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Plot Summary

What If (2014) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 98 min · Hebrew
Directed by
Michael Dowse
Starring
Adam Driver, Daniel Radcliffe, Mackenzie Davis, Rafe Spall, Zoe Kazan, Tommie-Amber Pirie

Wallace, adrift in the challenges of single life, forges an unexpected and comforting friendship with Chantry, an animator content in her routine. As their bond deepens, they begin to wonder about a different path: what if the love they never acted upon had blossomed into something more? The film thoughtfully examines the nuances of friendship, unspoken desires, and the possibility of finding connection in unexpected places.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like What If
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch What If (2014)

Where can you watch What If? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Kanopy and YouTube Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in What If: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of What If (2014) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Wallace, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, finds himself in a stagnant life, dissatisfied with his dead-end job and living with his sister, Ellie, played by Jemima Rooper, and her son, Felix, whose character is brought to life by Lucius Hoyos. After a painful breakup that saw him drop out of medical school—prompted by the realization that his girlfriend was cheating on him with his anatomy teacher—Wallace has become a recluse, avoiding social interactions for the last couple of years.

His friend Allan, acted by Adam Driver, finally drags him to a party where boredom quickly sets in. In an attempt to amuse himself, Wallace starts arranging fridge magnets into whimsical phrases. During this amusing distraction, he encounters Chantry, portrayed by Zoe Kazan, and they strike up a conversation. Meanwhile, Allan begins flirting with Nicole, played by Mackenzie Davis.

After the party, Wallace walks Chantry home, only to discover that she is already in a relationship. Despite this, she gives him her phone number, but he hesitates to pursue anything further. His indecision fades after they unexpectedly meet again at a movie theater, leading to dinner together. As their friendship deepens, Wallace is introduced to Chantry’s long-term boyfriend, Ben, played by Rafe Spall, who works for the United Nations.

Their first encounter at Ben and Chantry’s home takes a chaotic turn when Wallace accidentally runs into his ex-girlfriend, which coincides with Ben’s hospitalization following a series of mishaps. As life unfolds, Ben is required to relocate to Dublin, leaving Chantry and Wallace to explore their growing connection on their own. During this period, Chantry’s sister, Dalia, attempts to come onto Wallace, but he refrains, fearing it could jeopardize his chance with Chantry. Unfortunately, Dalia only exacerbates tension between the two by speaking ill of Wallace to Chantry.

In a twist of fate, Allan marries Nicole, and they invite Wallace and Chantry to a night walk on the beach that culminates in mischief. They find themselves skinny dipping, only to have Allan and Nicole steal their clothes, forcing them to share a sleeping bag on the beach. Feeling awkward about the situation, they leave the beach in frustration the next day.

Chantry receives a job offer that requires her to travel to Taiwan, but the pressure of her faltering relationship with Ben leads her to visit him in Dublin. There, she realizes that his job demands will keep him away often, prompting the two to break up. Wallace, unable to suppress his feelings, decides to follow her there. However, upon his arrival, he faces Ben’s wrath and a surprise punch that sends him tumbling down the stairs. After checking his voicemail, Wallace learns that Chantry has returned to Toronto.

Their reunion is bittersweet, with Chantry reacting poorly upon discovering the extent of Wallace's feelings and the reason for his journey. In contemplating a return to medical school and seeking closure in his life, Wallace attends Chantry's farewell party where emotions come to a head during a heartbreaking goodbye. They finally confess their mutual feelings while sharing a Fool's Gold Sandwich, a lighthearted topic they previously bonded over.

The film concludes 18 months later, as Wallace and Chantry begin a new chapter together in Taiwan, where they plan to nurture both their relationship and Wallace’s medical training. The story wraps up with their return to Toronto, culminating in a joyful marriage.

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Plot questions answered

What If Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about What If (2014): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Wallace drop out of medical school?

Wallace dropped out of medical school after discovering that his girlfriend was cheating on him with his own Anatomy teacher. This painful betrayal sent him into a depression, causing him to abandon his studies and retreat from social life for two years.

  • wallace
  • medical school
  • dropped out
  • girlfriend
  • cheating
  • anatomy teacher
Q2

Why did Chantry give Wallace her number even though she had a boyfriend?

Despite being in a long-term relationship with Ben, Chantry felt an instant connection with Wallace during their conversation at the party. She gave him her number because she valued the unique bond they shared, though she wasn't ready to act on her feelings until her relationship with Ben became strained.

  • chantry
  • phone number
  • boyfriend
  • ben
  • attraction
  • connection
Q3

Why did Ben have to move to Dublin?

