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The Lost City (2022) movie poster

Timeline

The Lost City (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 92 min · English
Echo score 63
JustWatch #980 67
Directed by
Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
Starring
Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum, Oscar Nuñez, Raymond Lee, Daniel Radcliffe, Sandra Bullock
Budget
$74M

A reclusive romance novelist, Loretta Sage, is taken on a perilous expedition by a quirky billionaire who believes she holds the key to a lost city’s treasure. Her cover model, Alan, a handsome and adventurous man, sets out to find her, determined to demonstrate that he's more than just a face. Together, they navigate dangerous traps and face thrilling challenges in a race to uncover the ancient city's secrets.

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 Lost City
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Lost City (2022)

Where can you watch The Lost City? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and Paramount Plus Essential: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Lost City Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Lost City (2022) 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. Loretta's New Book Release

    Dr. Loretta Sage, an author known for her romance-adventure novels, prepares for the release of her latest book featuring her characters, Dr. Angela Lovemore and Dash McMahon. Her publisher, Beth Hatten, believes that a book tour will help promote the novel, adding pressure for Loretta to step into the public eye once again.

  2. Reluctant Participation in Book Tour

    Despite her reservations stemming from her husband's passing, Loretta agrees to join the book tour to support her work. The tour includes appearances with Alan Caprison, the attractive cover model for her character Dash, showcasing their dramatic contrast as they embark on this promotional journey.

  3. Disastrous Tour Kickoff

    The book tour launches with a chaotic event where Alan's charismatic performance as Dash enthralls the audience, while Loretta's intellectual approach fails to resonate. In a humorous misstep, Loretta accidentally announces the death of Alan's character in her upcoming novel, exacerbating an already awkward situation.

  4. Kidnapping by Abigail Fairfax

    The narrative takes a drastic turn when Abigail Fairfax, a billionaire with ulterior motives, kidnaps Loretta believing she holds the key to a legendary treasure connected to her late husband’s archaeological work. Loretta initially resists, but after being chloroformed, she finds herself on a remote island under Fairfax's control.

    Where
    Remote Island
  5. Alan's Rescue Mission

    Witnessing Loretta's abduction, Alan Caprison is driven by his hidden feelings for her and teams up with Jack Trainer, a former Navy SEAL, to formulate a rescue plan. They cleverly track her location using Loretta's smartwatch, initiating their mission to save her from Fairfax's clutches.

  6. Challenges and Discontent

    Within Fairfax's camp, Loretta cleverly delays revealing the location of a crucial parchment, buying time for a potential rescue. Meanwhile, Fairfax's local associate, Rafi, grows increasingly frustrated with the excavation's unethical practices, hinting at possible internal conflicts.

  7. Jack's Infiltration and Escape

    Jack manages to infiltrate Fairfax's compound and successfully rescues Loretta. However, during the chaotic escape, Jack is shot, forcing Loretta and Alan to flee through the dense jungle, highlighting the harrowing stakes of their situation.

    Where
    Fairfax's Compound
  8. Crash in the Jungle

    While attempting to drive to safety, panic sets in and Alan loses control, leading to a car crash in the treacherous jungle. In the aftermath, Loretta seizes the opportunity to take the valuable parchment, which sets off a chain of events leading Fairfax to pursue them deeper into the wilderness.

    Where
    Jungle
  9. Beth's Determined Rescue Effort

    Back in the real world, Beth feels helpless and reaches out to the authorities, but her calls for help are overlooked. Taking matters into her own hands, she joins forces with an eccentric cargo pilot, Oscar, as they make their way to the island to aid in Loretta's rescue.

  10. Treasure Hunt and Recapture

    As Loretta and Alan navigate the jungle and decode clues related to the treasure, they discover that the fabled Crown of Fire lies within a cenote. However, their breakthrough leads to a new capture, forcing them to reveal the treasure's location to Fairfax.

    Where
    Cenote
  11. The Tomb's Emotional Revelation

    Upon reaching the ancient site, Loretta and Alan realize the tomb symbolizes the queen's grief for her lost love, adding a poignant layer to their quest for treasure. This emotional depth disrupts Fairfax's plans and shifts the dynamics of their encounter.

