hanni's Struggles

    Meanwhile, 17-year-old Hanni Lévy faces dire circumstances after losing her mother. She finds temporary comfort with a family, but their arrest forces her to assume a new identity.

  9. Forming New Bonds

    As Hanni adapts to her new identity as 'Hannelore Winkler,' she develops a close relationship with Viktoria Kolzer, who becomes her anchor amidst a world of chaos and danger.

  10. Eugen's Journey

    Eugen Friede struggles with the harsh realities of being a Jew, facing daily harassment on his commute. Despite the fear, small acts of kindness from strangers offer him a flicker of hope.

  11. Resistance Through Unity

    Eugen joins forces with Werner Scharff and Fancia Grün to print leaflets condemning the Nazi regime. Their shared determination fuels a spirit of rebellion against their oppressors.

  12. A Close Call

    As Eugen's family faces betrayal, he experiences a narrow escape from capture on his 19th birthday. A German officer unexpectedly shows mercy, coinciding with the arrival of the Russian forces.

  13. Ruth and Jochen's Trials

    Ruth Arndt and her brother Jochen seek refuge from capture with the Gehre family. Their attempts to hide become fraught with tension as they navigate the looming threat of discovery.

  14. Finding Temporary Work

    Ruth and Ellen find employment as maids for a high-ranking Nazi officer. Despite knowing their Jewish identity, the officer provides them with protection, highlighting the complexity of survival.

  15. Arrival of Russian Soldiers

    As the war nears its end, the arrival of Russian soldiers signifies both hope and danger. Jochen and Bruno face a life-threatening moment when they must prove their Jewish heritage.

    Where
    Berlin

Last updated: November 18, 2024 at 21:19

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Timeline questions answered

The Invisibles Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Invisibles (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Stella Goldschlag spare Cioma when she recognized him?

Stella Goldschlag, a former classmate of Cioma who had become a Jewish informant for the Gestapo, recognized him but chose compassion over betrayal. Instead of turning him in, she wished him farewell and let him go. This act of mercy deeply influenced Cioma's later outlook on love and mercy, demonstrating that even those forced into collaboration could still choose humanity.

  • stella goldschlag
  • cioma schonhaus
  • compassion
  • former classmate
  • gestapo informant
Q2

How did Cioma manage to escape from Berlin to Switzerland?

After being betrayed and arrested, Cioma seized a desperate opportunity. He forged a military pass and embarked on an audacious cycling journey from Berlin to Switzerland. He raced against time, knowing that once the border closed or he was discovered, he would face capture or death. This daring ride represented his final bid for freedom.

  • cioma schonhaus
  • escape
  • switzerland
  • border
  • cycling
  • forged pass
Q3

Why did Hanni dye her hair blond to appear German?

After losing her mother and being forced to leave the family that had hidden her when they got arrested, Hanni assumed the identity of "Hannelore Winkler." She went to extreme lengths to blend in as a typical German girl, including dyeing her hair blond. This was a survival tactic, looking Aryan reduced her risk of being identified as Jewish by Nazi patrols and ordinary citizens.

  • hanni levy
  • hannelore winkler
  • hair
  • dye
  • blond
  • survival
  • identity
Q4

What was the purpose of the leaflets that Eugen and his group printed?

Eugen joined forces with Werner Scharff and Fancia Grün to print anti-Nazi leaflets that condemned the regime. These resistance materials were distributed to spread information and hope, fueling rebellion against the oppressors. This act represented a dangerous but deliberate choice to fight back rather than merely survive in hiding.

  • eugen friede
  • werner scharff
  • fancia grün
  • leaflets
  • resistance
  • nazi regime
  • printing
Q5

Why did a high-ranking Nazi officer protect Ruth and Jochen?

Despite knowing Ruth and Jochen were Jewish, a high-ranking Nazi officer employing them as maids chose to provide protection and sustenance. This highlights the film's portrayal of ordinary Germans, Nazis, and even individuals within the regime who risked everything to help those being persecuted. The officer's actions demonstrate the complex moral landscape where some within the oppressive system still chose humanity.

  • ruth arndt
  • jochen
  • nazi officer
  • protection
  • maids
  • survival
Q6

What led to Cioma's arrest after staying with Helene Jacobs?

