Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) movie poster

Timeline

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1995 · 115 min · English
Directed by
Gary Fleder
Starring
Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken

Jimmy "The Saint" Tosnia attempts to leave his life of crime behind, but is pulled back into the criminal underworld for one last job. When a tragic error occurs, he finds himself hunted by the ruthless hitman Mr. Shhh. As Jimmy struggles to protect what remains of his life, he must confront the dangerous consequences of his past and navigate a deadly game of cat and mouse where loyalty is tested and the stakes are incredibly high.

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 Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)

Where can you watch Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

15 events in order · contains spoilers

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) 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. Jimmy's New Life

    After a tumultuous past as a notorious gangster, Jimmy 'The Saint' Tosnia attempts to forge a new path by running a business called Afterlife Advice in Denver. He helps terminally ill individuals craft heartfelt messages for their loved ones, signifying his desire for redemption.

    Where
    Denver
  2. Encounter with The Man With The Plan

    Jimmy's efforts to stay afloat in business attract the attention of his former boss, the ruthless crime lord known as The Man With The Plan. The mobster, now a quadriplegic due to an accident, exploits Jimmy's financial struggles, granting him no reprieve from his past.

  3. The Grim Request

    To leverage Jimmy's predicament, The Man With The Plan tasks him with reuniting Meg, the ex-girlfriend of his son Bernard, with the incarcerated man. This scheme is rooted in a belief that rekindling their romance will somehow ease the charges against Bernard.

  4. Assembling the Team

    Faced with an urgent deadline, Jimmy recruits a quirky team of former associates, including Easy Wind, Pieces, Big Bear Franchise, and Critical Bill. Together, they devise a ridiculous plan aimed at intimidating Meg's partner into breaking up with her.

  5. Plan Goes Awry

    Chaos ensues when their plot to scare Meg's partner, Bruce, backfires, leading to his growing suspicion. As tensions escalate, a violent confrontation inadvertently results in Meg's accidental death, igniting The Man With The Plan's wrath.

  6. Consequences of Failure

    In the aftermath of Meg's death, Jimmy faces dire repercussions—being banished from Denver for life as a form of dubious clemency. His former associates experience a darker fate, promised a brutal death at the hands of the merciless hitman, Mr. Shhh.

  7. Desperate Measures

    Seeking refuge from the fallout, Easy Wind turns to Baby Sinister, a powerful gang leader. However, their sanctuary is swiftly compromised as Mr. Shhh launches a fierce attack, wiping out Sinister's men and further complicating the situation.

  8. Franchise's Plea

    In a desperate bid to protect his family, Franchise implores The Man With The Plan for mercy. However, his pleas fall on deaf ears, resulting in betrayal and a brutal end for Franchise, underscoring the vicious cycle of violence in their world.

  9. The Hunt Intensifies

    As Mr. Shhh relentlessly pursuit Chief Bill, a violent confrontation unfolds, culminating in the deaths of both characters. This incident marks a significant turning point, further highlighting the imminent dangers surrounding Jimmy and his crew.

  10. A Trio of Killers

    With the contract on Jimmy's head now belonging to a trio of merciless Mexican brothers, the stakes rise drastically. Jimmy finds himself constantly looking over his shoulder, knowing death is not far behind him as the hunters close in.

  11. Final Goodbyes

    Faced with looming death, Jimmy shares a heartfelt farewell with Dagney, the young woman who has come to mean so much to him. This poignant moment of connection and love stands in stark contrast to the chaos surrounding his life.

  12. Helping Lucinda

    In a moment of unexpected redemption, Jimmy fulfills the wishes of Lucinda, a hopeful mother yearning for a child. He leaves behind a touching video message for her unborn offspring, showcasing his capacity for kindness amidst his troubles.

  13. Acceptance of Fate

    As the three killers converge upon him, Jimmy embraces a calm acceptance of his impending fate. With peace in his heart, he prepares to reunite with those he has lost before him, signifying a profound moment of closure.

  14. Eternal Reunion

    After meeting his end, Jimmy's spirit finds solace in the afterlife, gathering with lost friends. They raise 'boat drinks' together, celebrating eternal memories and a newfound joy that transcends their troubled pasts.

