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Timeline

What Men Want (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 117 min · English
Echo score 55
JustWatch #11,019 9
Directed by
Adam Shankman, Nancy Meyers
Starring
Pete Davidson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kellan Lutz, Jason Jones, Josh Brener, Phoebe Robinson
Budget
$20M

Ali Davis is a successful sports agent frustrated by the obstacles she faces in a male-dominated field. After being denied a promotion, she mysteriously gains the ability to hear men's thoughts. Using this unexpected power, Ali attempts to gain a competitive edge in her career, maneuvering through the challenges of the business world while also dealing with the intricacies of her own relationships and understanding the complexities of masculinity.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like What Men Want
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch What Men Want (2019)

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

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

What Men Want Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of What Men Want (2019) 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. Early Morning Goals

    Ali Davis starts her day early, filled with ambition and determination. She is focused on securing clients and outshining her male colleagues at Summit Worldwide Management.

    When
    Morning
    Where
    Summit Worldwide Management
  2. A Chance Encounter

    While riding the elevator, Ali catches a glimpse of her attractive neighbor, Captain F*ktastic. She attempts to initiate a connection, but the interaction is brief.

    Where
    Elevator
  3. Promotion Aspirations

    Upon arriving at SWM, Ali learns about her boss Nick's decision to choose a new senior VP. She is frustrated after confronting him about her lack of promotion despite her hard work.

    Where
    SWM
  4. Striving for Change

    Ali's disappointment leads her to decide to sign rising basketball star Jamal Barry as a way to prove her capabilities. She is determined to earn the recognition she deserves.

    Where
    SWM
  5. Meeting Will

    At her father's boxing gym, Ali meets Will, a bartender she finds appealing. Their budding romance complicates when she discovers he has a child and a complicated history.

    Where
    Boxing Gym
  6. Conflict with Legends

    During negotiations with Jamal and his father, tensions arise with basketball legend Lisa Leslie. The confrontation adds to Ali's stress as she navigates her new client relationship.

    Where
    Negotiation Meeting
  7. A Hens Party Revelation

    At a hens party with friends, a psychic named Sister offers Ali strange advice involving a foul-smelling drink. This leads to an unexpected and chaotic night ahead.

    Where
    Hens Party
  8. A Wild Night Out

    After drinking too much at the party, Ali ends up in the hospital. She wakes up to realize she has gained the ability to hear men's thoughts, which leads to major changes in her life.

    Where
    Hospital
  9. Leveraging New Abilities

    With the power to hear men's thoughts, Ali navigates her career more strategically. She attends a poker night where she holds her own against prominent figures like Mark Cuban and Shaquille O'Neal.

    Where
    Poker Night
  10. Personal Setbacks

    Ali's personal life takes a hit as Joe discovers her unorthodox tactics. A wedding crashing incident leads her to lose control over her newfound abilities, straining her relationships.

    Where
    Wedding
  11. Seeking Forgiveness

    Realizing the need to mend relationships, Ali reaches out to her friends and Brandon. She learns the importance of truly listening and reconnecting with those she cares about.

    Where
    Various Locations
  12. The NBA Draft

    As the NBA drafts approach, Ali works to convince Jamal to stay with her. Her determination is a testament to her growth and commitment to her clients.

    Where
    NBA Draft Event
  13. Launching Her Agency

    Empowered by her journey, Ali decides to leave the boys' club and starts her own agency with Kevin as her partner. She promotes Brandon to agent, marking a new beginning.

    Where
    SWM or New Agency Office
  14. Celebration of Family

    Ali celebrates her romantic life by throwing a birthday party for Ben, complete with a promised race car cake. This marks a new chapter in her relationship with Will.

    Where
    Park
  15. Moving Forward Together

    The film concludes with Ali, Will, and Ben taking a joyful walk in the park. They discuss future plans, signifying Ali's journey towards empowerment and resilience.

    Where
    Park

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 16:55

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Timeline questions answered

What Men Want Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of What Men Want (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Ali denied a promotion at Summit Worldwide despite her hard work?

Ali was denied promotion because her boss Nick explained that she struggles to forge connections with the male staff. Despite her successful track record in securing clients, the male-dominated culture valued personal relationships within the boys' club more than pure performance metrics. This reflects the movie's commentary on gender discrimination in professional sports management.

  • promotion
  • gender discrimination
  • workplace
  • sports agent
  • Summit Worldwide
Q2

How does Ali gain the ability to hear men's thoughts?

After attending a hens party where a psychic named Sister gives her dubious advice involving a foul-smelling tea, Ali goes on a wild night out and ends up in the hospital. She wakes up with the supernatural ability to hear men's thoughts. The exact mechanism is mystical, the movie treats it as a whimsical, magical gift rather than explaining the science behind it.

  • psychic
  • supernatural ability
  • thoughts
  • hospital
  • magical gift
Q3

Why does Ali pretend to have a family life with Will and Ben?

Ali creates a façade of having a family with Will to maintain a polished image at work, believing it will help her fit in with the male executives who often discuss family matters. This deception stems from her desire to be accepted in the male-dominated workplace, though it ultimately creates complications in her genuine relationship with Will.

