Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Law (2010) movie poster

Timeline

The Law (2010) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2010 · 114 min · Czech
Directed by
Jules Dassin

Set in a picturesque Mediterranean town, a captivating housekeeper named Marietta finds herself at the center of a complex situation involving desire and deception. Several men are vying for her attention, but Marietta is drawn to Enrico, whom she hopes to marry. To achieve her goal, she cleverly manipulates the affections and ambitions of her pursuers, turning their own schemes against them in a battle of wits and charm.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like The Law
  5. 5 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Law Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Law (2010) 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 of Mickey Haller as a criminal defense attorney

    Mickey Haller operates out of his black Lincoln Town Car around Los Angeles County, defending various criminals. He is known for being a smooth yet brutal lawyer, extending jail time for clients who refuse to pay his fees, such as Harold Casey. His assistant Lorna supports him in managing his cases and clients.

    Where
    Los Angeles County
  2. Haller's case against Harold Casey

    Haller extends Harold Casey's incarceration, deliberately delaying proceedings by claiming he cannot locate a key witness. Haller demands a fee and creates a hoax about flying in an expert witness, which turns out to be false. This showcases Haller's reliance on manipulation and strategic delays.

  3. Haller takes on Louis Roulet's case

    Haller lands perhaps his most significant case, defending Louis Roulet, a Beverly Hills playboy accused of brutally assaulting prostitute Reggie Campo. Roulet specifically chooses Haller based on a previous case, setting the stage for a high-profile trial. Bail is set at $1 million, but Roulet is released with an ankle bracelet.

    Where
    Los Angeles
  4. The case details and initial defenses

    Roulet claims he was at Reggie's apartment after she approached him at a bar. He states he was attacked after entering her apartment, with his prints found on a knife. Reggie alleges Roulet assaulted her and hit her with a vodka bottle, which contributed to her injuries. Haller begins analyzing evidence, suspecting Roulet's innocence.

    Where
    Reggie's apartment
  5. Haller investigates the evidence and past case

    Haller, along with investigator Frank Levin, examines the injuries and evidence, noticing similarities to a past case involving Jesus Martinez, who was convicted of murder. Haller starts to question if Roulet might be linked to that case, despite confidentiality restrictions preventing him from sharing what he learns with police.

  6. Roulet admits to the murder of Martinez's victim

    Roulet nonchalantly reveals to Haller that he committed the murder for which Martinez was imprisoned. He confesses to deliberately seeking Haller's counsel to leverage attorney-client privilege and threatens Haller's family. Roulet's admission raises suspicion about his true nature.

    Where
    Haller's home
  7. Levin's murder and missing weapon

    Frank Levin is murdered after leaving a voicemail about discovering Martinez's escape ticket. The weapon used is a .22 caliber pistol, which Haller's own gun, registered in his name, is stolen from his home. Roulet's involvement is suspected as he learns about Levin's investigation.

    Where
    Haller's home
  8. Discrediting witnesses and case dismissal

    Haller cross-examines Reggie to undermine her credibility. He then uses an informant, Dwayne Jeffrey 'DJ' Corliss, to gather evidence against Roulet. The prosecution dismisses charges, but Roulet is then arrested for Martinez's murder based on the informant's testimony, illustrating Haller's strategic tactics.

  9. Roulet's attempt on Haller's family and subsequent attack

    Roulet, released due to lack of evidence, tries to kill Haller's wife and daughter. However, Haller intervenes just in time. Roulet is beaten by bikers Haller previously helped, and Haller warns that he will face justice in the hospital rather than the morgue. This sequence shows Roulet's desperation.

    Where
    Haller's home
  10. Confession of the murder by Roulet's mother

    Haller discovers Roulet's mother, Mary Windsor, inside his home. She confesses to killing Levin with her Colt Woodsman pistol to protect her son. In self-defense, Haller shoots and kills her, confronting the violent and complex family dynamics at play.

