The Wolf’s Call (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The Timour III is a Russian ballistic missile submarine that was supposedly decommissioned, but was secretly purchased by the terrorist organization Al-Jadida. When it launched from the Bering Sea, France detected what appeared to be a Russian nuclear attack, triggering their nuclear counterstrike protocol. The entire crisis hinges on this submarine being reactivated as part of a false flag operation.

Foreshadowing: Early in the film, Chanteraide notices the submarine transmitting its position to Iranian forces, hinting at a deliberate provocation.

• timour iii
• russian submarine
• ballistic missile
• nuclear threat
• al-jadida

When the Timour III launches an R-30 ballistic missile from the Bering Sea, France interprets this as a Russian nuclear attack. The French President authorizes Formidable to launch a nuclear missile against Russian targets, not knowing the launch was staged by terrorists to provoke a nuclear exchange between the two superpowers.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish the geopolitical tension with Russia's invasion of the Åland Islands and France's nuclear threat, setting the stage for this misunderstanding.

• nuclear strike
• france nuclear
• formiddable submarine
• r-30 missile
• nuclear exchange

Al-Jadida illegally purchased the decommissioned Russian Timour III submarine and launched an empty warhead (a dummy missile with no nuclear payload) toward France. Their plan was to make France believe Russia had launched a nuclear attack, provoking a French nuclear counterstrike that would trigger World War III. The U.S. Secretary of State reveals this deception just as the counterstrike is about to launch.

Foreshadowing: The initial submarine contact mysteriously transmits its position to Iranian forces, suggesting the crew wanted to be detected.

• al-jadida
• terrorist
• false flag
• nuclear war
• deception
• dummy warhead

Grandchamp fires a torpedo at D'Orsi because D'Orsi tries to reach Formidable underwater to stop Grandchamp from launching the nuclear missile. Grandchamp believes the counterstrike is necessary to honor his orders and prevent France from appearing weak. When D'Orsi attempts to interfere, Grandchamp sees him as a threat to the mission and fires, killing his former executive officer.

Foreshadowing: Earlier tension between Grandchamp and D'Orsi foreshadows their eventual confrontation, especially after D'Orsi takes command of Titan.

• grandchamp
• d'orsi
• torpedo
• captain
• mutiny
• kill

In the final moments, Grandchamp chooses to remove the nuclear targeting board, preventing the missile from launching. This act of defiance stops the nuclear strike and averts World War III. Rather than follow orders blindly, Grandchamp exercises individual judgment, sacrificing his career and life to prevent an unjust nuclear attack based on terrorist manipulation.

Foreshadowing: Grandchamp's earlier drug test failure and his discussions about trust with Chanteraide hint at his growing moral conflict.

• targeting board
• grandchamp
• nuclear launch
• sacrifice
• stop launch
• defy orders

Chanteraide survives the sinking of the Titan, but his ears are permanently damaged from the explosion and carbon monoxide exposure, leaving him deaf. He is rescued by a helicopter and later reunites with his girlfriend Diane. The film ends with him beginning a new life as a deaf person, his world forever changed by the traumatic event.

Foreshadowing: Chanteraide's exceptional hearing has been central to his identity throughout the film, making his eventual deafness a poignant irony.

• chanteraide
• socks
• hearing
• deaf
• survive
• injuries
• rescue

The Titan sinks after Formidable's torpedo strikes its hull. The crew attempts to evacuate through emergency exits while the ship fills with water and carbon monoxide. Grandchamp releases ballast to avoid a direct hit to Formidable's bridge, and several crew members, including the ALFOST, die during the evacuation. Chanteraide and a few others escape.

Foreshadowing: The earlier torpedo exchange between Titan and Formidable builds to this catastrophic confrontation.

• titan submarine
• sink
• capsized
• torpedo
• crew
• evacuate

Grandchamp is promoted to command the Formidable (Effroyable), France's main strategic nuclear submarine, precisely because of his decisive action in Syria. Despite his unauthorized use of a Panzerfaust 3 to shoot down the helicopter, the French Navy recognizes his bold command decisions under pressure. This promotion places him at the center of the nuclear crisis.

Foreshadowing: The promotion sets up the tragic irony that Grandchamp's career advancement leads to the film's climactic nuclear confrontation.

• grandchamp
• promotion
• formiddable
• panzerfaust
• helicopter
• command

The initial contact was the Timour III ballistic missile submarine. Chanteraide initially misidentifies it as a wounded whale because the submarine's acoustic signature matches marine life. However, he soon realizes the contact is actually transmitting its position to Iranian frigates and a helicopter, revealing it as an intentional threat rather than an accidental encounter.

Foreshadowing: Chanteraide's exceptional hearing ability is introduced precisely through this misidentification, establishing his importance to the crew.

• sonar
• contact
• whale
• timour iii
• underwater
• detection

Chanteraide breaches security to investigate the mysterious submarine contact from the Syrian mission. Using his superior's computer and naval archives, he discovers the contact was actually the supposedly decommissioned Russian Timour III. This unauthorized investigation puts him at odds with command but uncovers the critical intelligence about the reactivated submarine.

Foreshadowing: His investigation parallels his growing relationship with Diane at the bookstore, both driven by curiosity and connection.

• chanteraide
• hacking
• computer
• archives
• investigation
• security breach

Grandchamp fails a drug test during the roll call before the critical mission. This detail reveals his human frailties despite his command authority. The failed test becomes moot as the nuclear crisis escalates, but it humanizes Grandchamp and creates tension about whether he will even board Formidable to execute the nuclear strike.

Foreshadowing: The drug test failure foreshadows Grandchamp's ultimate moral breakdown and his choice to defy orders.

• drug test
• grandchamp
• failed
• roll call
• disqualification

Diane, Chanteraide's girlfriend whom he met at a bookstore, appears at the memorial service for the fallen sailors. She then reunites with Chanteraide as he begins his new life as a deaf person. Their reunion symbolizes personal healing and continuity despite the traumatic events, showing that love endures even after profound loss.

Foreshadowing: Their relationship develops throughout the film as Chanteraide navigates his dual life as a sonar expert and a private individual.

• diane
• chanteraide
• girlfriend
• reunion
• memorial
• deaf
• ending