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Timeline

Delivery Man (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 105 min · English
Directed by
Ken Scott
Starring
Jack Reynor, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Vince Vaughn
Budget
$26M

David Wozniak is a carefree deliveryman whose ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when he discovers he has over 500 children he never knew about. Facing the unexpected reality of his past, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery while also dealing with his girlfriend's surprise pregnancy. Navigating the complexities of fatherhood and relationships, David learns valuable lessons about family, responsibility, and the unpredictable nature of life.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Delivery Man
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Delivery Man (2013)

Where can you watch Delivery Man? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Delivery Man Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Delivery Man (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. David's Debt Crisis

    David Wozniak, a deliveryman, finds himself owing $80,000 to thugs after a failed investment in a company called NewTech, which later faced legal troubles. This situation leaves David feeling trapped and increasingly desperate as he tries to navigate the crisis without resorting to drastic measures.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Local Bar
  2. Strained Relationship with Emma

    David's girlfriend, Emma, is frustrated with him due to his frequent absences and lack of communication. As David continues to neglect their relationship amidst his troubles, tensions rise, putting their future together in jeopardy.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    David's Apartment
  3. The Shocking Revelation

    In a shocking twist, David learns from his lawyer, Mark, that he is the biological father of 533 children due to past sperm donations. This unexpected information sets off a chain of events, including a class action lawsuit from 142 of those children seeking to unmask the mystery figure known as 'Starbuck.'

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Law Office
  4. Meeting Brett

    Brett, David's lawyer and confidant, becomes an essential ally in navigating the lawsuit and its emotional implications. He presents David with profiles of the children involved, which ignites David's interest in their lives and well-being.

    When
    Shortly After Revelation
    Where
    Cafe
  5. Supporting Andrew

    David discovers that one of his biological children, Andrew Johansson, is blossoming in the world of basketball. Inspired by Andrew's success, David feels motivated to engage more deeply with his children and extend his support to help them achieve their dreams.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Basketball Court
  6. Helping Josh Avert Career Crisis

    David takes an active role in Josh's life, a budding actor who is struggling to find work. Despite Josh losing his bartending job, David encourages him to pursue his passion for acting, showcasing his commitment to being a father figure.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Josh's Apartment
  7. Supporting Kristen

    David makes a heartfelt decision to help Kristen, a girl dealing with substance abuse issues. He signs her release papers from the hospital, believing in her potential to overcome her challenges and regain control of her life.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Hospital
  8. Growing Family Connections

    As David's bond with his biological children deepens, he faces mixed reactions from Brett, who warns him about the potential complications of getting too involved in their lives. David often finds himself torn between his responsibilities and the desire to support his newfound family.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Brett's Office
  9. Viggo Learns the Truth

    Viggo, one of David's children, discovers his identity and begins to use this newfound connection to become closer to David. This revelation puts additional strain on David as the media begins to pay attention to the unprecedented idea of so many siblings meeting.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Local Park
  10. Confrontation with Thugs

    David faces a perilous encounter with the thugs demanding an increased sum of $100,000 to settle his debt. This confrontation serves as a wake-up call for David, highlighting the lengths he must go to secure his family's safety and well-being.

    When
    Present Day
    Where
    Abandoned Warehouse
  11. Suing the Sperm Bank

    With Brett's guidance, David decides to sue the sperm bank for their mistake in using his donations for so many clients. This bold move results in a significant victory, as David wins $200,000 while trying to maintain anonymity.

    When
    After Thug Confrontation
    Where
    Courtroom
  12. Coming to Terms

    David grapples with self-doubt while coming to terms with his expanding family. After much reflection, he decides to embrace his identity and acknowledges the importance of his new familial connections.

    When
    After Winning Lawsuit
    Where
    David's Apartment
  13. Public Disclosure

    In a moment of empowerment, David chooses to reveal his identity as 'Starbuck' to the world via Facebook. This decision signifies his acceptance of the complex family dynamics that have unfolded and his commitment to his biological children.

    When
    After Public Announcement
    Where
    Home Office
  14. Emma's Premature Labor

    As life takes another turn, David rushes to Emma's side when she goes into premature labor, showcasing his dedication to being a present partner and father. This chaotic moment emphasizes the urgency of their relationship amidst all their challenges.

    When
    During Labor
    Where
    Hospital
  15. A Proposal Amidst Chaos

    In a heartfelt scene, amidst the chaos at the hospital, David proposes to Emma while all his biological children gather to celebrate this new chapter in their lives. This moment signifies a turning point for David as he commits to both his relationship with Emma and his newfound family.

    When
    After Birth
    Where
    Hospital Room

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 11:31

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Timeline questions answered

Delivery Man Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why does David have 533 biological children?

David discovered that a fertility clinic accidentally used his sperm donations for multiple clients over a 20-year period. This mix-up, combined with the clinic's lack of proper controls, resulted in David becoming the biological father of 533 children. When 142 of these children filed a class action lawsuit seeking to unmask the donor known as "Starbuck," David learned the shocking truth from his lawyer.

  • starbuck
  • sperm bank
  • 533 children
  • class action lawsuit
  • fertility clinic
Q2

Why did 142 of David's children sue him?

