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Sleeping with the Fishes (2013) movie poster

Timeline

Sleeping with the Fishes (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 95 mins · English
Directed by
Nicole Gomez Fisher
Starring
Gina Rodriguez, Michael Sirow, Ana Ortiz, Tibor Feldman, Melissa Navia, Steven Strait

Alexis Fish finds her life in shambles after her husband's death and his infidelity leaves her financially ruined and emotionally devastated. Returning to her Brooklyn hometown for her aunt’s funeral, she struggles to face her family and her controlling mother, who are unaware of her current hardships. Working as a phone sex operator, Alexis finds unexpected support from her eccentric sister Kayla and a budding romance, ultimately leading her on a journey of self-discovery and a chance to rebuild her future.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Sleeping with the Fishes (2013)

Where can you watch Sleeping with the Fishes? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Fawesome, Cineverse and Fandango at Home Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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12 events in order · contains spoilers

Sleeping with the Fishes Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Sleeping with the Fishes (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. Post-husband life and mounting debts

    Alexis Rodriguez Fish is left broke and heartbroken after the death of her husband. She balances humiliating odd jobs, including selling the walking meatball hero and working as a phone sex operator, just to stay afloat. The life she knew feels gone as she struggles to climb out of debt.

  2. Call home for distant aunt's funeral

    An unexpected call from her quirky sister Kayla pulls Alexis back to Brooklyn for a distant aunt's funeral. The prospect of returning home fills her with dread as she fears facing family with a life that's fallen apart. She worries they'll see her as a failure and won't understand her current troubles.

    When
    Funeral day (afternoon)
    Where
    Brooklyn, NY
  3. Homecoming and mother's questioning

    Back at the family home, Alexis is immediately confronted by her well-meaning mother about the choices she's made since her husband's death. The two clash as old pressures and expectations collide with Alexis's current reality. The tense exchange leaves her feeling exposed and more convinced that she is in a disaster she struggles to admit.

    Where
    Family home, Brooklyn, NY
  4. Reimmersion into Latin and Jewish roots

    Alexis is pulled into her Latin and Jewish roots, only to feel out of place amid a chorus of family traditions. The cultural mix underscores how far she has drifted from the life she once knew. The feeling of being a fish out of water mirrors her uneasy reentry into the family circle.

    Where
    Family home, Brooklyn, NY
  5. Kayla pushes for Bat Mitzvah planning

    Kayla pressures Alexis to reclaim her old career as a party planner by helping coordinate a superhero-themed Bat Mitzvah. She sees the project as Alexis's chance to regain purpose and stability. Alexis hesitates, but the idea takes root.

    Where
    Brooklyn, NY
  6. Father's encouragement

    Alexis hesitates to dive back into work, fearing a relapse into her old life. Her father offers warm words and practical support, suggesting the Bat Mitzvah project as a path forward. The pep talk plants a seed of possibility in Alexis.

    Where
    Family home
  7. Decision to take on the Bat Mitzvah project

    Moved by her father's support, Alexis decides to take on the Bat Mitzvah coordination. She recognizes the project as a chance to reconnect with family and redefine her future. The decision marks a pivot from despair to possibility.

    When
    Week of prep
    Where
    Brooklyn, NY
  8. Bat Mitzvah planning takes shape

    Alexis throws herself into planning, balancing chaotic family expectations with the superhero-themed event. She begins to rediscover her talent for bringing people together and gains a sense of control again. This project becomes a vehicle for personal growth.

    When
    During prep week
    Where
    Bat Mitzvah venue, Brooklyn, NY
  9. Romance blossoms with Dominic

    While coordinating the Bat Mitzvah, Alexis meets Dominic and a new romance blossoms. The relationship offers warmth and a glimpse of a brighter future. The couple's chemistry becomes a buoy amid family tensions.

    Where
    Bat Mitzvah venue
  10. Growing confidence and new direction

    As she gains confidence through her work and romance, Alexis starts letting go of her past. Her newfound sense of agency reshapes how she handles family dynamics. The future starts to feel within reach.

    Where
    Brooklyn, NY
  11. Family ties begin to heal

    The house that once bubbled with tension shows signs of healing as Alexis opens up and shares her vulnerabilities. Family members begin to see her in a new light. The shared experiences around the Bat Mitzvah bring them closer.

    Where
    Brooklyn, NY
  12. A hopeful new future

    Alexis realizes she can define her own future, embracing independence and a renewed sense of purpose. With Dominic by her side and stronger family bonds, she steps forward, leaving behind the life that held her back. The film closes on a note of hope and self-discovery.

    Where
    Brooklyn, NY

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:23

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Timeline questions answered

Sleeping with the Fishes Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

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

Q1

Why is Alexis struggling financially after her husband's death?

Alexis is left broke and heartbroken because her husband died and was unfaithful. The double betrayal leaves her financially ruined and emotionally devastated, forcing her to take humiliating odd jobs just to stay afloat.

  • finances
  • husband death
  • betrayal
  • debt
  • struggling
Q2

Why does Alexis dread returning to Brooklyn for the funeral?

Alexis fears returning home because she worries her family will see her as a failure. She's embarrassed that her life has fallen apart and doesn't want to face them with the truth about her current hardships.

