Wicked

Wicked

Year: 1998

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Steinberg

ThrillerIntense violence and sexual transgressionSuspenseful crime thrillersTwisted dark psychological thrillerGripping intense violent crime

Evil never looked so good. In an oppressive suburban cul‑de‑sac, wife and mother Karen Christianson is brutally murdered in her own home, turning the street into a literal dead end. Afterward, her teenage daughter Ellie starts to adopt her mother’s mannerisms in unsettling ways, while Karen’s husband Ben pursues a dangerously flirtatious affair with the sultry live‑in nanny, Lena.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Wicked (1998)

Trace every key event in Wicked (1998) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ellie witnesses Karen's affair

Fourteen-year-old Ellie notices her mother Karen's illicit liaison with Lawson while the family is getting ready for school. The moment exposes the dysfunction dogging their privileged home and plants seeds of suspicion in Ellie. She processes adult betrayals that will echo through the rest of the story.

Morning Family home
2

Karen plans to leave and fires Lena

Karen reveals plans to abandon her husband and relocate with the girls, signaling a full-scale upheaval. In tandem, she fires Lena as part of the breakup. Ellie senses the upheaval brewing beneath the everyday routine.

Late morning Family home
3

Karen is murdered; investigation begins

Karen is found brutally bludgeoned to death, shattering the façade of their perfect life. Ellie becomes a figure of interest as the murder is probed and secrets start to surface. Detective Boland initiates an inquiry that will drag Ellie's actions into the spotlight.

Daytime Family home
4

Ellie assumes Karen's role at home

In the wake of Karen's death, Ellie starts taking on wifely duties and assumes leadership within the household. She grows close to Ben in an unhealthy, possessive way, blurring the lines between child and caregiver. The family instability intensifies as Ellie's fixation on Ben deepens.

Following day Family home
5

Lena and Ben marry; Ellie grows jealous

Lena reveals she needs a green card, and her relationship with Ben becomes more serious, culminating in an impromptu wedding. Ellie watches with growing jealousy, feeling she should have been Ben's wife. The marriage cements the love triangle in Ellie's mind and fuels her resentment.

Soon after wedding Family home
6

Detective Boland investigates; Ellie becomes suspect

Detective Boland arrives to interrogate the murder and the surrounding family dynamics. The case is ruled a murder with Ellie's behavior under scrutiny, painting her as a leading suspect. The investigation deepens the tension, forcing Ellie to confront the consequences of hidden truths.

During investigation Police/scene
7

Ellie and Lawson plan to run away

During the wedding celebration, Ellie drinks and grows closer to Lawson, who takes her to his house. They talk about leaving together, setting a plan in motion with a meeting scheduled for 8am. The escape fantasy underscores Ellie's sense of being trapped.

Evening Lawson's house
8

Inger finds and hides the murder weapon

Inger discovers the weapon used to kill Karen—a drama mask—in Ellie's closet and hides it again in its concealed place. The act adds another layer of secrecy to the family’s already tense dynamics. It foreshadows further tragedy while keeping the truth out of reach.

Night Ellie's closet
9

Ellie confronts Ben and Lena; threat

The next morning, Ellie refuses to attend school and asserts control over her own fate. A sister's implication of guilt adds pressure, and Ellie packs to meet Lawson. She warns Ben about exposing the affair, and he ends his relationship with Lena under pressure.

Morning Family home
10

Ellie is attacked and killed; Lawson's fate sealed

An unseen attacker bludgeons Ellie to death in a manner mirroring her mother's murder. Lawson discovers Ellie and, in tears, carries her away. Detective Boland arrives, shoots Lawson, and the police quickly pivot the case away from Ellie toward Lawson as the primary suspect.

Night Family home
11

Lawson is shot; Ben and Inger move

With Lawson dead, the police close in on the presumed killer. Ben and Inger relocate to Lena's apartment, leaving the former family home behind. The household fractures have moved into a new, uneasy arrangement.

After event Lena's apartment
12

Final reveal: Inger's cold gaze and the mask

Lena discovers Inger's backpack contains the bloody mask that killed Ellie, triggering a chilling revelation. The camera lingers on Inger's cold, unreadable expression, suggesting a deeper involvement or danger to Lena. The ending hints that the cycle of violence may not be finished.

Evening Lena's apartment

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:33

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Wicked Summary

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