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The Wannabes (2022) movie poster

Timeline

The Wannabes (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 102 mins · French
Directed by
Jonathan Barré
Starring
David Marsais, Grégoire Ludig, Alexandra Gentil, David Salles, Marion Creusvaux, Sam Karmann
Budget
$8.9M

Daniel and Stéphane are rival salesmen stuck working together, and burdened by debt. They reluctantly decide to join forces and compete on television game shows, hoping to win enough money to clear their financial problems and escape their circumstances.

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

12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Wannabes Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Wannabes (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. Danny is hired to train The Wannabes

    Danny, a talentless yet undeniably awkward entertainer, is hired by Marcus and his crew to shape them into a polished kids act. He starts training the group to perform as The Wannabes, aiming to become the country’s hottest children’s entertainers. Despite his clumsy approach, his guidance pushes them toward a professional persona.

  2. The heist plan as cover for fame

    While rehearsing, the Wannabes secretly decide to use their new identity as cover to pull off a diamond necklace heist. Two members manage to steal the necklace during Aurora Van Dyke grandchild party. The plan tests their loyalty as they balance entertainment dreams with crime ambitions.

    When
    During the party
    Where
    Aurora Van Dyke party
  3. The burglary goes wrong and they flee

    The burglary does not go as planned, triggering alarms and a hasty escape. They ditch the necklace and slip away from the scene without getting caught, leaving the crime behind them. The successful avoidance of capture seeds the film's pivot toward fame over criminal activity.

    When
    During the burglary
    Where
    Aurora Van Dyke party
  4. Unexpected rise to top of the kids market

    They unexpectedly become the hottest kids band in the country, drawing crowds wherever they perform. Merchandise and posters flood the market as their image revitalizes the kids entertainment scene. Their surprising ascent proves that mischief can fuel a different kind of stardom.

  5. Album release fuels the craze

    They release an album that channels their newfound fame and kid friendly appeal. The record's popularity helps them reach family audiences nationwide. Their music becomes a symbol of their unlikely transformation from would be criminals to celebrated performers.

  6. Rove Live television appearance

    They perform on the Australian show Rove Live, giving a national audience their lively kid focused act. The televised appearance cements their status and expands their reach beyond live audiences. The performance marks a turning point from local buzz to mainstream recognition.

    When
    Televised appearance
    Where
    Rove Live studio
  7. Aurora discovers the Wannabes were behind the theft

    Aurora Van Dyke discovers that The Wannabes were behind the necklace theft. The revelation shifts the mood from entertainment success to suspicion and potential conflict. She now sees them in a different light, as criminals rather than innocent entertainers.

    Where
    Aurora Van Dyke
  8. Abduction and rescue escapades unfold

    Following the confrontation, the Wannabes endure abduction and subsequent rescue in a sequence of tense escapades. The incidents test their courage, loyalty, and willingness to risk themselves for each other. These moments contribute to their awakening about the consequences of their actions.

  9. Realization: crime does not pay, kids bands do

    They realize that crime does not pay, but kids bands do, choosing to abandon illegal schemes. They commit to performing with integrity and to building a legitimate career. The shift signals a moral turning point in the group's journey.

  10. Commitment to performing and growing the band

    They double down on their commitment, refining their act and expanding their brand around family friendly music. They focus on making positive entertainment that resonates with children and parents alike. The future looks bright as they continue to ride the wave of their unique success.

  11. Rise to national attention and broader audience

    With their image stabilized, The Wannabes reach broader audiences and secure more high profile gigs. The band's popularity continues to grow, solidifying their status as a leading kids act. The story emphasizes the power of entertainment to transform unlikely individuals into stars.

  12. Integrity over crime and a lasting career

    By embracing their identity and leaving crime behind, the group navigates the complexities of fame and responsibility. They learn to balance ambition with ethics, setting the stage for a lasting career.

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:23

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Timeline questions answered

The Wannabes Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why did The Wannabes plan a heist during Aurora Van Dyke's party?

Marcus and his crew originally hired Danny to transform them into a legitimate kids' entertainment act, but they secretly decided to use their new polished image as cover to pull off a diamond necklace heist. Two members of the group stole the necklace during Aurora Van Dyke's grandchild party while performing as the entertainment, believing their kid-friendly act would provide the perfect disguise for the robbery.

  • aurora van dyke
  • diamond necklace
  • heist
  • the wannabes
  • robbery
Q2

What went wrong with the diamond necklace robbery?

The burglary did not go as planned. While two members managed to steal the necklace during the party, the operation triggered alarms and became chaotic. They were forced to ditch the necklace and flee the scene without it, though they escaped capture. The failed heist inadvertently launched their rise to fame when the incident got attention and their act unexpectedly went viral.