  15. The Man With The Plan's Grief

    Back on earth, The Man With The Plan mourns the loss of his son Bernard. This moment underscores the tragic realities of their violent lives and connects the emotional threads that run deep amid the chaos.

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 12:01

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does The Man With The Plan want Jimmy to reunite Meg with his son Bernard?

The Man With The Plan forces Jimmy to reunite Meg with his incarcerated son Bernard because he believes rekindling their romance will help reduce or dismiss the serious charges Bernard faces. Despite Bernard being a quadriplegic's son facing severe criminal accusations including child molestation, The Man With The Plan uses Jimmy's financial desperation to manipulate him into this task, exploiting his vulnerability.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, The Man With The Plan's mention of his son's legal troubles establishes his desperation to protect Bernard by any means necessary.

  • the man with the plan
  • bernard
  • meg
  • manipulation
  • criminal charges
Q2

What is the "buckwheats" punishment that Jimmy's friends face?

Buckwheats is the brutal execution method promised to Jimmy's friends after they fail the job. Unlike Jimmy who receives banishment, Easy Wind, Pieces, Big Bear Franchise, and Critical Bill are all sentenced to this violent death by Mr. Shhh, the relentless hitman hired to carry out their elimination.

Foreshadowing: The term is first introduced when The Man With The Plan delivers their harsh punishment, signaling the fatal consequences of their failure.

  • buckwheats
  • execution
  • mr. shhh
  • punishment
  • death
Q3

Why does Jimmy receive banishment instead of the death penalty like his friends?

Jimmy receives banishment from Denver for life rather than death because The Man With The Plan still views him as useful and maintains a personal connection to him from their past. Unlike his friends who are executed, Jimmy is given a second chance to leave and start over, though this clemency proves hollow as the violence ultimately catches up with him anyway.

Foreshadowing: The Man With The Plan's initial demand that Jimmy perform this specific task hints at a deeper relationship that influences his more lenient punishment.

  • banishment
  • clemency
  • the man with the plan
  • denver
  • exile
Q4

Who is Mr. Shhh and why is he so feared?

Mr. Shhh is the ruthless hitman hired by The Man With The Plan to eliminate Jimmy's crew as punishment for failing the job. He is depicted as a highly skilled, efficient assassin who methodically tracks down and murders each of Jimmy's former associates with brutal precision. His reputation for deadly effectiveness makes him one of the most dangerous characters in the film.

Foreshadowing: Mr. Shhh is introduced as the instrument of the group's punishment, and his ominous name suggests someone who operates silently and lethally.

  • mr. shhh
  • hitman
  • killer
  • the man with the plan
  • assassination
Q6

Why does the contract on Jimmy shift to the Mexican brothers?

The contract on Jimmy's head shifts to three Mexican brothers after Mr. Shhh dies during his confrontation with Critical Bill. The Man With The Plan hires these new assassins to finish what Mr. Shhh started, representing an escalation in the threat to Jimmy as the Mexican brothers are equally ruthless and determined to collect the bounty.

Foreshadowing: The moment Critical Bill and Mr. Shhh kill each other creates a power vacuum that necessitates bringing in additional killers to complete the contract.

  • mexican brothers
  • contract
  • hitman
  • bounty
  • escalation
Q7

What does the afterlife ending signify in the film?

The afterlife ending shows Jimmy's spirit reuniting with his fallen friends Easy Wind, Pieces, Franchise, and Critical Bill in a peaceful, joyful gathering where they raise "boat drinks" together. This bittersweet resolution represents Jimmy's redemption and suggests that despite their violent deaths, the friends find eternal peace and camaraderie beyond their troubled lives, offering emotional closure to the dark narrative.

Foreshadowing: Jimmy's earlier work with Afterlife Advice, helping dying people leave messages for loved ones, thematically foreshadows his own transition to the afterlife.

  • afterlife
  • reunion
  • boat drinks
  • redemption
  • spiritual ending
Q8

Why does Jimmy help Lucinda create a video message for her unborn child?

Jimmy helps Lucinda create a video message for her unborn child as an act of redemption and kindness in his final days. This selfless deed demonstrates that despite his criminal past and current troubles, Jimmy retains the capacity for genuine compassion. It also parallels his work at Afterlife Advice, where he helps terminally ill people leave lasting messages for their families.

Foreshadowing: Jimmy's profession running Afterlife Advice establishes his desire to help others find closure, which culminates in his meaningful interaction with Lucinda.

