Under the Boardwalk (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Armen's timidity stems from witnessing his parents' death in a storm. This traumatic loss has left him anxious and withdrawn, using his shell as a protective barrier against the outside world. The rotting shell also houses Anemone, a small organism that provides him companionship and hope after his tragedy.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Armen watching other crabs interact from the safety of his shell, establishing his pattern of avoidance.

• armen
• shell
• anxiety
• trauma
• parents death

The two groups have deep-seated grudges rooted in territorial disputes and cultural differences. Land crabs live beneath the boardwalk while sea crabs visit seasonally, and their paths rarely cross without tension. The feud escalates when Mako's gang pushes to claim Ramona and dominate the land crabs.

Foreshadowing: The summary establishes their rivalry as ongoing, with conflicts sparking whenever their paths intersect.

• land crabs
• sea crabs
• conflict
• feud
• territory

Mako is a hot-headed sea crab who wants to assert dominance over the land crabs. When Armen accidentally bumps into Ramona during the club confrontation, Mako sees this as a violation of social boundaries and an opportunity to escalate his power grab. His interest in Ramona also makes Armen a rival.

Foreshadowing: Mako's aggressive demeanor at Bruno's club signals his intent to establish dominance early.

• mako
• ramona
• dominance
• rivalry

After Mako's gang steals Armen's shell and Ramona intervenes, a powerful high tide sweeps across the beach. This devastating storm surge destroys the land crabs' civilization beneath the boardwalk, forcing them to evacuate and setting the protagonists on their journey.

Foreshadowing: The summary frames the high tide as a catastrophic event that fundamentally changes the story's direction.

• high tide
• storm
• destruction
• boardwalk

Mako steals Armen's shell as a act of humiliation and dominance after their confrontation at the shore. Leaving Armen exposed and vulnerable is meant to punish him for interacting with Ramona and to assert Mako's power over the land crabs. The shell theft forces Armen into immediate danger.

Foreshadowing: Mako's gang closing in on Armen before the theft establishes their aggressive intent.

• mako
• shell
• theft
• dominance
• punishment

After losing his right arm during a clash with Bobby, Mako seeks revenge by eliminating Armen socially rather than physically. He spreads the false rumor that Armen died and returns his shell with Anemone inside to convince the land crabs. This deception triggers the land crabs to declare war.

Foreshadowing: Mako's vow for revenge and the violent arm injury set up his desperate, deceptive tactic.

• mako
• lie
• death
• revenge
• deception

As a sea crab, Ramona cannot survive for long out of water. During the journey back to the shore, she becomes severely dehydrated and collapses near the water's edge. This life-threatening crisis forces Armen to act courageously and carry her into the waves.

Foreshadowing: The journey's difficulty and Ramona's struggles hint at her physical limitations away from the ocean.

• ramona
• dehydration
• collapse
• water
• rescue

Bobby, one of Armen's friends who initially relies on brute force, begins to doubt his approach after encountering Shelly, Ramona's deaf sister. Her different way of navigating the world helps him see that strength doesn't have to mean violence, leading him to seek peaceful solutions.

Foreshadowing: Bobby's moral shift begins gradually as he interacts with Shelly during the journey.

• bobby
• shelly
• change
• growth
• peace

After Mako's deception is exposed and the conflict begins to heal, Mako offers Bobby a new shell as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation. This gift represents his willingness to move past the feud and begin building peace between the two crab communities.

Foreshadowing: The final reconciliation scene positions the shell exchange as a turning point in their relationship.

• mako
• bobby
• shell
• reconciliation
• peace

After returning home, Armen makes the selfless choice to donate his shell to a younger crab who needs it more. This act demonstrates his growth from a timid, withdrawn crab into a courageous leader willing to put others before himself, reinforcing the movie's theme of community and sacrifice.

Foreshadowing: Armen's character arc throughout the journey builds toward this moment of selflessness.

• armen
• shell
• donation
• sacrifice
• growth

After Armen carries her into the water and revives her from dehydration, Ramona kisses him in a moment of shared vulnerability. This act symbolizes her gratitude, affection, and acceptance of their relationship, inspiring the gathered crabs to reconsider their prejudices.

Foreshadowing: Their growing bond throughout the journey builds toward this emotional moment.

• ramona
• armen
• kiss
• rescue
• romance

Anemone is a small, lively organism that inhabits Armen's rotting shell. It serves as his only companion after his parents' death, providing daily hope and brightening his otherwise isolated life. Anemone represents resilience and the small joys that help people through grief.

Foreshadowing: Anemone's presence is established early as Armen's sole source of comfort.

• anemone
• shell
• companion
• hope