Year One

Year One

Year: 2009

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Director: Harold Ramis

Budget: $60M

AdventureComedy

Two unlikely friends are banished from their tribe and embark on a comedic journey through ancient biblical history. Along the way, they encounter well-known figures and experience numerous cultural misunderstandings. Their adventures lead them to the notorious city of Sodom, where their presence only amplifies the chaos and absurdity of the environment, leaving them hilariously out of place.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Year One yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Year One (2009)

Trace every key event in Year One (2009) 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

Zed's Life in the Village

Zed lives in a primitive village, coexisting with Marlack, the village's top hunter, who captures the affections of Maaya. Zed feels sidelined and overlooked, especially in matters of love, which sets the stage for his impulsive actions.

Primitive Village
2

Forbidden Fruit

Frustrated by his lack of respect among his peers, Zed succumbs to temptation and bites the fruit from a forbidden tree. This act leads to his banishment from the village, setting him on a path of unexpected adventures.

3

Oh Joins Zed

After Zed's banishment, Oh, another outcast who secretly loves Eema, also leaves the village. Together, they form a bond in their shared status as societal rejects, determined to find their place in the world.

4

Encounter with Cain and Abel

Wandering the wilderness, Zed and Oh stumble upon the story of Cain and Abel. A fateful conflict unfolds as Cain kills Abel, exposing the deep-seated family dynamics and introducing Zed and Oh to important characters in their journey.

5

Escape to the Coastal Town

After Cain's violent act is discovered, he escapes with Zed and Oh to a nearby coastal town. They quickly find themselves entangled in a desperate situation as they try to rescue Maaya and Eema, only to be betrayed by Cain.

Coastal Town
6

Betrayal and Slavery

Instead of rescuing the girls, Cain sells Zed and Oh into slavery. This betrayal leads to their dire fate as they are transported for auction, highlighting the treachery within their new acquaintance.

7

Chaos Erupts

Just as Zed and Oh are bound for auction, chaos unfolds when soldiers from Sodom attack the caravan. This unexpected turn of events allows Zed and Oh to escape into the desert, gaining a temporary reprieve.

Desert
8

Meeting Abraham

In the desert, Zed and Oh encounter Abraham, who is on the verge of sacrificing his son, Isaac. Abraham warns them about the impending doom of Sodom, advising them to steer clear of the sinful city.

Desert
9

Captivity in Sodom

Despite Abraham's warning, Zed and Oh find themselves captured in Sodom. They face a terrifying fate at the hands of the guards as they are thrust into the corrupt political atmosphere of the city.

Sodom
10

Cain's Unexpected Return

In a surprising twist, Cain reappears disguised as a guard, rescuing Zed and Oh and integrating them into the Sodom army. This act blurs the lines of loyalty for Zed and Oh as they navigate their new roles.

Sodom
11

Zed's Romance with Inanna

Zed's experiences deepen as he develops feelings for Princess Inanna, who reciprocates his interest. Their budding romance is interrupted by the unsettling rituals taking place in Sodom's depraved society.

Sodom
12

Ritual Sacrifice

In a bizarre display of devotion, the high priest sacrifices a virgin to invoke rain, emphasizing the city's moral decay. Zed's growing relationship with Inanna complicates matters as they grapple with the city's dark practices.

Sodom
13

Trial and Sentencing

Zed's bold claim of being chosen by the gods leads to a corrupt trial where he and Oh are sentenced to starvation or exhaustion. The imminent sacrifice of Maaya, Eema, and Inanna invokes a sense of urgency and rebellion.

Sodom
14

Zed's Rebellion

As tensions mount, Zed rises up against the King and high priest in a desperate attempt to save the destined sacrifices. His actions ignite a wave of defiance among the onlookers, who see him as a prophesied savior.

Sodom
15

A New Beginning

In the aftermath of Zed's victory, he frees Maaya while Oh has a transformative moment with Eema. With Inanna now queen, Zed and Maaya set out toward Egypt, symbolizing hope and resilience as they embrace new adventures together.

Road to Egypt

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:29

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Anachronistic Comedies like Year One

Modern characters and sensibilities hilariously collide with ancient or historical settings.If you liked the fish-out-of-water humor in 'Year One', you'll enjoy these movies where modern wit meets ancient times. This list features films with similar chaotic adventures, historical parody, and comedic misunderstandings, perfect for fans of lighthearted, fast-paced stories.

anachronisticsatiricallightheartedhistorical parodychaoticfish-out-of-waterirreverent

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow one or more characters as they navigate a historical setting with their modern perspectives. The humor arises from anachronisms, satirical takes on well-known historical events or figures, and the characters' attempts to apply contemporary logic to ancient problems, often leading to chaotic but hilarious outcomes.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared comedic premise of anachronism. They prioritize laughs over historical fidelity, feature a fast, episodic pace, and maintain a light tone even when characters face medium-stakes peril. The central appeal is the consistent collision of the modern and the ancient.

Buddy Journey Comedies like Year One

Two ill-matched friends stumble through a grand adventure, causing chaos at every turn.Fans of the bumbling duo in 'Year One' will love these movies about mismatched friends on a ridiculous quest. This collection features stories with a similar fast pace, light emotional weight, and focus on comedic chemistry and chaotic adventures between two main characters.

buddy comedymismatched duoroad tripchaotic adventurelightheartedhumorousfriendship

Narrative Summary

The plot is a straightforward journey or quest, but the focus is less on the destination and more on the comedic episodes along the way. The narrative structure is episodic, with the buddies encountering a series of obstacles and characters, each interaction highlighting their incompetence, loyalty, and unique way of solving (or creating) problems.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by the 'buddy' dynamic at their core, combined with a journey narrative and a consistently humorous tone. The similarity lies in the pacing, the lighthearted handling of adventure, and the emotional focus on friendship triumphing over absurd circumstances.

Unlock the Full Story of Year One

Don't stop at just watching — explore Year One in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Year One is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Year One Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Year One, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Year One Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Year One

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Year One. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Year One

Year One Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Year One that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Year One Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Year One

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Year One: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Year One

Similar Movies to Year One

Discover movies like Year One that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.