    Where
    Ancient Tomb
  12. Epic Escape Amidst Chaos

    As the volcano erupts, Rafi experiences a change of heart and secretly helps Loretta and Alan escape by leaving behind a crowbar. This act of kindness allows them to flee just as Fairfax becomes trapped, turning the tide of their perilous struggle.

    Where
    Jungle
  13. Fairfax Apprehended

    With the arrival of Beth and local coast guard, fairy tale justice unfolds as Fairfax is apprehended for his crimes. This moment of resolution brings relief to Loretta and Alan, completing their arduous journey together.

    Where
    Remote Island
  14. Success and New Beginnings

    In the aftermath of their adventure, Loretta finds immense success with her next book, narrating her and Alan's thrilling escapade. Their bond solidifies not only through shared struggles but also with a romantic kiss that marks a promising new chapter in their lives.

  15. Surprise Reunion

    In a delightful mid-credits scene, Jack, who miraculously survived his injuries, surprises both Loretta and Alan by joining them in a yoga class. The moment brings laughter and sets the tone for the light-hearted camaraderie that continues beyond their harrowing experiences.

Last updated: November 04, 2024 at 04:49

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Timeline questions answered

The Lost City Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Lost City (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Abigail Fairfax kidnap Loretta?

Abigail Fairfax kidnapped Loretta because he believed she knew the location of the Crown of Fire, a legendary treasure connected to her late husband's archaeological work. Loretta's husband had been pursuing the treasure before his death, and Fairfax assumed she had inherited his research or translated his findings.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, it is mentioned that Loretta's late husband was an archaeologist who worked on finding the Crown of Fire.

  • abigail fairfax
  • kidnapping
  • crown of fire
  • treasure
  • loretta husband
Q2

How did Jack find Loretta after she was kidnapped?

Jack Trainer tracked Loretta using her smartwatch. After Alan enlisted Jack's help, Jack cleverly used Loretta's phone to locate her smartwatch's GPS signal, which led them to her location in the Atlantic Ocean on Fairfax's remote island.

  • jack trainer
  • smartphone
  • tracking
  • rescue mission
  • gps
Q3

Why did Loretta delay translating the parchment?

Loretta deliberately stalled because she didn't want to help Fairfax find the treasure. While being held captive, she used the time to delay revealing the tomb's location, hoping that Jack and Alan would arrive to rescue her before she was forced to cooperate.

  • parchment
  • translation
  • delaying fairfax
  • captivity
Q4

Why did Alan crash the car in the jungle?

Alan panicked while driving through the dangerous jungle terrain. Though he had been determined to prove himself as more than just a cover model, the intense pressure and fear during the high-speed chase caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

  • alan caprison
  • car crash
  • jungle
  • panic
Q5

What was the Crown of Fire actually treasure?

The Crown of Fire turned out to be a symbolic treasure rather than riches. The tomb contained the love story between an ancient king and queen, the queen's grief over her lost love was the real 'treasure.' The crown represented their emotional connection, not monetary wealth.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at this emotional significance when Loretta and Alan discover the tomb resonates with deeper meaning.

  • crown of fire
  • tomb
  • love story
  • queen
  • emotional treasure
Q6

Why did Rafi help Loretta and Alan escape?

Rafi was Fairfax's local associate who grew increasingly discontent with the excavation practices, fearing cultural disrespect toward his people. When the volcano erupted and the chaos ensued, Rafi experienced a change of heart and secretly left a crowbar to help Loretta and Alan escape.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Rafi expresses frustration with the unethical excavation and cultural disrespect.

  • rafi
  • crowbar
  • escape
  • volcano
  • cultural disrespect
Q7

How did Jack survive being shot?

Jack survived his gunshot wound, though it appeared dire during the chaotic escape from Fairfax's compound. The film doesn't fully explain the medical details, but in a mid-credits scene, Jack miraculously appears alive and well, joining Loretta and Alan for a yoga class.