Ben worked for the United Nations, and his job required him to relocate to Dublin, Ireland. This separation created the opportunity for Chantry and Wallace to spend more time together and explore their growing feelings for each other.

  • ben
  • dublin
  • united nations
  • job
  • relocation
  • opportunity
Q4

Why did Chantry break up with Ben in Dublin?

When Chantry visited Ben in Dublin, she realized that his demanding UN job would keep him away frequently, leaving her feeling neglected and uncertain about their future together. This realization, combined with her developing feelings for Wallace, prompted her to end the relationship.

  • chantry
  • ben
  • breakup
  • dublin
  • relationship
  • work demands
Q5

Why did Wallace travel to Dublin?

Wallace decided to travel to Dublin because he could no longer suppress his feelings for Chantry. After she moved to Taiwan for a job opportunity and broke up with Ben, Wallace wanted to confess his love and be with her.

  • wallace
  • dublin
  • travel
  • confession
  • feelings
  • chantry
Q6

What happened when Wallace arrived in Dublin?

When Wallace arrived in Dublin, Ben was furious upon learning that Wallace had come to see Chantry. Ben punched Wallace, sending him tumbling After the alter down the stairs.cation, Wallace checked his voicemail and discovered that Chantry had already returned to Toronto.

  • wallace
  • dublin
  • ben
  • punched
  • fight
  • chantry returned
Q7

What is the Fool's Gold Sandwich and why is it important?

The Fool's Gold Sandwich is a lighthearted reference to a favorite meal that Wallace and Chantry bonded over during their friendship. At Chantry's farewell party, they finally confess their mutual feelings while reminiscing about this shared favorite, making it a symbolic moment in their relationship.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Wallace and Chantry bond over their shared love of the Fool's Gold Sandwich, foreshadowing its later significance during their confession.

  • fools gold sandwich
  • food
  • confession
  • memory
  • relationship
Q8

How did Wallace and Chantry finally get together?

After Wallace returned from his failed trip to Dublin, he attended Chantry's farewell party in Toronto. During their tearful goodbye, both finally confessed their mutual feelings for each other. Wallace also decided to return to medical school, showing his commitment to improving his life. Eighteen months later, they moved to Taiwan together where Wallace completed his medical training.

  • wallace
  • chantry
  • together
  • confession
  • love
  • medical school
Q9

Does Wallace go back to medical school?

Yes, Wallace decides to return to medical school. At Chantry's farewell party, while contemplating a return to medical training and seeking closure in his life, he confesses his feelings to Chantry. Eighteen months later, he is shown completing his medical training in Taiwan.

  • wallace
  • medical school
  • return
  • training
  • career
  • Taiwan
Q10

What happens at the end of the movie?

Eighteen months after their confession, Wallace and Chantry are living together in Taiwan where Wallace is completing his medical training. They eventually return to Toronto, where they celebrate their relationship and get married, signifying a new beginning for both of them.

  • ending
  • marriage
  • Taiwan
  • Toronto
  • wedding
  • happily ever after

Movie threads

More Movies Like What If, by Mood & Story

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

Bittersweet Friends-to-Lovers Movies like What If

Quietly awkward stories about unspoken love and the risk of changing a friendship. If you enjoyed the tender, awkward tension of What If, you'll find more movies like it here. This collection features romantic comedies and dramas where deep friendships are complicated by unspoken feelings, leading to a bittersweet but ultimately hopeful journey.

  • romantic
  • awkward
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • tender
  • reflective
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically follow a linear progression where two close friends grapple with growing romantic attraction. The central conflict is internal—the fear of confession and potential loss—leading to a period of emotional stagnation or separation before a climactic decision that often results in a happy, hard-won union.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on the 'will-they-won't-they' dynamic within an established friendship. They balance heartfelt humor with melancholic longing, feature a steady, character-driven pace, and deliver a satisfying emotional payoff rooted in real vulnerability.

Movies about Life Transitions like What If

Thoughtful stories about finding your way during periods of personal stagnation and new beginnings. For viewers who liked the reflective, character-driven vibe of What If, this list features similar movies about people navigating life's uncertainties. These stories explore themes of friendship, stagnation, and hopeful new beginnings with a gentle, steady pace.

  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • tender
  • contemplative
  • heartwarming
  • Tone: reflective, tender, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist feeling adrift, often meeting someone who helps them see new possibilities. The plot is less about external events and more about internal realizations and small, significant choices that lead toward a more authentic and fulfilling path.

Why they belong together: They share a medium emotional weight and a steady pacing that allows for character reflection. The core experience is one of empathetic observation, blending light humor with genuine sadness and a ultimately hopeful outlook on change and human connection.

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Movies Like What If

Similar movies to What If: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

What If (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about What If 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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