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Plot Summary

This Is 40 (2012) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2012 · 134 min · English
Directed by
Judd Apatow
Starring
Melissa McCarthy, Megan Fox, John Lithgow, Albert Brooks, Paul Rudd, Jason Segel
Budget
$35M

Approaching his fortieth birthday, Pete faces a cascade of family and personal challenges. His marriage to Debbie is tested by the demands of parenthood, career anxieties, and the realities of aging. As they navigate these difficulties, Pete and Debbie must also confront their own evolving identities and desires. The film explores their journey to reconnect and rediscover the passion that first brought them together, while confronting the pressures of middle age.

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 This Is 40
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch This Is 40 (2012)

Where can you watch This Is 40? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in This Is 40: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of This Is 40 (2012) 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.

The film kicks off with Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) engaging in a rather intimate moment in the shower. However, when Pete admits to taking a Viagra pill given to him by his friend Barry (played by Rob Smigel), Debbie's anger flares and their romantic moment quickly dissipates. The underlying tension is further heightened as Debbie grapples with the reality of turning 40.

Fast forward five years since the events of Knocked Up, Debbie is now the proud owner of a boutique store managed by Desi (Megan Fox) and Jodi (Charlyne Yi), while Pete runs his own record label, struggling to stay afloat alongside friends Ronnie (Chris O'Dowd) and Cat (Lena Dunham). Their relationship faces additional challenges as they navigate parenting their two daughters, Sadie (now 13) and Charlotte (8 years old). In an effort to celebrate Debbie's birthday, the couple embarks on a romantic getaway, where they find themselves indulging in marijuana cookies and whimsically hypothesizing about what it would take to eliminate one another.

After a candid discussion with her friends Jason (Jason Segel) and Barb (Annie Mumolo), Debbie resolves to enhance her marriage and strengthen family bonds through exercise and communication with her parents. She confronts Pete about the financial strain caused by his repeated monetary assistance to his deadbeat father, Larry (Albert Brooks). Despite her concerns, Pete visits Larry but ends up caving and giving him more money.

In a surprising twist, during a visit to her gynecologist ([Tim Bagley]), Debbie discovers that she is pregnant but chooses to keep this news from Pete. Tensions rise further when Debbie confronts a school bully, Joseph (Ryan Lee), leading to an altercation with his mother, Catherine (Melissa McCarthy). In a meeting with the principal, they both feign ignorance about the previous incidents, which leads to a surprisingly mutual understanding.

One night, while out dancing with Desi, Debbie confronts her suspicions of embezzlement, only to discover that Desi’s lavish lifestyle is the result of her being an escort. Meanwhile, conflicts escalate at home as Sadie and Charlotte's constant bickering spills over into arguments between Pete and Debbie.

On Pete's 40th birthday, a heated argument ensues between him and Larry over finances, while Debbie faces off with her father, Oliver (John Lithgow), regarding his absence in her life. Their confrontation reveals that he has always cared for her, despite differences in their perceptions of life’s perfection. Shortly after, Pete learns of Debbie's pregnancy and, in a fit of rage, storms out on his bicycle, which leads to an unfortunate accident. In the aftermath, both Debbie and Larry gain valuable insights from the ordeal, as Larry reassures her of her importance in holding the family together.

Eventually, Pete approaches Debbie to share his genuine excitement about their third child. Reconciliation follows, paving the way for a fresh start. The story concludes with the couple attending a small concert where Debbie encourages Pete to consider signing Ryan Adams and take the initiative to speak with him about a potential deal.

As the credits roll, viewers are treated to a humorous extended scene where Catherine skillfully improvises witty insults during a meeting with Debbie, Pete, and the principal, leaving a lasting impression of laughter and spontaneity.

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 03:16

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Plot questions answered

This Is 40 Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about This Is 40 (2012): 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 does Debbie get upset about the Viagra pill?

Debbie becomes angry because Pete admits to taking a Viagra pill that was given to him by his friend Barry. This revelation shocks her and makes her question their intimacy, especially as she's already anxious about turning 40 and feeling insecure about aging.

  • viagra
  • pete
  • debbie
  • marriage
  • intimacy
Q2

Why does Pete keep giving money to his deadbeat father Larry?

Pete continues giving money to Larry because despite his father's unreliability, Pete cannot bring himself to refuse his father help. This creates tension with Debbie, who sees it as a financial drain on their family, but Pete feels obligated as Larry's son.

  • pete
  • larry
  • father
  • money
  • financial support
Q3

Why does Debbie hide her pregnancy from Pete?

