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Timeline

The Secret in Their Eyes (2010) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2010 · 127 min · Spanish
JustWatch #3,897 37
Directed by
Juan José Campanella
Starring
Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago

Years after the unresolved murder of a young woman, a retired legal investigator is drawn back into the case, reopening old wounds and confronting painful memories. He finds himself reconnecting with Irene, a beautiful and intelligent judge with whom he shares a complicated history. As he delves deeper into the investigation, Benjamin’s pursuit of justice becomes intertwined with his personal feelings, threatening to expose long-buried secrets and challenging the foundations of the legal system.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Secret in Their Eyes (2010)

Where can you watch The Secret in Their Eyes? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hulu, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Secret in Their Eyes Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Secret in Their Eyes (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. Beginning of the Investigation

    In June 1974, judiciary agent Benjamín Espósito is drawn into an intense investigation regarding the brutal rape and murder of Liliana Colotto de Morales. Upon receiving the case, he makes a heartfelt commitment to her husband, Ricardo, promising to find and punish the killer.

    When
    June 1974
  2. Team Formation

    Espósito teams up with his troubled, alcoholic partner, Pablo Sandoval, and the newly appointed chief, Irene Menéndez-Hastings. Together, they begin to piece together the harrowing details surrounding Liliana's murder and the events leading to it.

  3. Wrongful Accusation

    Espósito's investigation takes a dark turn when his rival, Romano, wrongfully accuses two construction workers of the crime. The shocking reality is that both men are tortured into falsely confessing, igniting Espósito's determination to seek true justice.

  4. Discovery of a Lead

    While examining photographs of Liliana provided by Ricardo, Espósito identifies a man named Isidoro Gómez who appears to be fixated on her. This critical lead drives Espósito and Sandoval to pursue Gómez with renewed vigor.

  5. Covert Operation

    Espósito and Sandoval covertly travel to Chivilcoy to investigate Gómez's mother’s house. During their search, they uncover letters from Gómez, which they hope will provide more context to his obsession, but the raid ultimately yields no substantial evidence.

    Where
    Chivilcoy
  6. Failed Communication

    After returning to Buenos Aires, a disastrous slip occurs when Ricardo mistakenly contacts Gómez's mother in an effort to find his wife’s killer. This mistake leads to a stall in the investigation, culminating in the case being closed.

  7. Reopening the Case

    In 1975, Espósito encounters Ricardo at a train station and learns of his relentless search for Gómez. Inspired by this meeting, Espósito persuades Irene to reopen the investigation into Liliana's murder, reigniting his search for justice.

    When
    1975
    Where
    Retiro Station
  8. Key Discovery at Racing Match

    As the investigation progresses, Sandoval uncovers an important connection between names from the letters and players from Racing Football Club. Espósito and Sandoval attend a match between Racing and Huracán, hoping to spot Gómez in the crowd.

    Where
    Racing Football Club
  9. Gómez's Capture

    Excitement turns into chaos when Espósito and Sandoval finally locate Gómez at the match, but a sudden goal disrupts their capture efforts, allowing him to escape. They engage in a frantic chase, ultimately leading to Gómez being apprehended by stadium security.

    Where
    Stadium
  10. Interrogation and Conviction

    In a tense interrogation, Espósito and Irene resort to illegal tactics to elicit a confession from Gómez. Although he is convicted for Liliana's murder, the victory is short-lived as Romano plots his revenge against Espósito.

  11. Tragic Loss

    Tragedy strikes when Sandoval is found murdered in his home, an apparent victim of Gómez and Romano's reach. Espósito suspects that Sandoval was killed while trying to protect him, leaving him devastated by the loss of his friend.

  12. A Decade in Hiding

    Fearing for his safety, Espósito vanishes into hiding for ten years in Jujuy Province. He finds a semblance of peace among relatives of Irene, but the shadows of his past and the unfinished case loom over him.

    When
    1975-1985
    Where
    Jujuy Province
  13. Return to Buenos Aires

    In 1985, Espósito returns to Buenos Aires, only to learn that both Gómez and Irene have moved on. The city is unfamiliar, yet he is determined to confront the ghost of his past and find closure.

    When
    1985
    Where
    Buenos Aires
  14. Confrontation with Ricardo

    In 1999, Espósito seeks out Ricardo, who has secluded himself in a rural cottage. During their confrontation, Ricardo reveals that he has not only grieved but has exacted his own violent revenge on Gómez, keeping him imprisoned for years.

    When
    1999
    Where
    Buenos Aires Province
  15. Final Reflections

    Espósito visits Sandoval's grave to pay his respects before finally confronting his feelings for Irene. In a poignant moment filled with unspoken emotions, he is welcomed by her smile, as she encourages him to close the door on his past.

    Where
    Graveyard, Buenos Aires

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:33

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Timeline questions answered

The Secret in Their Eyes Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why did Romano bail out Gómez after his conviction?

Romano bailed out Gómez to use him as an assassin for a faction of the Peronist Party. This was his revenge against Espósito, whom he despised. By releasing the convicted murderer, Romano transformed Gómez into a weapon to target Espósito and further his own political machinations.

  • romano
  • gomez
  • bail
  • revenge
  • perón
Q2

How did Sandoval die and why was Espósito blamed?

Sandoval was murdered in his home by hitmen sent by Gómez and Romano. He was killed because he had been impersonating Espósito to protect his friend, Gómez and Romano's assassins came for Espósito but found Sandoval instead. The scene showed his door ajar and photographs scattered, indicating a violent intrusion.

  • sandoval
  • death
  • murder
  • espósito
  • hitmen
Q3

Why did Ricardo keep Gómez imprisoned for 25 years?

