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Plot Summary

Babes (2024) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2024 · 1 h 49 m · English
Echo score 75
JustWatch #6,556 4
Starring
Hasan Minhaj, Stephan James, John Carroll Lynch, Michelle Buteau, Oliver Platt, Whoopi Goldberg
Budget
$3.7M

Following an unexpected pregnancy, Eden finds herself overwhelmed and seeks solace in her close friend Dawn. Together, they confront the challenges and joys of impending parenthood, ultimately learning about the complexities of friendship and the journey to finding their place as mothers.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Babes
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Babes (2024)

Where can you watch Babes? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hulu, Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Babes: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Babes (2024) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

As the movie unfolds in the vibrant landscape of New York City, we are introduced to the spirited yoga instructor, Eden, portrayed by Ilana Glazer, who is eagerly anticipating her annual Thanksgiving outing to the cinema with her inevitably expectant best friend, Dawn. Their lively pre-film banter is abruptly interrupted by an unexpected twist—Dawn's water has broken. With a heart full of optimism, Eden steps in to assess the situation, only to find that progress seems painfully slow. They decide, nonetheless, to grab one last meal before heading to the hospital.

As contractions intensify, the pair makes an awkward escape from the restaurant, culminating in a rushed crawl through the hospital lobby, where they are met by Marty, Dawn's supportive husband, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their baby girl, Melanie. Unfortunately, Eden's delicate stomach turns when she witnesses an unceremonious incident just prior to the birth.

The following days find Eden on a quest for sushi to share with Dawn, but with a twist—she's denied entry into the hospital due to not being immediate family. Unfazed, she brings the entire meal on the subway and serendipitously meets Claude, a charming actor played by Stephan James. Sparks fly as they bond over their individual experiences of loss and career struggles, but the budding romance takes a backseat when festivities for New Year's Eve present themselves. In a haze of shrooms, Dawn drifts into a psychedelic world, while Eden embarks on an introspective journey, sparking thoughts about her potential motherhood after a marathon of 28 pregnancy tests leads to an astonishing conclusion—she might also be expecting.

As Eden prepares for her ultrasound appointment with Dr. Gil, played by John Carroll Lynch, it becomes a shared experience when Dawn steps in to support her friend through the health checks. This deeply significant moment turns serious when Eden learns of Claude's tragic passing following an almond-related choking incident—a loss that leaves her reeling with grief over the death of a connection that felt so real.

With the confirmation of her pregnancy and her resolve to keep the baby, Eden shifts her focus back to assisting Dawn in navigating the tumultuous journey of motherhood. As days unfold, the challenges of childcare become increasingly complex, especially when Dawn and Marty face a setback after their trusted nanny is lured away by wealthier parents. This leaves them grappling with the regression of their son, Tommy, characteristically played by Caleb Mermelstein-Knox.

Eden's next prenatal visit presents another layer of complexity, as she must reluctantly reach out to her estranged father, Bernie, portrayed by Oliver Platt, due to Dawn's work obligations. As the appointment progresses, the anxiety surges as Eden confronts a daunting medical procedure. Following the appointment, a heartfelt discussion between father and daughter unfolds, revealing the emotional impact of his absence during Eden's upbringing and his newfound commitment to becoming a grandfather.

Simultaneously, Dawn and Marty welcome a new nanny into their home, but their initial excitement sours when Tommy's dark fascination with The Omen leads to unsettling incidents. In her desperation to manage the chaos, Dawn seeks out a doula, interviewing a multitude of candidates before finally discovering Dragana, played by Elena Ouspenskaia, a nurturing presence for her birthing journey.

Meanwhile, the pressures of motherhood take a toll on Dawn as she struggles to juggle work obligations alongside postpartum depression. Tension escalates when Eden proposes moving into the basement of Dawn and Marty's home. Dawn staunchly denies this idea, emphasizing her familial priorities. Their heated exchange leads to a rift, complicating their friendship as unexpected plumbing disasters threaten to upend their household stability.

As Eden prepares for labor, immersed in relaxation, she’s suddenly interrupted by a FaceTime call from Dawn bearing exciting news about potential job opportunities. However, her euphoria crumbles when she senses Dawn's lingering gaze on her pregnant belly. As panic sets in, Eden scrambles to gather herself for the impending birth with Dragana's assistance. Their reunion is bittersweet, but it culminates in a triumphant moment of reconciliation as they make their way to the hospital, where they joyfully welcome a beautiful baby girl named Claudette.

Fast forward to the next Thanksgiving, and the now-proud mother, Eden, returns to the movie theater with her daughter, immersing them in the cinematic world and introducing Claudette to the legacy of her father. After the film, the two friends, having faced numerous challenges yet remained unified, beamed with warmth in the crisp autumn air. Dawn shares her decision to move back to Astoria, mere blocks away from Eden, promising that despite life's changes, their connection will remain unbroken, ensuring the love and friendship they share will continue to flourish.

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 13:56

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Plot questions answered

Babes Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Babes (2024): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

How did Eden meet Claude on the subway?

Eden was bringing sushi to the hospital for Dawn after the baby was born, but she wasn't allowed in since she wasn't immediate family. She took the sushi onto the subway and sat down, where she met Claude, a charming actor who was also on the train.

  • Eden
  • Claude
  • subway
  • sushi
  • meeting
Q2

What caused Claude's death in the movie?

