The Pill (2011) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Fred assumes Mindy is on the pill because she tells him there's no need for a condom during their 4 a.m. encounter. Her casual confidence about not needing protection leads him to believe she's using another form of birth control. This assumption fuels his panic the next day when he learns she isn't on any contraceptive.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Mindy plays a game of Never Have I Ever and drinks deeply, establishing her as impulsive and not overly cautious about consequences.

• fred
• mindy
• birth control
• pill
• assumption
• unprotected sex

Mindy agrees to take the morning-after pill reluctantly because Fred strongly urges her to, emphasizing the seriousness of an unplanned pregnancy. Though her Catholic faith makes her uncomfortable with the decision, the immediate practical reality of potentially becoming pregnant outweighs her religious objections in that moment.

• morning-after pill
• catholic
• mindy
• religion
• unplanned pregnancy

Mindy breaks up with Fred after discovering Nelly's text messages on his phone while he sleeps. Finding evidence that Fred has a live-in girlfriend angers and humiliates her, making her realize she was unknowingly involved with someone already in a relationship. She takes the second pill and ends things, deciding she won't be the other woman.

Foreshadowing: Fred's guilt about his existing girlfriend was visible earlier when he noticed a used condom in the trash and considered leaving.

• mindy
• fred
• nelly
• breakup
• text messages
• second pill

Fred stays with Nelly partly out of habit and comfort, but the relationship is clearly unbalanced. Nelly is controlling and pushy, insisting on getting a cat despite Fred's allergies and scolding him frequently. Fred lacks the assertiveness to leave until he experiences genuine connection with Mindy, which gives him the clarity and courage to finally end things.

• fred
• nelly
• controlling relationship
• girlfriend
• break up

Jim serves as a mirror for Fred's situation. When Fred helps Mindy retrieve her things from her old apartment, Jim reveals his heartbreak over their breakup. Mindy explains she ended things because Jim was suffocating. This encounter prompts Fred to question whether Mindy gives up on relationships too easily, which tests Mindy and reveals more about her relationship patterns.

• mindy
• jim
• ex boyfriend
• relationship pattern
• heartbreak

Fred's decision to leave Nelly builds gradually. After spending the day with Mindy and experiencing a genuine, unguarded connection, Fred returns home to Nelly's continued controlling behavior and pressure. The contrast between Nelly's pushiness and the warmth he felt with Mindy becomes undeniable. When Nelly demands even more control, Fred finally stands up for himself and ends the relationship.

• fred
• nelly
• break up
• controlling
• final decision

At the pharmacy, the pharmacist explains that the morning-after pill requires two pills taken 12 hours apart. Mindy takes the first pill while Fred is present, but he gets busy and loses track of time. Realizing he needs to ensure she takes the second pill on schedule, Fred rushes to catch up and spends the entire day with her to make sure the timing works correctly.

• pharmacy
• morning-after pill
• two pills
• 12 hours
• timing

Mindy invites Fred to her sister's birthday party in the suburbs as a test of their relationship. When Fred questions whether she gave up on her ex Jim too quickly, she initially reacts by telling him to leave, but then decides he's worth testing. By bringing him to meet her family, she gauges whether he's willing to commit despite the complicated circumstances.

• mindy
• fred
• birthday party
• family
• suburbs
• test relationship

The ending suggests Fred and Mindy might have a future together, though it's cautiously hopeful. Five weeks later, Fred has finished writing his novel, representing his personal growth and pursuing his dreams. When they cross paths again, there's a sense of possibility and a clean slate. The film ends on a note of redefined priorities, with both characters seemingly ready to start anew without the complications that previously held them back.

• ending
• fred
• mindy
• new start
• novel
• five weeks later
• hopeful

Fred pushes hard for the morning-after pill because he panics upon learning Mindy isn't on any birth control after they had unprotected sex. The possibility of an unplanned pregnancy terrifies him, especially given his already complicated situation with his live-in girlfriend Nelly. His urgency reflects both genuine concern for the consequence and his desire to avoid adding another major problem to his life.

• fred
• mindy
• morning-after pill
• panic
• unprotected sex
• pregnancy