The Ex (2007) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Tom was fired after defending his friend Paco during a workplace incident. This firing disrupted their financial stability and forced Tom to take a job in Ohio, which set the entire conflict with Chip in motion.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Tom's inability to keep a steady job establishes his character as impulsive and loyal to friends.

• tom fired
• paco
• manhattan
• job loss
• workplace incident

Chip is Sofia's ex-boyfriend from high school and is still obsessed with her. When Tom arrives at the ad agency, Chip sees him as a rival and uses his position to sabotage Tom's work life, hoping to drive a wedge between Tom and Sofia so he can win her back.

Foreshadowing: Chip's bitterness toward Tom is established early when he's described as strict and hard-working specifically toward Tom, while being cordial to others.

• chip
• tom
• rivalry
• sofia
• ex-boyfriend
• obsession

No, Chip is faking his paralysis. He can walk but only while in his wheelchair and cannot fight outside of it. The photo Tom finds of Chip playing tennis is actually Chip's late twin brother, which is why Tom's attempt to prove Chip was faking fails spectacularly.

Foreshadowing: Tom becomes suspicious of Chip's handicap after noticing inconsistencies in his behavior and decides to search his desk.

• chip paralyzed
• fake disability
• twin brother
• tennis photo
• deception

Chip has a twin brother who has died. The photo Tom finds showing Chip playing tennis is actually a picture of his late twin brother, which is why the photo exists and why Chip remains seated when Tom tries to force him to stand.

• twin brother
• photo
• chip family
• deceased brother

Tom dragged Chip up the stairs hoping to force him to stand and reveal his deception in front of Sofia and her parents. Tom believed that if Chip tried to avoid falling, he would instinctively stand up, proving he wasn't really paralyzed.

Foreshadowing: Tom's suspicion builds after finding the tennis photo in Chip's desk, leading him to rush to his in-laws' house with what he believes is conclusive evidence.

• tom vs chip
• stairs
• confrontation
• proof
• humiliation

Chip reveals that while he can walk, he cannot fight outside of his wheelchair. Once seated again, Chip brutally beats Tom while taunting him about Sofia, using his physical advantage while restrained in the chair.

Foreshadowing: Chip's mysterious physical limitations are hinted at when he refuses to leave his chair during the confrontation.

• chip beats tom
• fight
• wheelchair
• physical fight
• sofia

Chip receives a job offer from a Barcelona ad agency offering him the position of creative director. He asks Sofia to come with him as a final attempt to steal her away from Tom, promising her a life in Spain away from her current situation.

• barcelona
• chip
• sofia
• job offer
• creative director
• spain

When Chip says he 'faked his orgasm,' he's using a crude metaphor to tell Sofia that he was faking his affection and intentions the entire time. He's indicating that everything he told her about wanting her to come to Barcelona was a lie, just like his pretended orgasm reference, empty and insincere.

• faked orgasm
• chip
• insult
• metaphor
• barcelona offer

After storming out of the house and continuing to mock Tom and Sofia, Chip is hit by a bus. During the credits, he's shown in Barcelona still in a wheelchair with two broken legs, trying to work at the ad company, but he's tossed out. A friend later sees him on TV during the running of the bulls.

Foreshadowing: Chip's arrogance and continued mocking of the couple leads to his downfall as he walks into traffic without looking.

• chip hit by bus
• barcelona
• broken legs
• running of the bulls
• fate

By the end, Tom and Sofia have completely reversed their original dynamic. Sofia returns to practicing law full-time while Tom becomes a stay-at-home dad. Additionally, Sofia's father helps Tom start his own advertising business, giving him the success and stability he was seeking.

• tom stay at home dad
• sofia lawyer
• role reversal
• new business
• ad agency