The children wanted to discover the identity of their biological father. Since David's donations were made under the pseudonym "Starbuck," the lawsuit was filed to force the sperm bank to reveal his identity. This legal action is what ultimately prompted David to confront his unexpected paternal situation.

  • starbuck lawsuit
  • children sue
  • biological father
  • identity reveal
Q3

Why did David start meeting his biological children?

After receiving profiles of the children from his lawyer Brett, David became curious about their lives. His interest was sparked when he discovered one son, Andrew Johansson, was a rising basketball star. This motivated David to reach out and support other children, eventually becoming a father figure to several of them.

  • andrew johansson
  • brett lawyer
  • meeting children
  • father figure
Q4

How did David pay back the $80,000 he owed to thugs?

After confronting the thugs who raised the debt to $100,000, David decided to sue the sperm bank for their mistake in using his donations for so many clients. With Brett's help, David won a lawsuit against the sperm bank and received $200,000, which allowed him to pay off the debt while maintaining his anonymity.

  • thugs
  • debt
  • $80000
  • sperm bank lawsuit
  • $200000
Q5

Why was Emma upset with David throughout the movie?

Emma was frustrated because David frequently neglected their relationship, disappearing for days without communication. His involvement with his financial troubles and later his biological children took priority over their relationship, causing tension. However, David ultimately proved his commitment by rushing to her side during her premature labor and proposing.

  • emma
  • girlfriend
  • pregnancy
  • neglect
  • communication
Q6

Why was it problematic when Viggo learned David's identity?

When Viggo discovered that David was his biological father, he used this knowledge to spend more time with him, potentially manipulating the situation. This created complications because media attention was growing around the unprecedented number of siblings meeting, and David's anonymity was at risk of being exposed publicly.

  • viggo
  • anonymity
  • media exposure
  • manipulation
Q7

Why did David decide to reveal his identity on Facebook?

After coming to terms with his newfound family connections and overcoming his self-doubt, David chose to openly acknowledge his role as "Starbuck" to the world. This decision represented his acceptance of his complex family dynamics and his commitment to being present in his biological children's lives.

  • facebook
  • public disclosure
  • starbuck identity
  • acceptance
Q8

What caused Emma to go into premature labor?

The movie shows Emma going into premature labor, though the specific cause is not detailed in the summary. This event occurs after David has decided to reveal his identity and represents a turning point where David proves his commitment by rushing to be with her during the crisis.

  • emma
  • premature labor
  • hospital
  • birth
  • proposal
Q9

Why did David sign Kristen's release papers from the hospital?

David visited Kristen, one of his biological daughters who was struggling with substance abuse, at the hospital. Rather than allowing her to remain in the hospital system, he believed in her potential to overcome her challenges and took responsibility for her by signing her release papers, giving her a chance to take control of her own life.

  • kristen
  • substance abuse
  • hospital
  • release papers
  • redemption
Q10

How did David's relationship with his father Mikolaj change?

Throughout the movie, David's father Mikolaj held a low opinion of him, viewing him as inadequate. While the summary doesn't detail their specific reconciliation, David's transformation from a careless deliveryman into a responsible father and partner who faces his problems directly likely contributed to any changed perception, though the full extent of their reconciliation is not explicitly shown.

  • mikolaj
  • father
  • family
  • relationship
  • approval

Movie threads

More Movies Like Delivery Man, by Mood & Story

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

Feel-Good Self-Discovery Movies like Delivery Man

Heartwarming stories about finding purpose and connection through unexpected life changes. If you liked the heartwarming journey in Delivery Man, explore more movies about unexpected personal growth. These stories feature relatable characters who find purpose and happiness through surprising life events, blending comedy and drama for an uplifting experience.

  • feel-good
  • uplifting
  • heartwarming
  • redemption
  • hopeful
  • life-changing
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting, heartwarming
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves an initially flawed or aimless protagonist who is thrust into a new reality by an unforeseen event. This catalyst forces them to confront their shortcomings and grow, leading to a positive and rewarding personal transformation by the story's end.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared uplifting mood, focus on positive character arcs, and the heartwarming journey of self-improvement. They balance light drama with comedy, ensuring the experience remains hopeful and emotionally satisfying without becoming overly heavy.

Movies about Unconventional Families like Delivery Man

Comedic stories where messy, unexpected connections redefine the meaning of family. Fans of Delivery Man's theme of a sprawling, unexpected family will enjoy these movies. They explore the joys and challenges of found families, blending comedy and drama to show how the most meaningful connections can come from the most unlikely situations.

  • found family
  • comic
  • heartwarming
  • chaotic
  • responsibility
  • unexpected
  • Tone: heartwarming, comic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically begin with a solitary or disconnected individual who suddenly finds themselves responsible for, or connected to, a large and diverse group of people. The plot revolves around the protagonist learning to embrace this chaos, leading to a profound redefinition of what 'family' means.

Why they belong together: These films share a core theme of building family from unexpected circumstances. They balance comic situations arising from the premise with genuine emotional stakes about belonging and responsibility, creating a specific blend of humor and heartfelt drama.

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Movies Like Delivery Man

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Every angle

Delivery Man (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Delivery Man 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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