Cioma's carelessness nearly led to his capture when he left a bag containing passport photos of other Jews on a train. This oversight resulted in a warrant for his arrest. He then sought shelter with Helene Jacobs, but was ultimately betrayed and arrested, losing his precarious home yet again.

  • cioma schonhaus
  • arrested
  • betrayal
  • helene jacobs
  • passport photos
  • train
Q7

Why was Eugen released from detention on his 19th birthday?

Eugen was detained after his family faced betrayal, but experienced a miraculous narrow escape. On his 19th birthday, coinciding with the arrival of the Russian army, a German officer unexpectedly showed mercy and released him. This moment represents both the arbitrary cruelty and unexpected kindness that characterized survival during the Holocaust.

  • eugen friede
  • release
  • birthday
  • 19th
  • german officer
  • russian army
  • mercy
Q8

What happened to the Gehre family who protected Ruth and Jochen?

Ruth and Jochen sought refuge with the Gehre family, who owed a debt of gratitude to Ruth's father. Their attempts to hide became increasingly fraught when a government official needed to assess housing, putting their safe haven at risk. The family faced the constant threat of discovery throughout the war.

  • ruth arndt
  • jochen
  • gehre family
  • refuge
  • betrayal
  • discovery
Q9

How did Hanni survive being homeless in Berlin during the war?

After her protectors were betrayed and arrested, Hanni found herself homeless and exhausted. She eventually collapsed and was taken in by Oskar Kolzer, whose mother Viktoria Kolzer provided temporary shelter. Following Oskar's enlistment, Hanni developed a profound bond with Viktoria, who became her anchor as tragedy loomed around them.

  • hanni levy
  • homeless
  • berlin
  • viktoria kolzer
  • oskar kolzer
  • shelter
  • survival
Q10

What happened when Russian soldiers arrived in Berlin at the end of the war?

As the war neared its end, Russian soldiers arrived in Berlin, signaling both hope and danger. Jochen and Bruno faced a life-threatening moment when they had to recite a Jewish prayer to prove their heritage to vengeful soldiers. The arrival marked the beginning of the end of Nazi rule but also brought new perils for hidden Jews.

  • russian soldiers
  • berlin
  • jochen
  • bruno
  • war end
  • prayer
  • heritage

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Invisibles, by Mood & Story

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

Claustrophobic Survival Movies like The Invisibles

Stories of individuals hiding in plain sight, battling constant fear and isolation. If you were gripped by the tense, hidden existence in The Invisibles, discover more movies about survival under oppression. These films share a similar feel of constant danger, resourcefulness, and the heavy emotional toll of living in secret, often set against historical or dystopian backdrops.

  • tense
  • anxious
  • claustrophobic
  • gripping
  • determined
  • hopeful
  • Tone: tense, anxious, determined
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread follow a protagonist or group navigating a world where they are actively hunted or cannot reveal their true identity. The plot revolves around a series of close calls, acts of defiance, and the immense psychological pressure of their precarious situation, often culminating in a resolution that acknowledges the high cost of survival.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they create a uniquely tense and anxious viewing experience. They share a high-intensity, emotionally heavy tone, a steady pacing that builds relentless pressure, and a central theme of human resilience in the face of persecution and imminent threat.

Movies with Bittersweet Endings like The Invisibles

Narratives where survival is a victory, but the emotional scars remain profound. For viewers moved by the bittersweet conclusion of The Invisibles, this section features similar films where survival comes at a great cost. These movies balance heavy themes of loss and trauma with a testament to human courage, leaving a lasting, complex emotional impact.

  • bittersweet
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • gripping
  • somber
  • emotional
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows an ensemble cast through a prolonged period of hardship, such as war or disaster. The journey is marked by sacrifice, betrayal, and profound loss. The ending is not purely tragic; it validates the survivors' endurance but heavily underscores the price paid, creating a reflective and emotionally resonant finale.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their ability to deliver a powerful, bittersweet emotional payload. They share a heavy emotional weight, a steady pacing that allows tragedy to unfold meaningfully, and a tone that skillfully balances despair with glimmers of hope, making the survival feel earned yet somber.

Every angle

The Invisibles (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Invisibles 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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