What Happens in Death to 2020?
The complete story of Death to 2020, from the first scene to the last, in 265 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Presented in a mockumentary style, this film features a cast of characters who reflect on the chaotic events of 2020, blending factual history with sharp satire. The narrative focuses heavily on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the United Kingdom and the United States, while also delving into the high-stakes 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.
The story journeys through the early months of the year, touching upon the Australian bushfires, the environmental activism of Greta Thunberg, and the decision by Prince Harry and Meghan to step away from royal duties. The film also satirizes the 2020 Oscars. As the year progresses, the summary covers the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent global protests, including the removal of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol and Donald Trump’s controversial photo op at St. John’s Church.
Regarding the pandemic, the film examines the UK’s national lockdowns, the royal addresses to the public, the spread of misinformation, and the eventual rollout of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine. The political landscape is equally scrutinized, covering everything from Donald Trump’s impeachment acquittal and the Democratic primaries between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders to the eventual election victory for Biden and the subsequent attempts by Trump to overturn the results.
Throughout these discussions, we hear from a diverse group of characters, including Dash Bracket, Bark Multiverse, and Duke Goolies, with the proceedings guided by the Narrator. Other figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Tennyson Foss, and Boris Johnson appear as part of this satirical retrospective. The film concludes with a series of humorous and ironic predictions for what the year 2021 might hold.
Death to 2020 Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
21 key events in the order they happen, from “Australian Bushfire Crisis” to “Joking Predictions for 2021”. 18 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Australian Bushfire Crisis
The 2019-20 Australian bushfire season reached its devastating peak as millions of hectares burned across the continent. The fires killed or displaced billions of animals, destroyed thousands of homes, and set the tone for a year dominated by crisis headlines.
When:January 2020 Where:Australia
- 2
Greta Thunberg Speaks at Davos
Climate activist Greta Thunberg delivered a series of pointed environmental speeches at the World Economic Forum. Her blunt remarks pressured world leaders and business executives to take urgent climate action, keeping environmental issues firmly on the global agenda at the start of the year.
When:January 2020 Where:Davos, Switzerland
- 3
Harry and Meghan Step Back
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced they were stepping down as senior members of the British royal family. The shock decision, immediately dubbed 'Megxit' by the press, triggered a media frenzy and heated debate about the future of the monarchy.
When:January 2020 Where:United Kingdom
- 4
Trump Acquitted in Impeachment Trial
Donald Trump was acquitted by the US Senate on both articles of impeachment, securing a political victory early in the election year. The result kept the president in office and fueled the polarized political battles that would define the months ahead.
When:February 2020 Where:Washington, D.C.
- 5
The 2020 Academy Awards
The 92nd Academy Awards honored the best films of the previous year, with Parasite making history as the first non-English-language movie to win Best Picture. The star-studded ceremony proved to be one of the last big glamorous public gatherings before the pandemic reshaped everyday life.
When:February 2020 Where:Hollywood, Los Angeles
- 6
Democratic Primaries: Biden vs. Sanders
A contested Democratic primary pitted Bernie Sanders against Joe Biden, with voters split over the party's future direction. Biden eventually pulled ahead and clinched the nomination, setting up a general election showdown against Donald Trump.
When:Early 2020 Where:United States
- 7
COVID-19 Becomes a Global Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic took hold in both the United States and the United Kingdom, rapidly becoming the defining story of the year. Public life ground to a halt as cases surged, hospitals strained, and governments scrambled to respond to the crisis.
When:March 2020 Where:United States and United Kingdom
- 8
First National Lockdown in England
With infections climbing fast, England entered its first national lockdown and citizens were ordered to stay at home. Streets emptied, schools and businesses closed, and daily routines were disrupted in ways few had ever experienced.
When:March 2020 Where:England
- 9
Royal Addresses to the Nation
As the pandemic gripped the UK, senior members of the British royal family delivered rare televised addresses to the nation. The solemn speeches were intended to steady and unite the country, becoming some of the most memorable moments of the crisis in Britain.
When:April 2020 Where:United Kingdom
- 10
Misinformation Spreads Online
False claims and conspiracy theories about the virus, its origins, and supposed cures circulated widely across social media. Experts and commentators warned that the flood of misinformation was seriously undermining public health efforts on both sides of the Atlantic.
When:Throughout 2020
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- 11
Murder of George Floyd and US Protests
George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, igniting mass protests across the United States and beyond. Demonstrators poured into the streets demanding racial justice and an end to police brutality, in some of the largest demonstrations in American history.
When:May-June 2020 Where:Minneapolis, Minnesota
- 12
Trump's St. John's Church Photo Op
Donald Trump staged a photo op at St. John's Church near the White House after law enforcement cleared peaceful protesters from the area. The widely condemned scene became one of the defining images of the civil unrest sweeping the country.
When:June 2020 Where:St. John's Church, Washington, D.C.
- 13
Edward Colston Statue Toppled
Protesters in Bristol tore down the statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston and pushed it into the harbor. The dramatic act sparked a national conversation in England about colonial monuments and the legacy of Britain's role in the slave trade.
When:June 2020 Where:Bristol, England
- 14
Biden Picks Kamala Harris
Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate, making her the first Black and South Asian woman on a major-party presidential ticket. The choice energized the Democratic campaign heading into the final stretch of the race.
When:August 2020 Where:United States
- 15
Trump's Tax Returns Exposed
The New York Times published a bombshell investigation into Donald Trump's long-hidden tax returns. The reports revealed years of aggressive tax avoidance and mounting financial pressure on the president, dominating headlines ahead of the election.
When:September 2020
- 16
Presidential Debates
Biden and Trump clashed in notoriously chaotic presidential debates that quickly became viral moments. The hostile exchanges underscored the stakes of the election and the deep divisions in American politics in the closing weeks of the campaign.
When:September-October 2020 Where:United States
- 17
Second National Lockdown in England
As cases surged again in the autumn, England entered its second national lockdown, closing nonessential businesses and urging the public to stay home once more. The renewed restrictions marked another dramatic turn in the country's battle against the virus.
When:November 2020 Where:England
- 18
Biden Wins the Election
After days of vote counting, Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 US presidential election, defeating incumbent Donald Trump. Celebrations erupted across the country as Biden and Harris prepared to take office.
When:November 2020 Where:United States
- 19
Trump Refuses to Concede
Donald Trump refused to concede defeat, promoting a series of false claims and pursuing unsuccessful lawsuits in an attempt to overturn the election results. The weeks of baseless rhetoric added further chaos to an already tumultuous end of the year.
When:November-December 2020 Where:United States
- 20
First Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccinations
Following successful vaccine trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was authorized and administered outside clinical trials for the first time. The launch of vaccination campaigns offered the first real sign of light at the end of a devastating pandemic year.
When:December 2020 Where:United Kingdom and United States
- 21
Joking Predictions for 2021
The mockumentary closes with the characters delivering tongue-in-cheek predictions for what 2021 might bring. The satirical forecasts provide a wry send-off to the exhausting, eventful year that was 2020.
When:End of 2020
Quiz
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