Tragedy Girls (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

McKayla and Sadie become obsessed with social media fame through their true crime blog 'Tragedy Girls.' When their attempt to attract serial killer Lowell Orson Lehmann fails, they resort to killing people themselves to create content and manipulate the narrative around a 'serial killer' in town. Their jealousy over Toby's growing online following directly triggers their first murder, showing how their quest for notoriety escalates from blogging to actual violence.

• mckayla hooper
• sadie cunningham
• serial killer
• murders
• social media fame

Craig Thompson is used as bait by McKayla and Sadie to attract serial killer Lowell Orson Lehmann. When Lehmann doesn't take the bait, the girls kill Craig and hide his body to make it appear as though he's another victim of the serial killer they're fabricating. His disappearance triggers the town's fear and provides the foundation for their manipulation scheme.

Foreshadowing: The girls initially present Craig as bait to lure Lehmann, establishing their willingness to sacrifice friends for their plan.

• craig thompson
• disappearance
• bait

Jordan Welch initially goes along with the girls' fabricated serial killer narrative, but eventually discovers they've been manipulating events and committing actual murders. When he aligns with law enforcement to expose the truth, McKayla and Sadie view this as a betrayal. Jordan has also been secretly investigating them, which leads to a dramatic showdown where Lehmann attacks him.

Foreshadowing: Early signs of tension appear when Jordan's father, Sheriff Welch, remains skeptical of the girls' claims about a serial killer.

• jordan welch
• sheriff welch
• betrayal
• police

After capturing serial killer Lowell Orson Lehmann, the girls keep him prisoner while fabricating a series of murders and planting evidence to make it appear he's responsible. They manipulate the town into believing he's the culprit behind all the killings, using him as a scapegoat while they continue their own killing spree undetected.

Foreshadowing: The girls' initial plan to attract Lehmann fails, so they pivot to controlling him directly.

• lowell orson lehmann
• frame
• serial killer
• evidence

Lehmann attempts to create discord between McKayla and Sadie by instilling fear that Sadie plans to double-cross McKayla. During the prom night chaos, Lehmann turns against Sadie, though the specific motivation isn't fully detailed. McKayla then fatally shoots Lehmann, and the two girls temporarily reconcile amid the violence.

Foreshadowing: Lehmann previously tries to drive a wedge between the girls by suggesting Sadie will betray McKayla.

• lehmann
• sadie
• prom night
• betrayal

During prom night, McKayla reveals a shocking truth about their childhood: she and Sadie murdered Jordan's mother when they were children. This dark revelation is revealed to Jordan himself, adding another layer to the girls' disturbed character history and explaining their twisted worldview.

• jordan's mother
• childhood murder
• secret

Despite orchestrating multiple murders including their ex-boyfriend Toby, cheerleader Syl, firefighter Big Al, their teacher, Jordan, and 124 innocent prom-goers, McKayla and Sadie escape any legal repercussions. The film ends with them appearing 'untouched by their past atrocities' and ready to continue their dark path. This bleak ending reinforces the film's nihilistic tone and satirical commentary on justice.

• consequences
• justice
• ending
• impunity

Weeks after the chaos, Sadie appears at a public event receiving admiration from Sheriff Welch while deliberately excluding McKayla from her speech. This moment signals a growing rift between the two friends, driven by the mounting pressures of national attention and the strain of their criminal activities. Their friendship deteriorates despite temporarily reconciling during the prom night violence.

Foreshadowing: Tensions between the girls have been building throughout the film, with Lehmann actively trying to sow discord between them.

• sadie
• mckayla
• split
• friendship

At a town meeting called by Mayor Campbell, McKayla and Sadie display Big Al's severed head to the public to manipulate perception against local law enforcement. This gruesome display fuels fear and mistrust in the community, creating a rally against authority. Their media manipulation showcases how they use the town's panic to further their own agenda and deflect suspicion from themselves.

Foreshadowing: Big Al had vowed to uncover the truth, making him a threat to the girls' scheme.

• town meeting
• big al
• manipulation
• mayor campbell

McKayla and Sadie kill Toby, McKayla's ex-boyfriend, because he gains more online followers than their 'Tragedy Girls' blog. Their intense jealousy over his social media success triggers the murder, which they stage as an unfortunate accident to avoid suspicion. This act marks their transition from manipulators to actual killers.

Foreshadowing: The girls' obsession with followers and fame is established from the beginning of the film.

• toby
• ex-boyfriend
• jealousy
• followers

McKayla and Sadie attack Big Al because he vows to solve the string of murders and poses a threat to their operation. At Syl's memorial, Big Al pledges to uncover the truth, making him a liability. The girls attack him at the gym, and despite his efforts to fight back, he becomes another victim of their escalating violence.

Foreshadowing: Big Al's vow at Syl's memorial directly sets him up as a target.

• big al
• firefighter
• attack
• gym

In the film's horrifying climax, McKayla and Sadie hang Jordan before setting fire to the gymnasium, resulting in the tragic deaths of 124 innocent prom-goers. This mass casualty event represents the devastating consequences of the girls' manipulation and violence, though they still face no legal consequences.

Foreshadowing: The escalating violence throughout the film builds toward this tragic conclusion.

• prom
• 124 deaths
• gymnasium
• fire