  • family
  • Brooklyn
  • funeral
  • shame
  • embarrassment
Q3

Why does Kayla push Alexis to plan the Bat Mitzvah?

Kayla sees the superhero-themed Bat Mitzvah as a way to help Alexis reclaim her old career as a party planner and regain purpose. She believes the project can help Alexis get back on her feet and prove to herself she can still build something meaningful.

  • Kayla
  • Bat Mitzvah
  • party planner
  • purpose
  • job
Q4

How does planning the Bat Mitzvah help Alexis?

The Bat Mitzvah project becomes a turning point for Alexis, allowing her to rediscover her talent for bringing people together. As she throws herself into planning, she regains a sense of control and purpose that she lost after her husband's death.

  • Bat Mitzvah
  • planning
  • purpose
  • healing
  • confidence
Q5

Why does Alexis feel out of place with her family's traditions?

Alexis feels like a fish out of water because she has drifted far from her Latin and Jewish roots during her time away. Returning home, she's surrounded by traditions she once knew but now feels disconnected from, making her reentry into the family circle uncomfortable.

  • traditions
  • roots
  • Latin
  • Jewish
  • family culture
Q6

How does Alexis meet Dominic?

Alexis meets Dominic while coordinating the Bat Mitzvah at the venue. Their connection blossoms during the event planning process, offering her warmth and a glimpse of a brighter future as they bond over their shared experiences.

  • Dominic
  • romance
  • Bat Mitzvah
  • meeting
  • relationship
Q7

Why does Alexis's mother question her choices?

Estella, Alexis's mother, asks pointed questions about her daughter's present choices because she represents traditional family values and care. Her questioning, though uncomfortable, stems from love and concern about Alexis's direction in life.

  • mother
  • Estella
  • confrontation
  • expectations
  • family values
Q8

How does Alexis move from despair to hope?

Alexis transitions from despair to hope through a combination of factors: her father's encouragement, the purposeful work of planning the Bat Mitzvah, the support of her quirky sister Kayla, and the budding romance with Dominic. Each element helps her gradually reclaim her confidence and sense of self.

  • hope
  • healing
  • self-discovery
  • family support
  • new beginning
Q9

Why is the Bat Mitzvah themed around superheroes?

The Bat Mitzvah is designed with a superhero theme, blending comic-book whimsy with family tradition. This creative choice reflects the family's playful spirit while creating a memorable celebration that brings the community together.

  • superhero
  • Bat Mitzvah
  • theme
  • celebration
  • family
Q10

Why does Alexis eventually embrace her family traditions?

Through the process of planning the Bat Mitzvah and reconnecting with her family, Alexis realizes her heritage can be a source of strength rather than a burden. She learns to appreciate the blend of Latino and Jewish traditions as part of her identity that steadies her.

  • roots
  • identity
  • heritage
  • traditions
  • acceptance
Q11

Why doesn't Alexis ask her family for help sooner?

Alexis doesn't ask for help because pride and shame keep her from admitting her struggles. She fears being judged as a failure and worries her family won't understand the extent of her financial and emotional problems.

  • pride
  • shame
  • fear
  • family support
  • independence

Movie threads

More Movies Like Sleeping with the Fishes, by Mood & Story

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

Heartfelt Family Dramedies like Sleeping with the Fishes

Uplifting stories of starting over, anchored by the chaos and comfort of family. If you enjoyed the balance of family chaos and personal healing in 'Sleeping with the Fishes', you'll like these movies. They feature characters returning home to rebuild after a loss, blending heartfelt drama with comforting humor and ultimately uplifting conclusions.

  • heartfelt
  • hopeful
  • uplifting
  • warm
  • comforting
  • quirky
  • Tone: hopeful, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often returning to their hometown after a significant personal loss or failure. The central conflict involves navigating complex family dynamics while processing grief. The journey is one of self-discovery, where the character learns to accept support and finds strength in their roots, leading to a positive new beginning.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific emotional mix: they tackle heavy themes like grief or failure but do so with a warm, hopeful tone. The pacing is steady and character-driven, focusing on emotional growth within a family context, and they consistently deliver a comforting, uplifting feel.

Quirky Urban Rebuilding Stories like Sleeping with the Fishes

Charming city-set tales where community and romance help heal a broken heart. Find movies similar to 'Sleeping with the Fishes' that capture the vibe of rebuilding your life in a specific city neighborhood. These stories combine a strong sense of place with themes of grief, unexpected jobs, budding romance, and a supportive community for a warm, hopeful experience.

  • quirky
  • hopeful
  • warm
  • urban
  • community
  • romantic
  • Tone: hopeful, warm, quirky
  • Pacing: steady, observational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is set in a distinctive urban environment that influences the characters' lives. The protagonist is rebuilding from a low point, often financially and emotionally. The story unfolds through their interactions with a vibrant local community and a developing romance, using the city's energy as a backdrop for their gradual healing and reinvention.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that share a specific vibe defined by their setting and emotional arc. They feature a medium emotional weight balanced by a hopeful tone, a steady pace focused on daily life and connections, and a strong sense of place that contributes to the overall warm and comforting mood.

Every angle

Sleeping with the Fishes (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Sleeping with the Fishes 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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