Not Suitable For Children (2012) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Jonah learns from the sperm bank that he belongs to a small percentage of men whose sperm cannot be frozen due to biological complications. This complication forces him to pursue alternative options for fathering children before his cancer operation, which would likely render him infertile.

• sperm bank
• infertility
• testicular cancer
• biological complication

After being rejected by his ex-girlfriend Ava and by Becky, Jonah runs out of options. Stevie, his close friend and business partner, volunteers to help after seeing his desperation. She proposes a formal arrangement with a contract, offering to be his surrogate during her ovulation window.

• Stevie
• arrangement
• surrogate
• ovulation

Jonah pulls out not because he doesn't want a child, but because he suddenly realizes he is in love with Stevie. This moment forces him to confront his true feelings, leading him to abandon the attempt with Ava and pursue a genuine relationship with Stevie instead.

• Jonah
• Ava
• pull out
• love confession
• Stevie

On the fifth day of the planned ovulation window, Stevie gets her period, indicating the arrangement has failed for that cycle. This triggers her to express second thoughts about continuing, leading to a conflict with Jonah about whether to proceed further.

• Stevie
• period
• ovulation
• arrangement failed

Becky rejects Jonah's proposal for a casual arrangement because she insists they were never a couple, despite knowing him well. She is uncomfortable with the idea of being approached for this purpose and declines to participate.

• Becky
• rejection
• casual arrangement

After initially being disgusted by Jonah's request, Ava learns about his cancer diagnosis and arrives at the party offering to help. Her change of heart suggests she still cares for him despite their breakup, though her offer comes at a complicated moment.

• Ava
• change of mind
• cancer reveal

Jonah requests a three-week postponement of his tumor removal surgery to give himself time to find a solution for fathering children before becoming infertile. This delay reflects his desperation to preserve his chance at having a biological child.

• postpone surgery
• tumor removal
• fertility deadline

Stevie arrives at the hospital to support Jonah emotionally before his surgery. In a pivotal moment, she tells him she believes he would make a great father and suggests they could pursue sperm donation or adoption together, signaling their transition from friends to a couple.

• Stevie
• hospital
• operation
• father
• adoption

The party business that Jonah, Stevie, and Gus run becomes an important subplot showing their transition from party hosts to entrepreneurs. Their first major event earns over $700, validating their idea and providing a hopeful outlook for their future beyond Jonah's health crisis.

• party business
• Gus
• Stevie
• entrepreneurship

When Ava arrives at the party, she is initially upset with Jonah for not disclosing his cancer diagnosis. This reveals that she genuinely cares about him despite their breakup, and her anger stems from feeling excluded from something serious affecting someone she still cares about.

• Ava
• cancer secret
• emotional connection

Stevie writes a detailed contract outlining the terms of their arrangement, including a four-day ovulation window. This formal approach reflects her practical nature and attempt to maintain emotional distance, though the document also signals her growing investment in the situation.

• Stevie
• contract
• formal agreement
• ovulation window

Jonah and Stevie buy a syringe to facilitate artificial insemination at the motel, but an accident destroys it. This forces them to improvise and continue with natural intercourse instead, which ultimately leads to a more intimate situation between them.

• syringe
• insemination
• motel
• accident