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The Matchbreaker (2016) movie poster

Timeline

The Matchbreaker (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 94 mins · English
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Directed by
Caleb Vetter
Starring
Ashley Shelton, Chris Massoglia, Ben Davies, Osric Chau, Victoria Jackson, Michael Joiner

An idealistic romantic finds himself unexpectedly employed as a matchbreaker after losing his job. Initially hired for a single assignment to end a relationship at the request of disapproving parents, his unusual service gains popularity. As he navigates a career of dismantling couples, he unexpectedly falls for one of his clients and must find a way to reconcile his secret profession with his own burgeoning feelings.

Romance Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Matchbreaker Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Matchbreaker (2016) 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. Ethan's obsession with Emily

    The film opens with Ethan narrating to his roommate about his long-lasting infatuation with Emily Atkins, a girl he's known since elementary school. This opening sets the tone for his actions and choices throughout the story. His quiet, persistent crush drives many of his decisions from the start.

    When
    Opening narration
    Where
    Ethan's apartment

  2. Mrs. Taylor assigns Ethan to break up Veronica's boyfriend

    Mrs. Taylor approaches Ethan with a tempting offer: break up her daughter's boyfriend in exchange for money. He completes the task and collects the payment, gaining a reputation for his unorthodox services. Veronica becomes enamored with him, fueling his reputation as a ‘match-breaker.’

    When
    Early scene
    Where
    Mrs. Taylor's home/office

  3. Veronica's obsession and new reputation

    Veronica's fixation on Ethan grows, and word of his services spreads among disapproving parents. Mrs. Taylor continues sending him to other families, expanding his uneasy but lucrative career. Ethan starts to feel the moral weight of his growing success.

    When
    Soon after
    Where
    Various households

  4. New client reveals daughter is Emily Atkins

    A new client arrives, revealing that her daughter is Emily Atkins—the very girl whose image Ethan has fixated on since childhood. He meets her at a jazzy venue where she sings by night, reigniting curiosity and old memories. He resolves to see her again at the art gallery where she works.

    When
    Sometime later
    Where
    Jazz venue

  5. Reencounter at Emily's workplace

    Ethan reconnects with Emily at the art gallery where she works, blending curiosity with lingering memories of their past. The renewed interaction begins to blur the line between obsession and genuine interest. Their dynamic shifts from distant fixation to a more personal connection.

    When
    Shortly after
    Where
    Emily's art gallery

  6. Mitchell and Tricia subplot begins

    Meanwhile, a pretentious, wealthy young man named Mitchell courts waitress Tricia, prompting his parents to hire Ethan to dismantle the couple. Ethan agrees and plans a double date, with Lexy posing as his girlfriend. The setup foreshadows a clash between manipulation and true compatibility.

    When
    Sometime after Emily's initial reencounter
    Where
    Jazz club / restaurant

  7. Double date scheme backfires

    Ethan and Lexy attend the double date with Mitchell and Tricia, aiming to push the couple apart. The plan backfires as Mitchell and Tricia demonstrate genuine chemistry and resilience. The failed manipulation deepens Ethan's awareness of the complexities of real relationships.

    When
    Around the date
    Where
    Double date location

  8. Ethan and Emily's growing bond

    Emily invites Ethan to a restaurant, and he learns she isn’t as flawless as her public image suggests. She feels unsettled about her relationship, complicating his feelings. Donna Taylor offers a reward for his help, but he declines, choosing to focus on his evolving bond with Emily.

    When
    After the double date
    Where
    Restaurant

  9. confession and mutual imperfections

    As they spend time together, Emily discovers that Ethan’s crush runs deeper than he admits, and he realizes that Emily’s flaws only draw him closer. Their connection grows more authentic as they navigate each other's imperfections. The relationship shifts from manipulation to genuine attraction.

    When
    During their time together
    Where
    Various

  10. Emily calls Ethan to help a friend; learns the truth about Tricia

    Emily receives a call from a friend in need and asks Ethan to come to her aid, revealing that Tricia is a confidante of Emily and that Tricia and Mitchell have already broken up. This insight begins to cement a more honest dynamic between Ethan and Emily. Ethan becomes more determined to protect their budding bond.

