What is the time line of the narrative?
The narrative of the film follows a ‘wraparound’ time line. The stunning opening scene in the prologue takes place at approximately 3:30 p.m., on Tuesday June 22, 1954 in the moments following the murder of Honora Rieper. This time comes from the real-life trial testimony, not the film. The narrative returns, through the titles and opening credits, to approximately February 1952 and the day Juliet first arrives at Pauline’s school, “Girls’ High.” The rest of the film follows a straightforward, linear, but uneven time line, with two brief flashbacks. The narrative comes to its emotionally devastating conclusion in the minutes just after 3:20 p.m., Tuesday June 22, 1954, according to Jackson’s speculation. “Heavenly Creatures” ends in the first few moments of Honora Rieper’s murder. There is a residual gap between the events shown at the film’s conclusion and the events shown at its wraparound start. The length of the residual narrative gap cannot be determined solely from the film, but
