Those People (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Tim senses that Charlie is emotionally hesitant due to his lingering feelings for Sebastian. Tim wants clarity and honesty in a relationship, so he decides to end things rather than compete with Charlie's unresolved emotions for his best friend.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Charlie neglects his friendship with Sebastian as his relationship with Tim develops, which creates the emotional tension Tim picks up on.

• tim breakup
• charlie tim relationship
• emotional hesitation
• unrequited love

Sebastian values his friendship with Charlie above any romantic possibility. He gently refuses Charlie's confession at the Halloween party, explaining that their friendship means more to him than exploring a romantic relationship, especially given his emotional struggles.

Foreshadowing: Charlie's mother warned that his feelings for Sebastian were unreciprocated, hinting at this rejection long before it happens.

• sebastian rejects charlie
• halloween confession
• friend vs romance
• unrequited feelings

Sebastian's father Dick was a wealthy financier arrested for white-collar crimes. The scandal brings public shame and media attention that Sebastian cannot escape. Beyond the embarrassment, the arrest forces Sebastian to confront his father's moral corruption, triggering his depression and sense of familial betrayal.

Foreshadowing: The paparazzi incident at the bar, where Sebastian is denied service due to his father's notoriety, shows how the scandal follows him everywhere.

• sebastian father arrest
• white collar crime
• depression
• family scandal
• paparazzi

Multiple factors converge to push Sebastian to the balcony. He learns about Tim's departure, struggles with the guilt of hurting both Charlie and Tim, and is still reeling from his father's suicide in prison. The combination of grief, shame, and feeling like a burden becomes overwhelming.

Foreshadowing: Sebastian's history of depression and his father's ultimatum about continuing the family's destructive legacy plant the seeds for this crisis.

• sebastian suicide attempt
• balcony scene
• despair
• father suicide

Charlie's mother worries about her son's emotional well-being. She knows Charlie has had long-standing, unreciprocated feelings for Sebastian for years. She fears that living together would only deepen Charlie's unrequited love and potentially hurt him when Sebastian doesn't reciprocate.

Foreshadowing: This maternal concern foreshadows the emotional triangle that develops throughout the film.

• charlie mother
• disapproval
• sebastian
• unrequited feelings
• concern

Sebastian visits his estranged father in prison, where he receives a shocking ultimatum to continue the family's destructive legacy. The visit ends devastatingly, Sebastian's father takes his own life while incarcerated, adding immense guilt and trauma to Sebastian's already fractured life.

Foreshadowing: The ultimatum about continuing the family's legacy hints at the father's desperation and moral corruption.

• sebastian father suicide
• prison
• ultimatum
• family legacy

Charlie saves Sebastian because despite their fractured friendship and romantic rejection, he cares deeply about Sebastian's life. The intervention demonstrates Charlie's loyalty and love, though it comes at an emotional cost, Tim feels hurt seeing that he will always come second to Sebastian in Charlie's heart.

Foreshadowing: Charlie's history of putting Sebastian first, including neglecting his relationship with Tim, culminates in this pivotal rescue.

• charlie saves sebastian
• balcony rescue
• intervention
• loyalty

Charlie and Tim part ways when Tim moves to San Francisco to join the Symphony. Their farewell is bittersweet, sad but hopeful, with warmth between them. The film ends with Charlie staying in New York while Tim leaves, suggesting their relationship has ended but may have potential for the future.

Foreshadowing: Tim's dream of joining the San Francisco Symphony was established earlier, setting up this eventual separation.

• charlie tim ending
• san francisco
• symphony
• farewell
• relationship outcome

Sebastian decides to leave New York for a fresh start, though the exact destination is not specified. He begins rebuilding his identity with support from Charlie and Charlie's mother. The film concludes with a toast to their enduring friendship, showing Sebastian has moved toward healing.

Foreshadowing: Sebastian's arc from depression and trauma to rebuilding identity prepares him for this departure.

• sebastian leaves new york
• fresh start
• healing
• resolution

Charlie's Master's thesis art exhibition serves as a visual reflection of his emotional journey throughout the film, his struggles with love, guilt, friendship, and self-discovery. The completed exhibition marks his personal growth and artistic development during this tumultuous period.

Foreshadowing: Charlie is established as a gifted art student from the beginning, making his artistic journey central to his character development.

• charlie art exhibition
• masters thesis
• inner journey
• growth

When Sebastian brings home a new acquaintance, Charlie interprets it as a deliberate provocation after his confession. This triggers Charlie's bottled-up emotions, leading to a chaotic confrontation that further damages their friendship and forces Sebastian to leave.

Foreshadowing: The tension from Charlie's rejected confession and his guilt over neglecting Sebastian sets up this explosive moment.

• sebastian acquaintance
• confrontation
• apartment
• emotional conflict