  • jack trainer
  • gunshot
  • survival
  • mid-credits
Q8

Why did Loretta agree to join the book tour?

Loretta agreed to join the book tour despite her reclusiveness because her publisher, Beth Hatten, insisted on it for promotional purposes. Though she had been avoiding the public eye since her husband's death, Loretta reluctantly agreed to support her latest book's release.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes that Loretta has been grieving her husband and prefers to stay out of the spotlight.

  • book tour
  • beth hatten
  • reclusiveness
  • husband death
Q9

Why was Alan so determined to rescue Loretta?

Alan secretly harbored romantic feelings for Loretta, which is why he was so determined to rescue her after witnessing her kidnapping. He wanted to prove he was more than just a handsome cover model and was capable of real heroism.

Foreshadowing: Alan's feelings are hinted at throughout the book tour scenes, where he gravitates toward Loretta.

  • alan caprison
  • rescue
  • romantic feelings
  • heroism
Q10

Why did Fairfax believe Loretta knew the treasure location?

Fairfax believed Loretta held the key to the Crown of Fire because her late husband had been an archaeologist working to find it. Fairfax assumed she had either inherited his research, translations, or knowledge about the treasure's location.

  • fairfax
  • archaeologist
  • late husband
  • research
  • treasure location
Q11

Why did Beth help rescue Loretta?

Beth Hatten, Loretta's publisher, was determined to rescue her friend after the authorities ignored her pleas for help. Determined not to give up, she hitched a ride with Oscar, an eccentric cargo pilot who was smitten with her, and flew to the island to assist in the rescue.

  • beth hatten
  • oscar
  • pilot
  • rescue
  • authorities
Q12

Why was the cenote important to finding the treasure?

Loretta deduced that the Crown of Fire was hidden within a cenote, a natural sinkhole common in the region. Using clues from a folktale and the parchment, she followed the traditional storytelling path that led to the cenote as the entrance to the ancient tomb.

  • cenote
  • treasure hunt
  • folktale
  • ancient tomb
  • clues

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Lost City, by Mood & Story

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

Action-Packed Rom-Com Adventures like The Lost City

Thrilling quests where opposites attract and sparks fly amidst the chaos. If you enjoyed the blend of romance and adventure in The Lost City, this list features movies with similar vibes. Discover other exciting stories where couples find love and danger on thrilling quests, perfect for fans of lighthearted, fast-paced fun.

  • romantic
  • adventurous
  • humorous
  • exciting
  • lighthearted
  • banter-filled
  • Tone: light, humorous, romantic
  • Pacing: fast, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often pair two contrasting personalities—often one reluctant and one overly enthusiastic—on an unpredictable journey. The external plot of a treasure hunt or rescue mission parallels their internal journey of overcoming differences and discovering a deeper connection, all while navigating physical dangers and comedic obstacles.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their successful fusion of genuine romantic tension with exciting, fast-paced adventure. They share a light tone, a focus on character-driven humor, and a structure where the action serves the relationship arc, resulting in a consistently fun and uplifting experience.

Comedic Treasure Hunt Quests like The Lost City

Hilarious races for ancient riches, full of quirky characters and silly traps. Fans of The Lost City's treasure hunt plot will love these movies. This collection highlights hilarious adventures and jungle expeditions where the search for fortune is packed with comedy, lighthearted danger, and quirky heroes.

  • adventurous
  • humorous
  • quirky
  • exciting
  • unlikely heroes
  • jungle expedition
  • Tone: lighthearted, quirky, exciting
  • Pacing: fast, sequential
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot follows a clear, straightforward quest for a fabled artifact or treasure, driven by a charismatic or dubious benefactor. The focus is on the comedic set-pieces—elaborate traps, incompetent henchmen, and the protagonists' improvisational skills—rather than deep suspense or horror, leading to a satisfying discovery.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their use of a classic adventure framework as a vehicle for comedy. They prioritize humor over grit, feature charmingly flawed heroes rising to the occasion, and maintain a breezy, optimistic tone throughout the perilous journey.

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Movies Like The Lost City

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Every angle

The Lost City (2022) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Lost City in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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