Claude died from choking on an almond. Eden learned about this tragic loss during her own ultrasound appointment, just as she was discovering she was pregnant. His death left her grieving a connection that had felt very real to her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Eden and Claude bonded over their shared experiences of loss and career struggles, making his death more impactful.

  • Claude
  • death
  • almond
  • choking
  • grief
Q3

How did Eden find out she was pregnant?

After a New Year's Eve celebration where she took shrooms and had an introspective journey, Eden became curious about whether she was pregnant. She took 28 pregnancy tests, which led to the astonishing conclusion that she might also be expecting.

  • pregnancy
  • 28 tests
  • New Year's Eve
  • Eden
Q4

Why did Eden reach out to her estranged father Bernie?

Eden needed support during a prenatal appointment that involved a daunting medical procedure. Since Dawn had work obligations, Eden reluctantly reached out to her estranged father Bernie. During their conversation, Bernie revealed his regret about being absent during Eden's upbringing and his commitment to becoming a present grandfather.

  • Bernie
  • estranged father
  • prenatal
  • Eden
  • grandfather
Q5

What caused Dawn's struggle with postpartum depression?

Dawn faced postpartum depression while juggling the pressures of motherhood alongside her work obligations. The challenges were compounded when their trusted nanny left for wealthier parents, causing their son Tommy to regress. These overwhelming pressures created tension in her marriage and friendship with Eden.

  • postpartum depression
  • Dawn
  • motherhood
  • work
  • nanny
Q6

Why did Dawn refuse Eden's offer to move into the basement?

When Eden proposed moving into the basement of Dawn and Marty's home, Dawn firmly refused. This rejection stemmed from Dawn's need to focus on her own family priorities during a difficult period of postpartum depression and childcare challenges, causing a heated exchange that strained their friendship.

  • basement
  • Dawn
  • Eden
  • friendship
  • fight
Q7

Why did Dawn and Marty's nanny leave?

The nanny was lured away by wealthier parents who offered better pay. This loss caused their son Tommy to regress developmentally, adding to the chaos of new parenthood and forcing Dawn to desperately search for alternative childcare support.

  • nanny
  • Tommy
  • wealthy parents
  • childcare
Q8

Why did Eden panic when Dawn FaceTimed her during labor prep?

As Eden prepared for labor in a state of relaxation, Dawn called with exciting news about potential job opportunities. However, Eden panicked when she noticed Dawn lingeringly gazing at her pregnant belly, causing her to scramble to compose herself before the impending birth.

  • Eden
  • FaceTime
  • panic
  • labor
  • Dawn
Q9

How did Eden and Dawn reconcile before the birth?

Despite their heated argument about the basement and friendship rift, Eden and Dawn reunited at the hospital. With the help of their doula Dragana, they managed to reconcile and support each other through Eden's labor, ultimately welcoming Eden's baby girl Claudette together.

  • reconciliation
  • hospital
  • Claudette
  • birth
  • Dragana
Q10

Why did Dawn decide to move back to Astoria?

At the next Thanksgiving, Dawn shared her decision to move back to Astoria, which was just blocks away from Eden. This choice ensured that despite the challenges they'd faced, including postpartum struggles, friendship rifts, and life changes, their bond would remain strong and their connection unbroken.

  • Dawn
  • Astoria
  • move
  • friendship
  • proximity
Q11

Why did Eden name her daughter Claudette?

Eden named her daughter Claudette in honor of Claude, the actor she met on the subway who tragically died from choking. The name serves as a meaningful tribute to the connection she lost, and she introduces her daughter to his memory at the next Thanksgiving.

  • Claudette
  • name
  • Claude
  • tribute
  • daughter

Movie threads

More Movies Like Babes, by Mood & Story

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

Candid Female Friendship Comedies like Babes

Heartwarming and chaotic comedies celebrating the unbreakable bond between best friends. If you liked the honest and supportive friendship between Eden and Dawn in Babes, you'll enjoy these movies. This thread gathers comedies that celebrate the heartwarming, chaotic, and resilient bonds between women facing life's ups and downs together.

  • supportive
  • candid
  • heartwarming
  • resilient
  • chaotic
  • realistic
  • Tone: hopeful, heartwarming
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow a pair or group of close female friends as they confront a significant life event or personal challenge. The narrative focuses on their interactions, arguments, and unwavering support, with the friendship itself being the central relationship that drives growth and resolution.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on authentic female camaraderie, a mix of sharp humor and heartfelt emotion, and a tone that is ultimately hopeful and supportive, even when tackling difficult subjects.

Movies about Life-Altering Pregnancy Journeys like Babes

Stories where an unexpected pregnancy becomes a catalyst for profound personal growth. Fans of Babes who enjoyed its honest take on the chaos and joy of unexpected motherhood will find similar stories here. These movies explore pregnancy not just as a plot point, but as a transformative journey of self-discovery and connection.

  • heartwarming
  • chaotic
  • realistic
  • resilient
  • candid
  • transformative
  • Tone: hopeful, candid
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist facing an unplanned pregnancy, leading to a period of initial overwhelm and chaos. The journey explores the physical, emotional, and social challenges, culminating in a new understanding of self, often strengthened by a key supportive relationship.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their focus on pregnancy as a central transformative event. They share a mix of humor and emotional weight, a steady pacing that follows the progression of the pregnancy, and an ending that feels hopeful and earned.

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Movies Like Babes

Similar movies to Babes: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Babes (2024) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Babes 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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