Ricardo kidnapped and imprisoned Gómez because he was consumed by the need for vengeance after the justice system failed to punish his wife's murderer. When Gómez was bailed out and escaped justice, Ricardo took matters into his own hands, keeping Gómez locked away as his own form of a "life sentence", a perversion of the justice Espósito had promised him.

  • ricardo
  • gomez
  • imprisonment
  • vengeance
  • 25 years
Q4

Why did Espósito hide in Jujuy Province for a decade?

Espósito went into hiding for ten years because he feared for his life after Sandoval's murder. Since the hitmen were sent by Gómez and Romano to kill him, Espósito had no choice but to disappear. He stayed with Irene's relatives in Jujuy Province until the danger subsided.

  • esposito
  • hiding
  • jujuy
  • safety
  • sandoval death
Q5

Why did the case get closed after Ricardo contacted Gómez's mother?

The case was closed because Ricardo's desperate attempt to find his wife's killer backfired. When he contacted Gómez's mother in Chivilcoy, it alerted Gómez to the investigation and made him go into hiding. The police lost their lead and the case was officially closed without resolution.

  • case closed
  • ricardo
  • gomez mother
  • investigation failed
Q6

How did the investigation lead to Racing Football Club?

Sandoval discovered a connection between names listed in the letters found at Gómez's mother's house and players from Racing Football Club. This clue led Espósito and Sandoval to attend a match between Racing and Huracán, where they finally spotted Gómez in the crowd.

  • racing
  • football
  • letters
  • gomez
  • chivilcoy
Q7

Why did Sandoval impersonate Espósito?

Sandoval impersonated Espósito to protect his partner from harm. When Gómez and Romano sent hitmen after Espósito, Sandoval tried to throw them off the scent by pretending to be him. This act of loyalty ultimately led to Sandoval being killed in Espósito's place.

  • sandoval
  • impersonate
  • espósito
  • loyalty
  • sacrifice
Q8

What happened to Irene between 1974 and 1999?

Irene became a judge and married someone else, having children. When Espósito returned to Buenos Aires in 1985, he learned she had moved on with her life. Despite their obvious mutual feelings throughout the investigation, they were separated by time, danger, and circumstance until 1999.

  • irene
  • marriage
  • judge
  • espósito
  • feelings
Q9

Why did Romano wrongfully accuse the two construction workers?

Romano accused two construction workers, including a Bolivian immigrant, to close the case quickly and probably for political or personal gain, independent of finding the real killer. Espósito was furious when he discovered the men had been tortured into confessing, which drove him to pursue the actual truth.

  • romano
  • construction workers
  • torture
  • wrongful accusation
Q10

What did Ricardo mean when he reminded Espósito of his promise?

When Ricardo said "life sentence," he was reminding Espósito of his original promise to ensure the killer received a life sentence. Since the legal system failed, Ricardo took justice into his own hands, he kept Gómez imprisoned for 25 years, effectively delivering the life sentence Espósito could not secure.

  • ricardo
  • promise
  • life sentence
  • espósito
  • justice
Q11

Why did Gómez almost escape during the stadium chase?

Gómez almost escaped because a sudden goal during the Racing match created chaos in the stadium. The distraction allowed Gómez to break free and attempt to storm the pitch. However, stadium security eventually apprehended him before he could fully escape.

  • gomez
  • stadium
  • chase
  • racing
  • escape
Q12

Why did Espósito visit Irene at the end of the movie?

Espósito visited Irene at the end to finally express his long-held romantic feelings for her. Throughout the investigation in 1974, their mutual attraction was evident but never acted upon due to the circumstances. In 1999, after resolving the case, he was ready to close the door on his past and pursue a future with Irene.

  • esposito
  • irene
  • feelings
  • romance
  • closure

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Secret in Their Eyes, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with obsessive investigations like The Secret in Their Eyes

Stories where a single case or mystery consumes a character's entire life. If you liked The Secret in Their Eyes, explore more movies about unresolved crimes and personal vendettas that span decades. These similar thrillers and dramas feature protagonists consumed by a single case, leading to complex narratives about justice, memory, and the passage of time.

  • obsessive
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • reflective
  • haunting
  • unrelenting
  • Tone: melancholic, tense, reflective
  • Pacing: variable, with slow reflective moments and tense investigative sequences
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a central, unresolved event—often a crime or disappearance—that haunts a character over many years. The story is typically non-linear, weaving together past and present to reveal how the obsession has corroded and defined the protagonist's life. The climax often forces a confrontation with the past that is cathartic but rarely offers simple answers.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here because they share a core theme of relentless, long-term pursuit. They blend the tension of a mystery with the沉重 emotional weight of a character study, resulting in a viewing experience that is both intellectually engaging and deeply melancholic.

Bittersweet love stories like The Secret in Their Eyes

Emotional journeys where romance is intertwined with profound grief and memory. Find movies similar to The Secret in Their Eyes that blend romance with profound melancholy. These dramas and thrillers feature love stories defined by longing, missed chances, and the heavy weight of the past, resulting in a powerfully bittersweet emotional experience.

  • bittersweet
  • nostalgic
  • sorrowful
  • melancholic
  • reflective
  • haunting
  • Tone: melancholic, bittersweet, nostalgic
  • Pacing: slow to steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative revolves around a relationship that is fractured by time, circumstance, or trauma. The story often uses flashbacks or parallel timelines to contrast the purity of past love with the complicated reality of the present. The character's journey is one of reconciling with their past choices and the lingering emotional attachments, leading to an ending that acknowledges love's power but also its inherent pain and impermanence.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their specific emotional texture: a deep, sorrowful romanticism. They are not purely sad tales, but complex explorations of how love persists alongside grief and regret, creating a uniquely bittersweet and reflective mood that resonates long after the film ends.

Every angle

The Secret in Their Eyes (2010) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Secret in Their Eyes 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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