    Where
    Haller's home
  11. Aftermath and next steps

    Following his recovery, Haller learns that Jesus Martinez has been released from prison, and the district attorney plans to seek the death penalty against Roulet. Haller commits to defending his client, planning his next moves in the ongoing legal battle, exemplifying his ongoing dedication to justice.

  12. Haller's new case and commitment

    Haller rides off to represent a biker gang pro bono, reflecting his sense of responsibility and willingness to support those he has previously defended. This decision signals his ongoing fight for justice beyond high-profile cases and his personal aspirations.

Last updated: July 16, 2025 at 07:58

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

The Law Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Law (2010): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Mickey Haller keep Harold Casey in jail longer?

Haller deliberately prolongs Casey's incarceration because Casey refuses to pay his legal fees. Haller manipulates the court by claiming he cannot locate a key witness, creating a fake scenario about flying in an expert witness to delay proceedings. This showcases Haller's willingness to use questionable tactics to pressure clients into paying.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish Haller as a lawyer who operates from his car and uses every legal advantage, setting up his morally ambiguous character.

  • harold casey
  • delay tactics
  • legal fees
  • mickey haller
Q2

Why does Louis Roulet specifically hire Mickey Haller?

Roulet deliberately selects Haller because he knows Haller previously defended Jesus Martinez, who was convicted of murder. By hiring Haller, Roulet exploits attorney-client privilege to manipulate the legal system, knowing Haller cannot disclose information learned during their consultations to police.

Foreshadowing: The timeline reveals Roulet specifically chose Haller based on a previous case, hinting at his calculated motive from the start.

  • louis roulet
  • attorney client privilege
  • jesus martinez
  • manipulation
Q3

How are the Reggie Campo and Jesus Martinez cases connected?

Haller notices the injuries sustained by Reggie Campo closely resemble those from a prior case involving Jesus Martinez, who was convicted of murdering Donna Renteria. This similarity leads Haller to suspect Roulet may be connected to Martinez's case, possibly the actual murderer, despite Martinez being the one in prison.

Foreshadowing: The timeline explicitly notes Haller examines injuries and evidence, noticing unsettling parallels between the two cases.

  • reggie campo
  • jesus martinez
  • similar injuries
  • donna renteria
Q4

Why does Louis Roulet confess to Haller and threaten his family?

Roulet confesses to Haller that he murdered Martinez's victim (Donna Renteria) because he deliberately chose Haller as his lawyer to exploit attorney-client privilege. By confessing to his attorney, he knows Haller cannot disclose this to police. Roulet then threatens Haller's daughter Hayley to ensure his silence, using the confidentiality rules as a shield for his crimes.

Foreshadowing: This revelation comes right after Haller visits Martinez at San Quentin, where Martinez becomes agitated, hinting at the truth Roulet later confirms.

  • confession
  • attorney client privilege
  • threat
  • hayley haller
Q5

Who actually kills Frank Levin?

Frank Levin is murdered by Mary Windsor, Louis Roulet's mother. She shoots Levin with a .22 caliber Colt Woodsman pistol to protect her son after learning about his crimes. Levin had been investigating the connection between Roulet and the Martinez case, leaving a voicemail about discovering Martinez's escape ticket before being killed.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Roulet learns about Levin's investigation, and Haller's own gun (registered in his name) goes missing from his house, creating the false impression Roulet was responsible.

  • frank levin
  • mary windsor
  • shot
  • colt woodsman pistol
Q6

Why does Mickey Haller hire an informant against his own client?

Haller secretly hires Dwayne Jeffrey 'DJ' Corliss, a known prison informant, to gather evidence against Roulet. This strategic move backfires in an unexpected way, the informant's testimony leads to charges being dropped against Roulet for Reggie's attack, but it also results in Roulet being arrested for the murder of Donna Renteria. Haller uses the informant to expose his client's true nature.

Foreshadowing: This desperate tactic follows Levin's murder and Haller's growing belief that Roulet is guilty of multiple crimes.

  • dj corliss
  • informant
  • evidence
  • strategy
Q7

Why does Louis Roulet try to kill Haller's family?