    When
    Following the restaurant
    Where
    Emily's circle

  11. Ethan rejects Veronica's arrangement

    Frustrated by Veronica’s persistent attention, Ethan tells her he has no interest in continuing the arrangement. He refuses the money and openly prioritizes his feelings for Emily. The moment signals a turning point in his professional and personal life.

    When
    Evening before the party
    Where
    Ethan's apartment

  12. Formal party confrontation

    At a formal party, Emily spots a check her mother made out to Ethan in her handbag. Sam warns that someone is moving in on Emily, and Veronica follows Ethan, leading to a public confrontation. Veronica unveils his reputation as a match-breaker, exposing how long she has stalked him.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Formal party

  13. Next-day repair and reconciliation

    The next day, Emily's mother explains that Ethan refused the check, and he commits to repairing the damage. He helps mend the broken connection between Mitchell and Tricia, even inviting Mitchell’s father to visit the jazz club that night where Emily is performing. Tricia tells Emily that Ethan’s intervention helped bring Mitchell back to her.

    When
    The next day
    Where
    Emily's mother's home / jazz club

  14. Six months later: a new chapter

    A montage shows Tricia and Mitchell engaged, signaling a reconciliation of the younger couple. Ethan has begun a genuine romantic relationship with Emily and has written a relationship guide, indicating a shift from manipulation to real connection. The story closes on a hopeful note for their future.

    When
    Six months later
    Where
    Montage

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:46

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Timeline questions answered

The Matchbreaker Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Matchbreaker (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Ethan agree to become a matchbreaker?

Ethan initially agrees to break up Veronica's boyfriend because Mrs. Taylor offers him money for the job. After completing the task, he discovers that Veronica has become enamored with him, which inadvertently builds his reputation as a 'match-breaker.' Other disapproving parents then begin hiring him for similar jobs, turning it into an unexpected career.

Foreshadowing: The opening narration establishes Ethan's tendency to pursue unattainable romantic interests, setting the stage for his questionable career choice.

  • matchbreaker job
  • ethan
  • veronica
  • mrs taylor
  • career
Q2

Why does Emily's mother hire Ethan to break up Emily's relationship?

Emily's mother Donna Taylor hires Ethan to break up Emily's relationship, though the exact reason isn't fully detailed in the summary. The irony is that Ethan has been obsessed with Emily since childhood, making this assignment deeply personal and uncomfortable for him.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes establish that Ethan has loved Emily since elementary school, making this coincidence both ironic and plot-significant.

  • emily mother
  • donna taylor
  • breakup
  • job assignment
Q3

What happens at the formal party confrontation?

At the formal party, Emily discovers a check from her mother made out to Ethan in her handbag. When Ethan arrives after being warned someone is trying to move in on Emily, Veronica follows him and publicly exposes his reputation as a match-breaker, revealing how long she has stalked him since their first encounter.

Foreshadowing: Veronica's earlier obsession with Ethan foreshadows her dramatic confrontation and refusal to let go.

  • party confrontation
  • veronica
  • exposure
  • check
Q4

How does Ethan fix things with Emily after the party?

After Emily's mother explains that Ethan refused the check intended to pay him for breaking up her relationship, Ethan works to repair the damage. He helps reconcile Mitchell and Tricia by inviting Mitchell's father to the jazz club where Emily performs. This act of kindness, combined with his genuine feelings, helps rebuild trust with Emily.

Foreshadowing: Ethan declining the check earlier signals his shift from manipulation to genuine care.

  • emily
  • reconciliation
  • mitchell
  • tricia
  • jazz club
Q5

Do Mitchell and Tricia get back together?

Yes, Mitchell and Tricia reconcile. Though they had broken up before the formal party (revealed when Emily calls Ethan to help a friend), Ethan helps bring them back together by inviting Mitchell's father to the jazz club where Tricia works. The six-month montage shows them engaged.

Foreshadowing: The failed double date earlier shows Mitchell and Tricia have genuine chemistry that withstands manipulation attempts.

  • mitchell
  • tricia
  • reconciliation
  • engaged
Q6

Why does Veronica expose Ethan at the party?

Veronica exposes Ethan because she has been obsessed with him since he broke up her boyfriend at the beginning of the film. When she sees her opportunity at the party, she publicly reveals his match-breaker identity to ruin his chances with Emily out of jealousy and spite.

Foreshadowing: Veronica's growing fixation on Ethan after their first encounter establishes her as a vengeful, obsessive character.

