Fatherhood

Fatherhood

Year: 2021

Runtime: 109 min

Language: English

Director: Paul Weitz

Echo Score: 63
DramaComedy

In this poignant, hilarious, and emotionally charged true story, Kevin Hart shines as a devoted widower navigating the most daunting role of his life: single parenthood.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Fatherhood yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Fatherhood (2021)

Trace every key event in Fatherhood (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Tragic Loss

Matthew Logelin faces a devastating tragedy when his wife, Liz, passes away unexpectedly after giving birth to their daughter, Maddy. This unforeseen event thrusts him into the role of a single father, changing his life forever.

After early caesarean section delivery
2

Funeral Support

During Liz's funeral, Matt is surrounded by his close friends Jordan and Oscar, along with his mother Anna, and Liz's parents, Marion and Mike. The support from his loved ones highlights the depth of his loss and the challenges that lie ahead for him as a new parent.

At Liz's funeral
3

Struggling Alone

In the months following Liz's passing, Matt struggles with the overwhelming responsibility of caring for his infant daughter, Maddy. With both Anna and Liz's parents eventually leaving, he faces the daunting task of parenting alone, yet he remains determined to make it work.

Initial months after Liz's death
4

Maddy's School Journey

As the years pass, Maddy grows to around five years old and begins attending a private school. This marks a significant milestone in their lives, bringing new challenges for both Matt and Maddy as they navigate their new normal.

Maddy's first school year Private School
5

Meeting Swan

At a birthday party in the park, Matt meets a woman named Swan, introduced by his friends Oscar and Rose. Their connection blossoms as they spend time together, and soon, Matt introduces Swan to Maddy, creating a warm bond between them.

At Maddy's birthday party Park
6

Maddy's Confrontation

While at school, Maddy faces ridicule from her peers, leading her to confront a boy who has been teasing her about her outfit. This confrontation results in an injury that requires stitches, sending Matt into a panic as he rushes to the hospital to be by her side.

School and Hospital
7

Relationship Struggles

Following Maddy's injury, Matt feels overwhelmed with guilt for not being there for her and decides to end his budding relationship with Swan. He worries that he isn’t doing enough as a father, which causes him to reevaluate his priorities.

After Maddy's hospital visit
8

Job Opportunity in Croatia

Matt's boss, Howard, offers him a job opportunity in Croatia, leading him to make the difficult decision to send Maddy to stay with her grandparents. This choice is bittersweet as he faces the potential separation from his daughter.

When presented with job offer
9

Heartfelt Decision

While conversing with Maddy as she sleeps, Matt feels a surge of emotions regarding their possible separation. He grapples with feelings of inadequacy and ultimately chooses to return home, realizing he can't bear to be apart from her.

10

Life Changes

Matt is faced with a mixed bag of emotions when Howard suggests he take on his old role after his retirement. Although grateful for the position, he fears it could limit his time with Maddy as he juggles the responsibilities of being a single parent.

After Howard's retirement announcement
11

Finding Liz's Necklace

In a touching moment, Matt discovers Liz's necklace, which Maddy had longed for. This discovery sparks a wave of love and longing, urging him to abandon his trip and race back to Maddy, where their reunion brings joy.

Airport
12

Reunion with Maddy

Matt returns to Maddy, who greets him with a warm embrace. In an emotional moment, he presents her with the long-missed necklace, reinforcing their bond and his commitment as a father.

13

Emotional Farewell

As Matt bids farewell to Marion and Mike, emotions run high, especially for Marion, who reminisces about the happiness Matt brought to Liz's life. This farewell highlights the deep connections shared amidst their shared loss.

14

Apology to Swan

Matt and Maddy head to Swan’s place, where he offers a heartfelt apology for distancing himself. To his relief, Swan readily accepts, and they plan to enjoy ice cream together, marking the rekindling of their connection.

Swan's place
15

Supporting Maddy at School

In a lighthearted concluding scene, Matt shows up at Maddy's school wearing a skirt to support her during the introduction of a relaxed dress code. This gesture signifies his unwavering love and commitment to her happiness.

On the day of new dress code introduction School

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:22

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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.

Movies about solo parenthood like Fatherhood

Uplifting stories about single parents finding strength and rebuilding their lives.Explore films similar to Fatherhood that center on the struggles and rewards of raising a child alone. If you enjoyed the heartfelt journey of a dedicated single father, you'll find more emotionally supportive and uplifting stories about personal growth and family bonds.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically follow a linear path, beginning with a seismic life change (like the loss of a spouse) that thrusts a character into the sole caregiver role. The narrative focuses on their adaptation—the initial struggle, moments of failure and success, and the gradual building of a new, stable, and loving family unit, often culminating in a reaffirming, happy ending.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the deeply personal, character-driven arc of solo parenting. They share a medium emotional intensity, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a core tone of resilience and hope that triumphs over sadness.

Heartfelt dramedies like Fatherhood

Character-driven stories that blend heartfelt drama with gentle humor.Discover movies like Fatherhood that balance emotional themes with genuine comedy. If you appreciated the mix of humor and heartfelt drama in a story about overcoming loss and finding purpose, you'll enjoy these character-focused films with steady pacing and hopeful endings.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist facing a major personal challenge or loss. The story unfolds at a steady pace, allowing for both reflective, emotional moments and lighter, humorous interactions—often provided by a supporting cast—that relieve tension. The central journey is one of internal growth, leading to a satisfying, positive resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their specific tonal blend: a medium level of humor integrated into a dramatic framework without becoming overly silly or bleak. They share a straightforward narrative structure, a steady pacing that feels authentic to real-life progression, and a final feeling of optimistic closure.

Unlock the Full Story of Fatherhood

Don't stop at just watching — explore Fatherhood 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 Fatherhood is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Fatherhood Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Fatherhood, 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.

Fatherhood Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Fatherhood

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Fatherhood. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Fatherhood

Fatherhood Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Fatherhood 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.

Fatherhood Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Fatherhood

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Fatherhood: 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 Fatherhood

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