Overnight Delivery

Overnight Delivery

Year: 1998

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Jason Bloom

ComedyRomance

They have only 24 hours to intercept a package, avert disaster, and discover love along the way. A man, convinced his girlfriend is cheating, sends her a letter, only to learn he’s wrong. He must race against a delivery man who won’t stop until the parcel reaches its destination. A ticking clock and relentless courier ensure delivery at any cost.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Overnight Delivery (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Overnight Delivery (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

late 1990s

The events take place in a late 1990s setting, a time when long-distance relationships relied on phone calls, letters, and road trips. The backdrop features roadside diners, airports, and early digital communication, shaping the pace of Wyatt and Ivy's pursuit. The era's limitations drive the tension and humor of the chase.

Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Memphis, Tennessee, Des Moines, Iowa, St. Louis, Missouri

The story moves from a campus setting in Minneapolis through a cross-country chase that hits several midwestern and southern cities. It centers on a college student navigating a chaotic, relationship-driven crisis while using a delivery service as the conduit for the plot. The setting blends urban spaces with highway towns, framing the road movie atmosphere.

🏙️ urban landscape 🚗 road trip 🎭 comedy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:37

Main Characters – Overnight Delivery (1998)

Meet the key characters of Overnight Delivery (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Wyatt Trips (Paul Rudd)

Wyatt Trips is a Twin Cities College student whose long-distance relationship with Kim triggers a desperate, impulsive pursuit. After believing Kim is cheating, he sends a dramatic letter and a photo with Ivy, launching a chaotic chase for the overnight package. The journey forces him to confront his true priorities and, by the end, realize his love for Ivy.

💼 student 💘 romance 🚶‍♂️ pursuit

Ivy Miller (Reese Witherspoon)

Ivy Miller is a stripper Wyatt meets at a club after a night of drinking. She suggests a provocative way to break up, and then joins in the pursuit to retrieve the package. Through the road-tripping chaos, she becomes a catalyst for Wyatt's emotional awakening and a potential romance.

💃 dancer ❤️ romance 🎯 catalyst

Kimberly Jasney (Christine Taylor)

Kim Jasney is Wyatt's long-distance girlfriend, a student at the University of Memphis. She becomes the target of the misunderstanding about 'The Ricker', and the package Wyatt sends is meant for her. Her role is mainly as a catalyst for Wyatt's actions, and the ending reveals the truth about her relationship.

💡 college student 💔 heartbreak 🧭 catalyst

Hal Ipswich (Larry Drake)

Hal Ipswich is the deliveryman for Global Express who refuses to break the rules and suspects Wyatt of espionage. His stubborn adherence to protocol drives much of the obstacle-filled chase. The dynamics create tension and comic interplay in the pursuit.

🛡️ rule-follower 🔎 obstacle ⚠️ stubborn

The 'Ricker' (Matt Klemp)

The Ricker is the mysterious figure Wyatt believes is his girlfriend's other lover. The character's true identity ties to the locket clue, and the pursuit revolves around uncovering who this figure really is.

🕵️ mystery 🧩 clue 🪪 deception

John Dwayne Beezly (Tobin Bell)

John Dwayne Beezly is a serial killer Wyatt encounters as a flight passenger who takes him hostage. Wyatt somehow escapes and continues the chase, adding danger to the journey and escalating the stakes.

⚠️ danger 🚨 threat 🧭 escape

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:37

Major Themes – Overnight Delivery (1998)

Explore the central themes of Overnight Delivery (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Romance

Wyatt's heartbreak launches a journey that tests loyalty and honesty. He evolves from seeking revenge to recognizing genuine feelings for Ivy, showing how love can blossom from chaotic misreads. The road trip becomes a catalyst for emotional growth and a real connection.

🔎 Trust and Deception

Miscommunication drives the plot as suspicions of infidelity ignite a reckless quest. The pursuit rests on misreads and secrets, forcing characters to confront what they truly value. Truths eventually unfold, reshaping relationships.

🚗 Road Trip

The film unfolds as a travel-turned-morality tale, using a cross-country chase to explore character choices. Each stop exposes flaws and strengths, turning a delivery into a journey of self-discovery. The road becomes a playground for comedy, danger, and romance.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:37

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Frantic Race Movies like Overnight Delivery

Chaotic journeys propelled by a tight deadline and a singular goal.If you loved the high-stakes, 24-hour chase in Overnight Delivery, you'll enjoy these other movies built around a ticking clock. This list features fast-paced comedies, adventures, and thrillers where characters are racing against time to avert a disaster or achieve a goal.

franticchaoticurgentdeadlinerace against timenon-stopmischievoushigh-energy

Narrative Summary

The core narrative is a linear pursuit against a fixed deadline. The plot is driven by a series of escalating, often comedic, obstacles that the protagonists must overcome. The tension comes from the relentless passage of time and the increasing improbability of success.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared structure of a high-pressure deadline, fast pacing, and a sense of frantic, chaotic energy. They deliver an experience of constant motion and urgency, making the viewer feel the adrenaline of the race.

Road Trip Romantic Comedies like Overnight Delivery

A journey of romantic realization fueled by comedic misunderstandings and mishaps.Fans of Overnight Delivery's cross-country journey and romantic mix-ups will find more to love here. Discover similar movies that blend road trip adventures with romantic comedy, featuring couples who find each other amidst a series of hilarious errors and misadventures.

romanticcomicalroad tripmisunderstandingescapadeslightheartedjourneyfeel-good

Narrative Summary

The story begins with a rash decision based on a misunderstanding, forcing the characters on a physical journey that mirrors their emotional one. Through shared adversity and comedic setbacks, initial friction gives way to genuine connection, culminating in a happy romantic resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific formula: a road trip setting, a lighthearted tone, a central romantic arc sparked by a mistake, and a series of comedic events that bond the characters. They offer a fun, escapist blend of romance and adventure.

Unlock the Full Story of Overnight Delivery

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

Overnight Delivery Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Overnight Delivery, 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.

Overnight Delivery Summary

Overnight Delivery Timeline

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

Overnight Delivery Timeline

Overnight Delivery Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Overnight Delivery 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.

Overnight Delivery Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Overnight Delivery

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

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