  • lucinda
  • video message
  • unborn child
  • redemption
  • kindness
Q9

Why does the plan to scare Bruce backfire so catastrophically?

The plan to intimidate Bruce into breaking up with Meg falls apart because Bruce becomes suspicious of the fake law enforcement approach. When he grows wary and confronts the group, the situation escalates into a violent confrontation that tragically results in Meg's accidental death. The amateur nature of Jimmy's assembled team and their lack of coordination contribute to the chaos.

Foreshadowing: The plan is described from the start as "ludicrous," foreshadowing its inevitable failure and disastrous consequences.

  • bruce
  • meg
  • plan backfires
  • intimidation
  • accidental death
Q10

What is Jimmy's relationship with Dagney?

Dagney is the young woman who has developed a loving relationship with Jimmy. In the film's final moments, Jimmy shares a heartfelt farewell with Dagney before facing his fate, showing deep emotional connection despite the chaos surrounding them. Their relationship represents Jimmy's attempt at a normal life and provides emotional grounding amid the violence.

Foreshadowing: Dagney's presence throughout the film, particularly in Jimmy's personal moments, establishes their genuine connection before the tragic conclusion.

  • dagney
  • love
  • relationship
  • farewell
  • emotional connection
Q11

Why is The Man With The Plan a quadriplegic?

The Man With The Plan became a quadriplegic due to a tragic accident, though the film does not provide explicit details about how it occurred. This condition keeps him confined to a wheelchair and dependent on others, yet despite his physical limitations, he retains absolute control over his criminal empire through manipulation and the power he wields over people like Jimmy.

Foreshadowing: His physical weakness contrasts sharply with his psychological dominance, making his role as a ruthless crime lord more chilling.

  • quadriplegic
  • accident
  • the man with the plan
  • injury
  • crime lord
Q12

Why does Easy Wind seek refuge with Baby Sinister?

After the failed job, Easy Wind flees to Baby Sinister, a powerful gang leader, seeking protection from The Man With The Plan's retribution. However, this refuge is short-lived as Mr. Shhh tracks them down and decimates Sinister's entire crew, proving that no one can hide from the hitman's reach.

Foreshadowing: The desperation to find safety leads Easy Wind to contact a known criminal figure, which only brings more violence.

  • easy wind
  • baby sinister
  • refuge
  • protection
  • massacre

Movie threads

More Movies Like Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fatalistic Crime Downward Spirals like in Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

One last job gone wrong leads to an inescapable, violent fate. If you liked the fatalistic tension and tragic consequences in 'Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead,' this thread gathers movies about one last heist gone wrong, leading to a relentless hunt and a bleak outcome. These crime stories share a sense of dread and moral collapse.

  • fatalistic
  • tense
  • grim
  • violent
  • melancholic
  • noir
  • Tone: dark, tense, bleak
  • Pacing: steady, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a character attempting redemption or escape, only to be forced into a final criminal endeavor. A critical error—often a moment of misjudgment or bad luck—sets a deadly pursuit in motion, resulting in the systematic elimination of allies and the protagonist's confrontation with their inevitable fate.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific, dark narrative arc, a high-stakes tense atmosphere, and a focus on the theme of inescapable destiny within the criminal underworld. The experience is defined by rising dread and a heavy emotional weight.

Melancholy Neo-Noir Redemptions like in Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

Gritty stories where desperate characters seek grace in a violent world. For viewers who appreciated the melancholic tone and redemptive themes in 'Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead,' this collection highlights similar movies. These neo-noir stories blend crime with drama, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and finding a sliver of hope amid grim circumstances.

  • melancholic
  • atmospheric
  • redemptive
  • gritty
  • character-driven
  • noir
  • Tone: melancholic, bittersweet, gritty
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories center on a flawed protagonist entangled in a criminal plot, but the central conflict is internal. The external violence and danger serve as a backdrop for a journey of introspection, regret, and a search for atonement. The ending often offers a form of spiritual redemption rather than a traditional happy conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their shared melancholic and atmospheric mood, their focus on character-driven redemption arcs within a crime framework, and their bittersweet emotional tone. The pacing is often steady, allowing for contemplation amidst the tension.

If you liked this

Movies Like Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

Similar movies to Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead 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.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app