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Timeline

9 Month Stretch (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 82 mins · French
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Starring
Jan Kounen, Terry Gilliam, Laure Calamy, Babetida Sadjo, Jean Dujardin, David Marsais

A young, principled judge named Ariane Felder finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. The situation is complicated further when paternity tests reveal the father to be Bob, a criminal defendant facing serious charges. With no memory of the events leading to her pregnancy, Ariane must navigate the complexities of motherhood while grappling with the unusual circumstances and the challenges ahead.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

9 Month Stretch Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of 9 Month Stretch (2013) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. New Year's Eve 2013: Ariane's drunken night

    On New Year's Eve 2013, Ariane Felder, a forty-something judge who is wary of dating, drinks more than she intends after colleagues push her to let loose. The night ends with her losing control, a rare lapse in someone who keeps her life tightly regulated. This moment sets the tone for the personal turmoil to come.

    When
    2013-12-31
  2. Six months later: pregnancy confirmed

    Six months after that night, Ariane discovers she is pregnant and is unsure who the father is. She initially suspects her charming colleague De Bernard, but the possibility that her personal life could collide with her professional duties hangs over her. The mystery of paternity begins to drive the plot.

    When
    2014-06
  3. Suspicion shifts to De Bernard

    She conducts a paternity inquiry and initially suspects De Bernard, a colleague who is pleasant but not forthcoming. The uncertainty pushes her to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding that New Year's Eve. The search for answers intensifies the personal stakes.

    When
    2014-06
  4. The real father revealed: Bob Nolan

    Her investigation uncovers that the father is Bob Nolan, a notorious criminal linked to prostitutes and burglaries. He is also suspected of a brutal murder that has drawn sensational media attention, elevating the case into a public spectacle. The pregnancy becomes entangled with Nolan's infamy.

    When
    2014-07
  5. Nolan is arrested

    Nolan is arrested by the authorities, and the case becomes a high-profile legal matter. Ariane remains unaware that the child she carries is his, adding a personal dimension to the criminal proceedings. The arrest marks a turning point in the tension between justice and desire.

    When
    2014-07
  6. A cryptic recognition during the interview

    During an interview while in custody, Nolan seems to recognize Ariane, adding a personal undercurrent to the proceedings. He still does not know that the baby is his, which raises the stakes of any future revelations. The moment hints at an uneasy connection between the two.

    When
    2014-07
  7. Break-in at Ariane’s home

    Shortly after the interview, Nolan, now on the run, breaks into Ariane's home, catching her by surprise. The intrusion shatters her sense of safety and heightens the danger surrounding her unborn child. The scene pivots the story from courtroom drama to direct personal threat.

    When
    late 2014
    Where
    Ariane’s home
  8. The abortive attack inside the home

    In the confrontation inside her home, Nolan performs a brutal act intended to threaten the pregnancy by deliberately throwing himself onto Ariane's abdomen from a pile of furniture. Ariane fights back, turning the violent moment into a struggle for her life and her unborn child. The danger is immediate and personal.

    When
    late 2014
    Where
    Ariane’s home
  9. Nolan offers a deal

    After the assault, Nolan proposes a deal: he won't reveal details about his nights if Ariane helps him demonstrate that he's not the barbaric eye-eater causing headlines around the world. The offer introduces a moral compromise that pits truth against safety. The negotiation binds their fates in a morally gray zone.

    When
    late 2014
    Where
    Ariane’s home
  10. Ariane faces a moral dilemma

    Ariane must decide whether to aid Nolan at the risk of exposing personal secrets or protect herself, her unborn child, and the integrity of the justice system. The decision tests her professionally and ethically, just as her pregnancy complicates every move. The outcome remains uncertain in the summary.

    When
    late 2014
  11. Media frenzy around the eye-eater headlines

    Public and media attention intensifies, with headlines about the barbaric eye-eater circulating worldwide. The spotlight puts Ariane and the unborn child under constant scrutiny, complicating every decision she faces. The sensational coverage amplifies the stakes of the case and the personal risk involved.

    When
    late 2014
  12. Cliffhanger: the negotiation continues

    The summary ends with Nolan's deal proposal and Ariane's looming decision, leaving the ultimate resolution of paternity, the case, and her future unresolved. The tension between truth, safety, and justice remains in limbo, shaping the film's dramatic arc.

    When
    late 2014

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:42

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Timeline questions answered

9 Month Stretch Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of 9 Month Stretch (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Who is Bob Nolan and why is he dangerous?

Bob Nolan is a notorious criminal described as a lover of prostitutes and a burglar with a history of repeated offenses. He is most infamous for being suspected of violently cutting the four limbs of an old man, earning him the media nickname "eye-eater" - a barbaric figure who has dominated headlines for brutal violent acts.

  • bob nolan
  • criminal
  • eye-eater
  • violent crimes
Q2

Why does Bob Nolan recognize Ariane during the interview?

During his custody interview, Nolan recognizes Ariane, though he remains unaware that she is carrying his child. The recognition suggests he remembers her from their encounter on New Year's Eve 2013, the night when Ariane lost control after drinking heavily and later discovered she became pregnant.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish that Ariane's New Year's Eve night involved multiple people at a social gathering.

  • bob nolan
  • recognition
  • interview
  • new year's eve
Q3

What is the "eye-eater" case that headlines Nolan?

The "eye-eater" refers to the sensational media coverage of Bob Nolan's alleged brutal attack in which he reportedly cut the four limbs of an old man. This violent act, whether fully proven or exaggerated by press, has made Nolan a figure of public horror and a high-profile defendant facing serious charges.

