What's the Worst That Could Happen?

What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Year: 2001

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Director: Sam Weisman

Budget: $60M

ComedyCrime

A ruthless entrepreneur, Max Fairbanks, and a charming thief, Kevin Caffrey, find their lives unexpectedly intertwined, leading to a series of comedic misadventures. Their differing personalities and ambitions clash as they navigate a chaotic situation, resulting in a battle of wits and egos where the stakes keep rising with each unexpected turn.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen What's the Worst That Could Happen? yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001)

Trace every key event in What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Kevin Meets Amber

Kevin Caffery, a suave thief, returns a stolen painting to Amber Belhaven's hotel room. During this encounter, he forthrightly shares his criminal background, surprising Amber but ultimately charming her.

Hotel Room
2

A Growing Romance

As Kevin and Amber's relationship blossoms, Amber offers Kevin her father's lucky ring as a token of affection. This gesture indicates the deepening trust and emotional bond they are forming amidst his elusive criminal life.

3

Max's Financial Troubles

Max Fairbanks, a flamboyant businessman, remains oblivious to his financial collapse. His lawyer, Walter Greenbaum, implores him to take action, yet Max indulges further in his extravagant lifestyle, risking everything.

4

The Plot Thickens

Kevin discovers Max's financial woes through an acquaintance named Berger and formulates a plan to rob Max's opulent beach house. The stakes heighten as Kevin prepares to execute his heist.

Max's Beach House
5

The Heist Goes Wrong

During the robbery, Kevin and Berger are caught in the act by Max, who recognizes Amber's stolen ring on Kevin's finger. This confrontation triggers a chaotic escape, as tensions escalate.

Max's Beach House
6

Walter's Warning

Walter warns Max about the repercussions of his bankruptcy violations, informing him of the ban from his summer getaway. Max remains skeptical and clings to the belief that the lucky ring will turn his fortunes around.

7

Seeking Expertise

In an attempt to orchestrate their scheme more effectively, Kevin and Berger bring in a skilled hacker named Shelly Nix. Shelly's expertise will be crucial for tracing Max's digital movements and planning their next move.

8

Max Consults Gloria

On a flight, Max meets with his psychic associate, Gloria, who shares unsettling insights about the ring's significance. Her cryptic messages leave Max distressed, reflecting the mounting pressure of his circumstances.

Airplane
9

Auction Set in Motion

Faced with looming bankruptcy, Max is ordered by a judge to auction his summer residence. The stakes are raised, setting the stage for a confrontational showdown as the criminals gear up for their plan.

Court
10

Women Unite

As tensions flare, Lutetia confronts Amber for wearing stolen jewelry, leading to an unexpected alliance between the two women. Their shared struggle against Max's deception catalyzes a collaborative plot against him.

11

Gloria Cuts Ties

Increasingly uneasy about Max’s erratic behavior and their partnership, Gloria decides to sever ties. She delivers critical documents to Detective Tardio, triggering repercussions that will unfold in the upcoming chaos.

12

The Bankruptcy Auction

At the auction, Lutetia sends a masseuse to distract Max while the criminals execute a previously devised distraction technique. Smoke bombs and fake videos create confusion, leading to chaotic theft attempts.

Auction House
13

A Sinking Confrontation

Amidst the commotion, Kevin confronts Max on a sinking boat, where Max discovers that the coveted ring is merely a fake. As chaos reigns, Detective Tardio arrives just in time, complicating Kevin's escape.

Sinking Vessel
14

Amber's Final Advisory

After the tumult, Amber re-emerges as the mastermind behind the heist, disguised as a masseuse. She advises Kevin to abandon the cursed ring, which is purported to bring misfortune, prompting him to discard it into the ocean.

Ocean
15

Kevin's Grand Deception

In a climactic move, Kevin pretends to be Max's lawyer during a Senate hearing, crafting a manipulative narrative that ensures a favorable outcome for Max. He revels in his triumph, leaving with one of Max's prized watches.

Senate Hearing

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:46

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Fast-paced rivalry comedies like What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Energetic stories where two opposing personalities engage in a chaotic game of one-upmanship.If you enjoyed the chaotic battle of wits between Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito in What's the Worst That Could Happen?, you'll love these movies. This section features similar comedies where charismatic rivals engage in escalating pranks and schemes, all delivered with a fast pace and lighthearted tone.

comedicmischievousenergeticplayfuldeviouschaoticsatiricallighthearted

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a personal slight or conflict that sparks a feud. The story unfolds through a series of escalating retaliations, with each character trying to outsmart the other. The structure is built on comedic set pieces and confrontations, leading to a final showdown where the underdog usually wins through cleverness, often with a happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core dynamic: a charismatic duo in opposition, a fast-paced sequence of comedic confrontations, and a focus on witty banter and clever antics over serious stakes. The unifying elements are the light tone, high humor score, and the enjoyable spectacle of a personal war fought with pranks instead of violence.

Charming criminal caper comedies similar to What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Lighthearted heist stories where likable rogues pull off absurd capers with playful energy.Fans of the playful heists and charming criminal antics in What's the Worst That Could Happen? will enjoy these movies. Discover similar stories featuring likable rogues, absurd capers, and a lighthearted take on crime, where the fun is in the chase and the clever deception.

heistplayfulcleverabsurdcharismaticmisadventuredeceptivefun

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a charismatic criminal or team as they plan and execute a caper, often targeting an arrogant or unlikable figure. The plot is driven by a cat-and-mouse game with authorities or a rival, but the stakes remain comically low. Unexpected twists and humorous failures add to the chaos, leading to an ending where the protagonist's wit and charm ultimately prevail.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of treating crime as a source of comedic entertainment. They share a light emotional weight, a fast pace to keep the caper energetic, and a central character who is a clever, if sometimes foolish, rogue. The experience is unified by a mood of mischievous fun rather than criminal tension.

Unlock the Full Story of What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Don't stop at just watching — explore What's the Worst That Could Happen? in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what What's the Worst That Could Happen? is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? Summary

Read a complete plot summary of What's the Worst That Could Happen?, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape What's the Worst That Could Happen?. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in What's the Worst That Could Happen?

What's the Worst That Could Happen? Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of What's the Worst That Could Happen? that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? Spoiler-Free Summary

More About What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about What's the Worst That Could Happen?: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Similar Movies to What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Discover movies like What's the Worst That Could Happen? that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.