Expecting

Expecting

Year: 2013

Runtime: 88 min

Language: Spanish

After years of struggling with her desire to become a mother, Lizzie finds her life changing when her friend Andie unexpectedly becomes pregnant following a brief encounter. As Andie considers surrogacy, Lizzie is drawn into the situation, and the two women navigate the complexities of the arrangement. Their friendship is challenged as they grapple with questions of parenthood and what it truly means to build a family.

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Timeline & Setting – Expecting (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Expecting (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The story unfolds in modern times, with present-day fertility options and therapy culture shaping the characters’ decisions. The timeline moves from a late-night phone call to prenatal visits, therapy sessions, and a six-month post-birth period that tests family arrangements and loyalties.

Location

Palm Springs

The action centers around a Palm Springs weekend and the everyday life in a suburban home, including backyard gatherings and a hospital delivery. Key moments occur in Andie’s living situation with Lizzie and Peter, therapy offices, and Casey’s apartment, showing a mix of private home life and clinical spaces.

🏜 Desert setting 🏠 Suburban life

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:57

Main Characters – Expecting (2013)

Meet the key characters of Expecting (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Andie

Andie becomes pregnant after a one-night stand and chooses not to terminate, offering the baby to Lizzie and Peter. She moves in with the couple, testing the boundaries of their friendship and their ability to form a non-traditional family. Her journey centers on choosing motherhood while navigating vulnerability and the evolving dynamic with Lizzie and Peter.

👶 Pregnancy ❤️ Selflessness 🏡 Stability

Lizzie

A longtime friend whose life as a high school tutor is stable yet tested by Andie’s pregnancy and the couple’s evolving arrangement. She grapples with boundaries, loyalty, and her own desires for independence as the group navigates care for the baby. Her involvement deepens the drama and forces difficult choices.

👩‍🏫 Teacher ❤️ Loyal 🌱 Independent

Peter

A real estate agent who initially resists adopting Andie’s baby and later experiences the strain of managing finances and family dynamics. He struggles with commitment and ultimately moves out, prompting Lizzie and Andie to redefine their futures.

💼 Professional 💔 Strained relationships 🏡 Real estate

Casey

Peter’s brother, recently out of rehab and living with his brother at times. He complicates the dynamic with his need for space and his protective stance toward Andie’s baby. He forms a tentative bond with Andie amid rising family tensions.

🧠 Complex 🫂 Protective 🚧 Troubled

Dr. Grayson

The couples therapist whose sessions spark breakthroughs, especially when Lizzie feels cornered and storms out. Grayson’s approach frames the conflicts between desire, responsibility, and change.

🧑‍⚕️ Therapist 🗣️ Insightful 💡 Breakthrough

Joyce

The family dog who becomes a grounding presence amid the chaos, prompting searches and symbolizing domestic life as the characters navigate the baby’s arrival and the evolving household.

🐶 Dog 🏡 Domestic 🐾 Loyal

Gus

The baby boy who is central to the story, anchoring the drama and catalyzing a period of adjustment as the adults learn to co-parent and re-evaluate their priorities.

👶 Baby 🍼 New life 🧭 Center of the story

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:57

Major Themes – Expecting (2013)

Explore the central themes of Expecting (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👪 Family & Parenthood

The plot centers on forming a family through unconventional means: friends sharing parenting responsibilities, non-traditional household arrangements, and the evolving meaning of commitment. Each character confronts what it means to be a parent and who has a stake in the child’s future. Sacrifices, boundaries, and loyalty drive the evolving dynamics of this blended family.

🧬 Fertility

Fertility treatment and pregnancy force characters to confront hopes, fears, and the obligations involved in bringing a child into the world. Andie’s pregnancy triggers a chain of decisions about adoption, support, and who should be involved in raising the child. The narrative examines the emotional and practical demands of modern fertility journeys.

💬 Communication

Therapy sessions and private conversations reveal hidden tensions and unspoken expectations. Misunderstandings test friendships and partnerships, while moments of candor steer the group toward difficult but necessary decisions. Communication becomes the hinge on which relationships pivot.

🧠 Emotional Struggles

Characters navigate past traumas, addiction histories, and fears about commitment. Casey’s rehab background and Peter’s ambivalence about fatherhood highlight inner battles. Healing is portrayed as a non-linear process shaped by love, guilt, and personal growth.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:57

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Emotional Friendship Dramas Like Expecting

Stories where deep bonds are tested by life-altering decisions and emotional strain.If you liked Expecting, explore more movies about the delicate balance of friendship under pressure. This collection features character-driven stories where lifelong bonds are tested by complex life decisions, offering a similarly bittersweet and introspective viewing experience.

introspectiveanxiousmelancholichopefultensefragileemotionally charged

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a pair or group of friends navigating a single, life-changing event or arrangement. The central conflict arises from the emotional fallout of this decision, exploring themes of sacrifice, responsibility, and redefined love. The journey is often cyclical, moving from stability to crisis and ending with a nuanced, changed-but-enduring connection.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the emotional complexity of adult friendships. They share a bittersweet tone, medium emotional weight, and a character-driven pacing that allows deep exploration of interpersonal dynamics, making the viewing experience feel authentic and deeply human.

Movies About Modern Family Crises Like Expecting

Explorations of how families are built and tested by contemporary crises.Find films similar to Expecting that delve into the complexities of creating a family today. These stories often involve surrogacy, unconventional arrangements, or financial strain, capturing the same hopeful yet anxious vibe as characters navigate what family truly means.

anxioushopefultensefragilemelancholiccontemplativedramatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves ordinary people confronting the gap between their ideal of family and a complicated reality. External pressures like money, health, or societal expectations force characters to make difficult compromises. The plot unfolds through a series of emotionally significant conversations and events, leading to an ending that acknowledges the sacrifices made while finding hope in the new, imperfect family that emerges.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites films that tackle the theme of 'found family' or family creation under duress. They share a moderate complexity with interwoven subplots, a steady pacing that lets emotional moments land, and a central theme of parenthood or kinship that feels deeply personal and relevant.

Unlock the Full Story of Expecting

Don't stop at just watching — explore Expecting in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Expecting is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Expecting Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Expecting, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Expecting Summary

Expecting Timeline

Track the full timeline of Expecting with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Expecting Timeline

Expecting Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Expecting that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Expecting Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Expecting

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Expecting: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Expecting