The Square (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Christian refuses to hand over the condom because he doesn't trust Anne to dispose of it properly. He fears she might keep it and use it to impregnate herself or potentially blackmail him later. This incident reveals Christian's deep-seated paranoia and inability to trust others, even someone he just slept with. The argument exposes the underlying power dynamic and lack of genuine intimacy in their relationship.

• christian
• anne
• condom
• trust
• paranoia

After tracking his stolen phone to a large apartment block, Christian and his assistant Michael write a threatening anonymous letter demanding the phone and wallet be returned via a nearby 7-Eleven. Christian then distributes copies of this letter through every mailbox in the building. This disproportionate response reflects his sense of entitlement and belief that he can intimidate the entire community into compliance. The escalation demonstrates how his professional power translates into reckless personal actions.

• christian
• letter
• apartment
• phone
• wallet
• intimidation

The Arab boy confronts Christian at his home while his two young daughters are present, demanding an apology for the accusatory letter that labeled his family as thieves. When the boy begins knocking on doors and screaming for help, Christian snaps and pushes him down the stairs in a moment of frustrated rage. This violent overreaction stems from his desperate attempt to protect his reputation and his daughters from public embarrassment, but it only deepens his moral failure.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Christian's disproportionate letter campaign against the entire building hints at his willingness to use aggressive tactics when feeling threatened.

• christian
• boy
• stairs
• violence
• confrontation
• apology

Christian approves the viral video showing an impoverished girl being killed in an explosion within The Square without actually viewing it. He gives permission while distracted by his personal crises involving the boy and his failing relationship with Anne. This carelessness reflects his impaired judgment and emotional state, but it also exposes his detachment from the ethical implications of his role as curator. The approval without scrutiny becomes the catalyst for his professional downfall.

• christian
• video
• approval
• promotion
• square
• viral
• controversy

The Square is an art installation by Lola Arias displayed at the X-Royal museum. The artist's statement describes it as 'a sanctuary of trust and caring' where 'we all share equal rights and obligations.' The exhibition is meant to represent idealistic principles of community and mutual responsibility. However, the film critiques how these noble ideals become hollow when the curator himself engages in manipulative, violent, and unethical behavior, creating a stark contrast between the art's message and Christian's actions.

• square
• exhibition
• art
• lola arias
• museum
• trust

The young Arab boy confronts Michael at the 7-Eleven, explaining that his parents believe he is a thief because of the accusatory letter Christian sent to every apartment. The boy demands that Christian apologize to him and his family personally. When Michael cannot guarantee this, the boy threatens to create 'chaos' for Christian. This threat represents the boy's attempt to reclaim dignity and force accountability from someone who has wronged him, though his exact plans remain ambiguous.

• boy
• chaos
• threat
• apology
• letter
• family

Christian resigns as curator because he admits to violating protocol by approving the promotional video without proper review. The video depicting a girl being killed in The Square sparks massive backlash from media, religious leaders, and the public. At the press conference, he stepping down is presented as mutual agreement with the museum board. However, his resignation also attracts criticism from journalists who attack him both for creating tasteless controversy and for self-censorship, leaving him damned regardless of his choice.

• christian
• resignation
• video
• backlash
• press conference
• curator

After their night together and the condom dispute, Anne meets Christian at the museum and asks if she is looking for more than casual sex, questioning whether he feels the same way. When Christian is evasive and doesn't give a clear answer, Anne tries calling him later but he refuses to pick up. This confrontation reveals the power imbalance in their relationship and Christian's inability to commit or be honest about his feelings, ultimately driving Anne away.

• anne
• christian
• relationship
• museum
• confrontation
• phone call

Feeling guilty about pushing the boy down the stairs, Christian drives to the apartment block to find him and his family and make amends. However, when he speaks to a neighbor, he learns that the boy's family has already moved away. This leaves Christian with unresolved guilt and no opportunity for redemption, emphasizing the permanent consequences of his actions. The emptiness of his attempted apology underscores the film's theme of accountability versus escapability.

• boy
• family
• moved away
• apartment
• christian
• guilt

The advertising agency creates a promotional clip for The Square exhibition showing an impoverished girl entering the sacred space and being killed in an explosion. The video is designed to generate social media attention through shock value, contradicting the exhibition's message of trust and equal rights. It quickly goes viral, reaching 300,000 YouTube views, but receives extremely hostile reactions from media, religious leaders, and the general public who see it as exploitative and offensive.

• video
• controversy
• promotion
• square
• viral
• explosion
• criticism

Christian uses his computer to track the location of his stolen smartphone after the confidence trick theft in the pedestrian zone. He and assistant Michael trace it to a large apartment block, which becomes the catalyst for his escalating confrontation with the boy and his family. The tracking represents Christian's attempt to exert control and restore his sense of security after the violation of having his possessions stolen.

• phone
• tracking
• apartment
• stolen
• christian

After pushing the boy down the stairs in a moment of rage, Christian desperately searches through trash to find the note with the boy's phone number. When he finds it and attempts to call, the boy does not answer. Christian then records an apologetic video message instead. The boy's refusal to answer represents the breakdown of any possibility for reconciliation, showing that some transgressions cannot be easily undone through later attempts at accountability.

• christian
• boy
• call
• video
• apology
• reconciliation