  • veronica
  • exposure
  • jealousy
  • matchbreaker identity
Q7

Why does Ethan decline Emily's mother's payment?

Ethan declines the payment because his feelings for Emily have become genuine rather than transactional. By this point in the story, he has developed a real romantic connection with her and no longer wants to profit from manipulating her relationships.

Foreshadowing: Ethan and Emily's growing bond throughout the film shifts his priorities from money to authentic connection.

  • payment declined
  • emily
  • feelings
  • moral change
Q8

How does Ethan reconnect with Emily after childhood?

Ethan reconnects with Emily when a new client reveals her daughter is Emily Atkins, the girl he's been obsessed with since elementary school. He meets her at the jazz venue where she sings by night, then follows up by visiting the art gallery where she works, reigniting their connection.

Foreshadowing: The opening narration establishes Ethan's long-standing obsession, making this reunion emotionally significant.

  • reconnect
  • emily
  • jazz club
  • art gallery
Q9

What happens to Ethan six months later?

Six months later, Ethan has transitioned from a matchbreaker to someone who has written a relationship guide. Most importantly, he is in a genuine romantic relationship with Emily, indicating his personal transformation from manipulation to authentic connection.

Foreshadowing: Ethan's journey throughout the film leads naturally to this redemption arc.

  • six months later
  • relationship guide
  • emily
  • new chapter

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Matchbreaker, by Mood & Story

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

Secret Identity Romances like The Matchbreaker

Stories where a hidden profession complicates a blossoming love. If you enjoyed the premise of The Matchbreaker, you'll like these movies where a character's secret job or identity creates humorous and heartfelt obstacles in their love life. These romantic comedies and dramas explore the challenges of falling for someone while hiding a crucial part of yourself.

  • romantic
  • secret-keeping
  • humorous
  • heartfelt
  • optimistic
  • charming
  • Tone: light, romantic, humorous
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist who, often for professional reasons, must conceal their true self from a love interest. The story builds on near-miss revelations and internal conflict, culminating in a moment of truth where honesty paves the way for a genuine connection and a happy resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share the core conflict of a secret identity impacting romance. They blend lighthearted humor with the sweet tension of a concealed truth, leading to feel-good endings where love triumphs over deception.

Can You Keep a Secret? movie poster

Can You Keep a Secret?

2008
The Secret of My Succe$s movie poster

The Secret of My Succe$s

1987
Can You Keep a Secret? movie poster

Can You Keep a Secret?

2019
The Romancing Star movie poster

The Romancing Star

1987
Head Over Heels movie poster

Head Over Heels

2001
Secret Admirer movie poster

Secret Admirer

1985
My Secret Santa movie poster

My Secret Santa

2025
The Matchbreaker movie poster

The Matchbreaker

2016

Feel-Good Romantic Journeys like The Matchbreaker

Hopeful and comforting stories about finding love and yourself. Fans of The Matchbreaker's hopeful and comforting vibe will enjoy these movies. They are lighthearted romantic stories centered on personal discovery and finding true love, perfect for when you want a heartfelt and optimistic escape with a guaranteed happy ending.

  • hopeful
  • lighthearted
  • comforting
  • quirky
  • feel-good
  • optimistic
  • Tone: hopeful, lighthearted, comforting
  • Pacing: steady, breezy
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The journey typically involves a protagonist at a personal or professional crossroads who learns important lessons about themselves through the process of falling in love. The central conflict is internal or situational, resolved through sincerity and personal growth, leading to a unequivocally happy conclusion for all involved.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their light emotional weight, steady pacing, and overwhelmingly positive tone. They deliver a comforting, hopeful experience where the focus is on charming characters, sweet romance, and the reassuring message that things work out for the best.

Non-Transferable movie poster

Non-Transferable

2017
On the Line movie poster

On the Line

2001
Finding Mr. Destiny movie poster

Finding Mr. Destiny

2010
The Holiday movie poster

The Holiday

2006
My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend movie poster

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

2010
Not Another Happy Ending movie poster

Not Another Happy Ending

2013
Ticket to Paradise movie poster

Ticket to Paradise

2022
This Happy Feeling movie poster

This Happy Feeling

1958

Every angle

The Matchbreaker (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Matchbreaker 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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