Debbie keeps her pregnancy hidden because their relationship is already strained with financial problems, parenting challenges, and marital tension. She fears adding another child to their struggling marriage will only worsen things, especially since Pete is already stressed about turning 40 and his business failing.

  • pregnancy
  • debbie
  • pete
  • hidden
  • secret
Q4

What is Desi's secret job at the boutique?

Desi works as an escort, which is why she can afford such an extravagant lifestyle despite working at Debbie's small boutique. Debbie discovers this when she confronts Desi about suspected embezzlement, shattering her trust in her employee.

  • desi
  • escort
  • boutique
  • secret
  • money
Q5

Why does Pete crash his bike after learning about the pregnancy?

Pete crashes his bicycle because he storms out in a rage after discovering Debbie has been hiding her pregnancy from him. His impulsive emotional reaction leads to the accident, highlighting how poorly he handles the stress and unexpected news.

  • pete
  • bike
  • accident
  • pregnancy
  • rage
Q6

Why is Debbie angry at her father Oliver?

Debbie is angry at her father Oliver because he has been absent from her life, especially during her childhood and as she's faced growing older. On Pete's 40th birthday, she confronts him about this absence, and he reveals he always cared for her but had different perspectives on life perfection.

  • debbie
  • oliver
  • father
  • confrontation
  • absence
Q7

How do Pete and Debbie reconcile after their fight?

Pete and Debbie reconcile after the bicycle accident when Pete approaches her with genuine excitement about having a third child. This honest shift in attitude, combined with their post-accident reflections, allows them to move past their conflicts and start fresh.

  • reconciliation
  • pete
  • debbie
  • baby
  • marriage
Q8

Why does Debbie confront the school bully's mother?

Debbie confronts the school bully Joseph after he torments her daughter Charlotte. This leads to a heated argument with Joseph's mother Catherine at school. Later, at a principal's meeting, both women pretend not to know each other, which surprisingly leads to mutual understanding.

  • debbie
  • bully
  • school
  • catherine
  • confrontation
Q9

What happens at the concert at the end of the movie?

At the end of the movie, Pete and Debbie attend a small concert where Debbie encourages Pete to sign musician Ryan Adams to his record label. She pushes him to take initiative in his career again, signaling hope for their future and Pete's professional revival.

  • concert
  • ryan adams
  • pete
  • record label
  • ending
Q10

What happens during Pete and Debbie's birthday getaway?

During their romantic birthday getaway, Pete and Debbie eat marijuana cookies together. The experience leads them to jokingly discuss what it would take to kill each other, revealing the underlying resentment and humor in their strained marriage.

  • marijuana
  • cookies
  • getaway
  • birthday
  • joking

Movie threads

More Movies Like This Is 40, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes This Is 40 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Bittersweet marital comedies like This Is 40

Comedic yet heartfelt looks at long-term relationships tested by real life. If you enjoyed the candid look at marriage in This Is 40, you'll find similar stories here. These movies like This Is 40 blend relatable family humor with heartfelt drama, focusing on couples reconnecting amidst the pressures of midlife, parenthood, and fading passion.

  • heartfelt
  • relatable
  • frustrated
  • wry
  • candid
  • middle-aged angst
  • Tone: bittersweet, wry, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically center on an established couple facing a crisis point, often related to aging, career dissatisfaction, or family dynamics. The narrative follows their arguments, missteps, and moments of clarity as they work to rebuild their relationship, usually culminating in a hard-earned but hopeful reconciliation.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their unique tonal balance, using comedy to explore serious relational issues without diminishing their emotional weight. The shared focus on realistic, character-driven conflicts and a ultimately hopeful outlook creates a cohesive viewing experience.

Relatable midlife angst dramedies like This Is 40

Stories where the pressures of adulthood collide with fading youth. Find movies similar to This Is 40 that explore the funny and frustrating side of turning 40. These films focus on characters grappling with financial worries, parenting teens, and personal identity, offering a candid and often wry perspective on the midlife experience.

  • middle-aged angst
  • relatable
  • frustrated
  • candid
  • financial stress
  • parenting
  • Tone: candid, frustrated, wry
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows protagonists confronting their own aging and unmet expectations. Through a series of interconnected personal and professional setbacks, they are forced to reevaluate their lives, often leading to a humorous and poignant acceptance of their circumstances and a renewed appreciation for what they have.

Why they belong together: They share a specific thematic focus on the existential and practical crises of middle age, presented with a candid, relatable tone. The combination of medium emotional weight, steady pacing, and a bittersweet-but-hopeful resolution creates a distinct vibe that resonates with viewers experiencing similar life stages.

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Movies Like This Is 40

Similar movies to This Is 40: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

This Is 40 (2012) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about This Is 40 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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