Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Time Travel Gambit
Cole is recruited from a future compound and sent back to 1990, only to be committed to a psychiatric hospital.
Key Events
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Future Compound Selection — Cole selected for time mission Characters: James Cole
Location: Philadelphia Compound
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Time Jump Miscalculation — Cole arrives in wrong year Characters: James Cole
Location: Baltimore
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Psychiatric Diagnosis — Railly diagnoses Cole as delusional Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Psychiatric Hospital
Inmates and Investigations
Cole bonds with Jeffrey Goines, escapes, and reunites with Dr. Railly, who begins treating his injuries.
Key Events
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Psychiatric Diagnosis — Railly diagnoses Cole as delusional Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Psychiatric Hospital
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Inmate Meeting — Cole meets Jeffrey, critic of consumerism Characters: James Cole, Jeffrey Goines
Location: Psychiatric Hospital
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Hospital Escape — Jeffrey aids Cole's escape attempt Characters: James Cole, Jeffrey Goines
Location: Psychiatric Hospital
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WWI Battlefield — Cole briefly arrives on battlefield Characters: James Cole
Location: WWI Battlefield
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Cassandra Lecture — Railly lectures, meets Peters Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters
Location: Lecture Hall
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Car Kidnapping — Cole kidnaps Railly to drive to Philadelphia Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Car
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Bullet Extraction — Railly extracts bullet from Cole's leg Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Safe House
Unraveling the Conspiracy
Railly investigates the Twelve Monkeys, dates Cole's bullet, and warns the virologist about his son.
Key Events
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Bullet Extraction — Railly extracts bullet from Cole's leg Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Safe House
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Jeffrey Investigation — Discover Jeffrey leads Twelve Monkeys Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly, Jeffrey Goines
Location: Jeffrey's Hideout
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Police Report — Police date bullet to pre-1920s Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Police Station
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WWI Photo ID — Railly identifies Cole in WWI photo Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Research Office
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Lab Security Warning — Railly warns Leland Goines about son Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters
Location: Virology Lab
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Florida Keys Trip — Couple plans to spend days together Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Florida Keys
The Airport Convergence
Cole and Railly share a final moment before the airport shooting fulfills Cole's recurring dream.
Key Events
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Florida Keys Trip — Couple plans to spend days together Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Florida Keys
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Airport Voicemail — Cole records message denying mission Characters: James Cole
Location: Airport
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Peters Recognition — Railly recognizes Peters via photo Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters
Location: Airport
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Confrontation Setup — Railly informs Cole of Peters identity Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters
Location: Airport
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Airport Shooting — Cole attempts to shoot Peters, police kill Cole Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly, Dr. Peters
Location: Airport Terminal
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Final Breath — Cole dies in Railly's arms Characters: James Cole, Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Airport Terminal
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Boy's Gaze — Railly makes eye contact with young boy Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Airport Terminal
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Flight Boarding — Peters boards flight beside scientist Jones Characters: Dr. Peters
Location: Airport Gate
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Plane Takeoff — Young boy watches plane depart Characters: Dr. Kathryn Railly
Location: Airport Exterior
In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.