  • failed heist
  • diamond necklace
  • aurora van dyke
  • the wannabes
  • escape
Q3

How did The Wannabes become famous after the failed heist?

The failed robbery incident unexpectedly catapulted them into the spotlight. Their once-unpolished act became a nationwide craze, with merchandise, posters, and a debut album flooding the market. They landed a memorable performance on Rove Live, which cemented their status as the hottest kids' band in the country. The notoriety from the heist, combined with their family-friendly performances, transformed them from would-be criminals to celebrated entertainers.

  • rove live
  • fame
  • kids band
  • the wannabes
  • success
  • album
Q4

Who is Aurora Van Dyke and what is her role in the story?

Aurora Van Dyke is a wealthy socialite who hosts a grand party for her grandchild. She hires The Wannabes to perform as child entertainers at this event. After discovering that the group used their performance as cover to steal her diamond necklace, she becomes the antagonist who pursues them and eventually confronts them about the theft, leading to the film's conflict and resolution.

  • aurora van dyke
  • wealthy
  • necklace
  • party
  • confrontation
Q5

What happened after Aurora discovered The Wannabes stole her necklace?

Once Aurora Van Dyke realized The Wannabes were behind the necklace theft, she closed in on the group, shifting the story from entertainment success to conflict. The band faced abduction and rescue sequences that tested their loyalties and courage. These dangerous encounters, combined with Aurora's pursuit, forced the group to confront the consequences of their criminal actions.

  • aurora van dyke
  • theft
  • abduction
  • consequences
  • conflict
Q6

Why did The Wannabes quit crime and focus on music?

The group realized that crime does not pay, but kids' entertainment does. After experiencing the dangers of the heist, the confrontation with Aurora, and the abduction sequences, they understood that their illegal scheme could destroy everything they had built. They chose to abandon their criminal ways and commit to performing with integrity, focusing on building a legitimate career as family-friendly entertainers.

  • crime
  • music
  • integrity
  • redemption
  • kids entertainment
  • the wannabes
Q7

Does The Wannabes face consequences for the heist in the end?

The Wannabes does face consequences for their actions. The film shows them enduring abduction and dangerous situations as fallout from the theft. However, the ending is ultimately happy, they learn their lesson about integrity while still achieving success through legitimate music. The movie reinforces that crime doesn't pay, but the power of entertainment and redemption can lead to a brighter future.

  • ending
  • consequences
  • redemption
  • success
  • the wannabes
  • crime

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Wannabes, by Mood & Story

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

Underdog Comedies with High-Stakes Gambits like The Wannabes

Characters bet everything on a wild scheme, leading to hilarious chaos and unexpected rewards. Looking for more movies like The Wannabes? This thread features comedies where lovable underdogs hatch a desperate, high-stakes plan to turn their lives around. Expect fast-paced humor, chaotic schemes, and ultimately happy endings.

  • desperate schemes
  • comedic chaos
  • unlikely allies
  • against the odds
  • frantic pacing
  • silly capers
  • Tone: light, comedic, mischievous
  • Pacing: fast, frantic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically feature protagonists at a low point who decide to 'go big or go home' with a single, audacious plan. The narrative follows the domino effect of their actions, highlighting comedic failures, close calls, and the bond forged between reluctant partners, culminating in an uplifting resolution where they succeed against the odds.

Why they belong together: These films share a core structure of a high-risk, high-reward plot driven by comedic desperation. They are united by their light tone, fast pacing, and focus on the humorous journey from rock bottom to unexpected success through sheer, chaotic determination.

Movies about Accidental Fame and Reluctant Stars like The Wannabes

Ordinary people stumble into the spotlight and must navigate the absurdities of sudden fame. If you liked The Wannabes and its story of accidental fame, you'll enjoy these comedies. They feature ordinary people who become unlikely celebrities, leading to hilarious situations and a heartwarming reevaluation of what truly matters.

  • accidental fame
  • identity crisis
  • fish out of water
  • public spectacle
  • comedic deception
  • uplifting
  • Tone: light, whimsical, uplifting
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character or group being thrust into the public eye through a comedic accident or misunderstanding. The story explores the surreal experience of fame, the pressure to maintain a facade, and the characters' eventual realization that authenticity is more valuable than celebrity, often resulting in a happy ending where they find a better path.

Why they belong together: These movies are linked by the central theme of accidental celebrity and the comedic exploration of imposter syndrome. They share a lighthearted tone, focus on identity and deception, and deliver an uplifting message about finding success on one's own terms.

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Movies Like The Wannabes

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Every angle

The Wannabes (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Wannabes 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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