  • Will
  • Ben
  • deception
  • family
  • workplace relationships
Q4

What causes Ali to lose control of her ability at the wedding?

During a wedding crashing incident, Ali becomes overwhelmed by the chaotic thoughts of everyone around her. The combination of stress from Joe discovering her tactics and the overwhelming male thoughts in a crowded setting causes her ability to spiral out of control, leading to public embarrassment and straining her relationships further.

  • wedding
  • lose control
  • Joe
  • chaos
  • public embarrassment
Q5

Why does Ali decide to leave Summit Worldwide and start her own agency?

Ali decides to leave Summit Worldwide after realizing the boys' club environment will never truly accept her, despite her proven success. She chooses to forge her own path by launching her own agency, taking Kevin as a partner and elevating Brandon to agent. This represents her ultimate rejection of the discriminatory system and her empowerment on her own terms.

  • own agency
  • independence
  • career
  • empowerment
  • Summit Worldwide
Q6

Does Ali end up with Will in the end?

Yes, Ali ends up reconciling with Will. After learning to listen truly and mending their relationship, Will agrees to take things slow with Ali. The film concludes with Ali, Will, and Ben walking together in a park, discussing her future plans, indicating their romantic relationship is on the mend and heading toward a positive future.

  • Will
  • romance
  • relationship
  • ending
  • reconciliation
Q7

What happens with Jamal Barry - does he sign with Ali?

Ali works hard to convince Jamal Barry to stay in Atlanta, demonstrating her growth as an agent who genuinely cares about her clients. While the summary doesn't explicitly state the final signing outcome, her efforts and the resolution suggest she successfully retains Jamal as a client, which contributes to her professional success before launching her own agency.

  • Jamal Barry
  • basketball player
  • signing
  • client
  • NBA
Q8

What is the significance of the race car cake at Ben's birthday?

Ali promises Ben a race car cake for his birthday as part of her effort to connect with him and maintain her fake family façade. When she celebrates his actual birthday in the film's conclusion, she delivers on this promise, symbolizing her commitment to the genuine relationships she's built and her desire to make amends for past deceptions.

  • Ben
  • birthday
  • race car cake
  • promise
  • family
Q9

Why do Ali's friends forgive her after the wedding incident?

Ali's friends forgive her because she sincerely apologizes and demonstrates genuine change by learning to truly listen rather than using her ability to manipulate people. The movie emphasizes her growth in understanding the importance of authentic connections, which earns her friends' forgiveness and marks her character development arc.

  • friends
  • forgiveness
  • Mari
  • Olivia
  • Ciarra
  • apology
Q10

What kind of thoughts can Ali hear from men?

When Ali first gains the ability, she discovers that most of the men's thoughts she hears are inappropriate or reveal deep secrets. The thoughts range from inappropriate remarks about women to hidden business scheming and personal confessions. This revelation initially shocks her but also gives her insight into the true nature of the men around her in the male-dominated sports industry.

  • thoughts
  • inappropriate
  • secrets
  • men
  • revelation

Movie threads

More Movies Like What Men Want, by Mood & Story

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

Movies like What Men Want with supernatural career twists

Characters gain a magical advantage to conquer professional obstacles and find themselves. If you enjoyed the blend of workplace ambition and whimsical fantasy in What Men Want, you'll love these comedies. Discover movies where characters use a supernatural boost to navigate professional challenges, leading to funny chaos and personal empowerment.

  • empowering
  • sassy
  • energetic
  • whimsical
  • competitive
  • self-reflective
  • Tone: light, humorous, empowering
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist stuck in a competitive or unfair professional environment. A sudden, often whimsical, supernatural event grants them an edge. They initially use this power for personal gain, causing comedic complications, but eventually learn that true success comes from authenticity and integrity, not just the magical shortcut.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their unique mix of light fantasy, fast-paced workplace comedy, and a core theme of empowerment. They share a similar energetic and sassy tone, where the supernatural element serves as a catalyst for both laughs and meaningful character growth.

Romantic comedies about communication like What Men Want

Witty and energetic stories that explore modern relationships through a comedic lens. Fans of the witty banter and gender dynamics in What Men Want will enjoy these similar romantic comedies. These movies explore the complexities of modern relationships with a sassy, energetic vibe and a satisfying, happy ending.

  • romantic
  • sassy
  • energetic
  • frustrated
  • communication
  • empowering
  • Tone: light, romantic, sassy
  • Pacing: fast, dialogue-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story centers on a charismatic, often frustrated protagonist navigating the confusing world of dating and relationships. A central conflict or unique premise (like a supernatural ability) throws typical gender dynamics into sharp relief, forcing the characters to confront their assumptions. The plot moves quickly through misunderstandings and romantic tension towards a resolution that emphasizes honest communication and mutual respect.

Why they belong together: This thread groups movies that balance a central romantic plot with a sharp, comedic examination of gender roles and communication. They share a light emotional weight, fast pacing, and an overall feel-good, empowering vibe that makes them both funny and thoughtful.

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Movies Like What Men Want

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Every angle

What Men Want (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about What Men Want 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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