  • eye-eater
  • media headlines
  • violent attack
  • bob nolan
Q4

Why does Nolan break into Ariane's home after being arrested?

After his arrest, Nolan manages to go on the run and breaks into Ariane's home. The intrusion appears motivated by his need to silence her or exert control, particularly after recognizing her during the interview and realizing she could connect him to the New Year's Eve incident that led to her pregnancy.

Foreshadowing: The interview scene establishes Nolan knows who Ariane is and that he has something to hide.

  • break-in
  • home invasion
  • nolan
  • ariane home
Q5

Why does Nolan attempt to harm Ariane's pregnancy?

During the break-in, Nolan deliberately throws himself onto Ariane's abdomen from a pile of furniture in what is described as a "criminal" abortion attempt. This brutal act reveals Nolan's desperation to eliminate evidence of his connection to Ariane and prevent any claim on his life or future legal exposure through the child.

  • abortion attempt
  • pregnancy attack
  • nolan violence
  • baby
Q6

What deal does Nolan offer Ariane after the attack?

After the assault, Nolan proposes a bargain: he will keep silent about his nocturnal activities if Ariane helps him convince the world that he is not the barbaric "eye-eater" depicted in headlines. The deal forces Ariane to choose between protecting herself and her unborn child or helping a violent criminal manipulate public perception.

  • nolan deal
  • blackmail
  • eye-eater
  • negotiation
Q7

How does Ariane discover Nolan is the father?

After initially suspecting her colleague Judge De Bernard, Ariane conducts a paternity investigation that uncovers Bob Nolan as the father. The discovery shocks her because Nolan is a notorious criminal with a violent history, not someone she would have expected to have any connection with.

  • paternity test
  • dna
  • father revealed
  • bob nolan
Q8

Why is Ariane confused about her pregnancy?

Ariane discovers she is pregnant six months after New Year's Eve 2013, but she has no memory of the events leading to her pregnancy due to her heavy drinking that night. This memory gap, combined with her reluctance to date, leaves her uncertain about who the father might be when she first learns she is expecting.

Foreshadowing: The New Year's Eve scene establishes that Ariane drank excessively and lost control of herself.

  • pregnancy
  • memory loss
  • new year's eve
  • drunk night
Q9

Why does the case become a public spectacle?

The case becomes high-profile because Bob Nolan is already a notorious figure associated with the violent "eye-eater" headlines. When his connection to a pregnant judge is revealed, the story naturally draws intense media attention, putting Ariane and her unborn child under constant public scrutiny.

  • media frenzy
  • public case
  • high profile
  • legal proceedings
Q10

How does Ariane balance her role as a judge with her personal situation?

As a judge, Ariane faces the unique challenge of having a personal case that intersects with the justice system. Her pregnancy by a criminal defendant creates a conflict between her professional duties and her private life, especially as the case becomes entangled with legal scrutiny and public perception.

  • judge
  • professional conflict
  • pregnancy
  • legal ethics
Q11

What decision must Ariane make at the end of the film?

Ariane faces a moral dilemma: whether to help Nolan fabricate a narrative that he's not the barbaric figure in headlines, thereby protecting herself and her baby from further danger, or to refuse and risk Nolan's retaliation while upholding her integrity and the justice system.

  • moral dilemma
  • decision
  • choice
  • nolan deal
Q12

Why do Ariane's colleagues encourage her to drink on New Year's Eve?

Ariane's colleagues, particularly Daisy, push her to loosen up and follow the moment despite her usual reluctance to date men. Their encouragement leads Ariane to drink more than she intends, resulting in her losing control - a rare lapse in someone who keeps her life tightly regulated.

  • new year's eve
  • colleagues
  • pressure to drink
  • daisy

Movie threads

More Movies Like 9 Month Stretch, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 9 Month Stretch tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Courtroom Ethics movies like 9 Month Stretch

Stories where legal judgment clashes with personal moral crises. If you liked 9 Month Stretch, you'll enjoy other movies featuring judges and lawyers whose personal lives dangerously intersect with their professional responsibilities. These films explore moral ambiguity and the heavy burden of judgment.

  • tense
  • unsettling
  • morally complex
  • anxious
  • urgent
  • thought-provoking
  • Tone: tense, unsettling
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow legal protagonists whose personal entanglements directly conflict with their professional roles. The story unfolds as an investigation, revealing layers of complication that test the character's principles and force a re-examination of their beliefs, often under significant external pressure.

Why they belong together: These films share a tense, morally complex atmosphere where the central conflict arises from the collision of a structured, professional world with chaotic personal circumstances. They explore themes of justice, ethics, and the human flaws within systems of power.

Awkward High-Stakes Alliance movies similar to 9 Month Stretch

When the person you're forced to rely on is the last one you'd choose. For viewers who enjoyed the forced partnership in 9 Month Stretch, this thread features movies about characters thrown together by circumstance, creating tense and often darkly humorous dynamics as they navigate a shared crisis.

  • awkward
  • tense
  • unsettling
  • urgent
  • unlikely duo
  • forced cooperation
  • Tone: tense, awkward
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories begin with a disruptive event that creates an unavoidable connection between two mismatched characters. The plot revolves around their uneasy negotiations, reluctant cooperation, and the gradual, fraught process of navigating a shared problem, often with clashing methods and motives.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by the compelling, often tense dynamic of an involuntary alliance. The central appeal is the friction and awkwardness of the relationship, combined with the high stakes of their situation, creating a unique blend of suspense and character-driven conflict.

Every angle

9 Month Stretch (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about 9 Month Stretch in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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