After being released due to lack of evidence, Roulet attempts to murder Haller's wife Maggie and daughter Hayley. This is an act of desperation, Roulet wants to eliminate Haller's family before he can continue pursuing justice against him. The attack demonstrates Roulet's willingness to do whatever it takes to escape consequences for his crimes.

Foreshadowing: Roulet previously threatened Hayley during his confession, establishing his intent to target Haller's family.

  • maggie haller
  • hayley haller
  • attack
  • murder attempt
Q8

Why does Roulet's mother kill Frank Levin?

Mary Windsor kills Frank Levin to protect her son. After discovering what Roulet has done, his crimes against Reggie Campo and his involvement in Donna Renteria's murder, she decides to eliminate anyone who might expose him. She uses her own Colt Woodsman pistol to shoot Levin, believing this would safeguard her son from prosecution.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows Mary Windsor as a character who will do anything for her son, culminating in her tragic choice.

  • mary windsor
  • protect son
  • colt woodsman
  • murder
Q9

What happens to Jesus Martinez after the trial?

After Haller recovers from his injuries, he learns that Jesus Martinez has been released from prison. The district attorney now plans to seek the death penalty against Louis Roulet for the murder of Donna Renteria. Martinez's wrongful imprisonment ends because evidence linking Roulet to the crime emerges through the course of Haller's investigation.

Foreshadowing: Haller's suspicion about Martinez's innocence threads throughout the film, with the parking ticket evidence finally providing proof of Roulet's guilt.

  • jesus martinez
  • released
  • death penalty
  • louis roulet
Q10

Why does Mickey Haller continue representing Roulet after everything?

Despite Roulet's crimes, including threatening his family and being responsible for multiple murders, Haller continues defending him because as his attorney, he is bound by legal ethics to represent his client. Additionally, by keeping Roulet as his client, Haller maintains access to the case and can ensure Roulet faces proper justice through the legal system rather than acting as judge and jury himself.

Foreshadowing: This reflects Haller's complex moral code established early in the film, he plays by the rules even when those rules benefit criminals.

  • ethics
  • legal obligation
  • justice
  • representation

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Law, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with Cunning Protagonists and Intricate Manipulations like The Law

Stories where charm and intellect are the primary weapons in a high-stakes game. If you enjoyed the clever, manipulative strategies in The Law, this list features movies where characters use their wits and charm to navigate complex situations. These films share a focus on intellectual battles, moral ambiguity, and protagonists who are masters of deception, offering a thrilling and thought-provoking viewing experience.

  • manipulative
  • calculating
  • tense
  • psychological
  • morally complex
  • suspenseful
  • Tone: dark, cynical
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often follow a master manipulator as they execute a complex plan, pitting other characters against each other. The journey involves rising tension as the scheme progresses, with the central conflict being one of wits rather than brute force, leading to consequences that are often morally complex.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on intelligent, strategic protagonists and the psychological tension of their manipulations. They create a specific type of suspense rooted in anticipation and moral questioning, rather than overt action.

Movies about Bittersweet Justice in a Corrupt World like The Law

Stories where achieving justice comes at a profound personal cost. For viewers who appreciated the costly victory and moral weight of The Law, this collection features similar films where justice is achieved but at great personal expense. These stories often involve legal battles, investigations into corruption, and protagonists who are forever changed by their pursuit of a bittersweet truth.

  • bittersweet
  • gripping
  • tense
  • morally complex
  • corruption
  • justice
  • Tone: dark, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist confronting a powerful, corrupt system or individual. The climax resolves the central conflict, often exposing the truth or punishing the guilty, but the resolution is tempered by significant loss, trauma, or a newfound understanding of the world's inherent darkness.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their shared emotional arc: a journey toward a justified outcome that feels more like a pyrrhic victory than a triumph. The focus is on the emotional and moral toll of the conflict, creating a deeply resonant and heavy viewing experience.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Law

Similar movies to The Law: 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 Law (2010) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Law 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