The Matchbreaker 2016

Romance

Comedy

Runtime

94 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Caleb Vetter

Made by

STADIUM

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The Matchbreaker Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Matchbreaker (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

The film opens with Ethan Cooper Wesley Elder, a quiet clerk at a computer repair shop, narrating to his roommate Sam Osric Chau about his long-lasting infatuation with Emily Atkins Christina Grimmie, the girl he has known since elementary school.

One day, while visiting his sister Lexy Shawna Howson, a florist, Ethan is approached by Mrs. Taylor Victoria Jackson with a tempting assignment: break up her daughter Veronica’s boyfriend in exchange for money. He completes the task, but in doing so, Veronica becomes enamored with him instead. This unexpected turn of events makes Ethan a sought-after “match-breaker” in the eyes of disapproving parents, and Mrs. Taylor starts sending him to other families, which fuels his growing, if uneasy, success.

Sometime later, another dissatisfied parent comes calling. Ethan meets the client at a jazzy venue where she sings by night, only to discover that the daughter is Emily Atkins Christina Grimmie, the very girl he’s been obsessed with since childhood. Intrigued, Ethan resolves to see her again, this time at the art gallery where Emily works, and the two reencounter with a mix of curiosity and old memories.

Meanwhile, a pretentious, wealthy young man named Mitchell Olan Rogers takes a fancy to a waitress named Tricia Tessa Violet. His parents, wary of such a match, hire Ethan to dismantle the couple. Ethan agrees and even goes on a double date with Mitchell and Tricia, bringing Lexy along to pose as his girlfriend. They try to push the two apart, but the plan backfires as the couple proves resilient.

Afterwards, Emily invites Ethan to a restaurant, where he learns that she isn’t as flawless as he imagined and that she is quietly unsettled about her relationship. In a twist, Emily’s mother Donna Jennifer Mays offers Ethan a reward for his efforts, but he declines and instead focuses on the evolving dynamic with Emily. As they spend time together, Emily learns that Ethan’s crush on her runs deeper than a casual fixation, and Ethan discovers that she isn’t perfect, even if her imperfections still pull him in.

A new turn comes when Emily gets a call from a friend in need and asks Ethan to come to her aid. Through this connection, he learns that Tricia is a close confidante of Emily, and that Tricia and Mitchell have already broken up. Frustrated by Veronica’s persistent attention, Ethan decides to tell her he has no interest in continuing their arrangement.

The drama peaks at a formal party, where Emily spots a check her mother made out to Ethan tucked in her handbag. Ethan races to the party after a text from Sam warns that someone is trying to move in on Emily. Upon arriving, Emily confronts him about the check, and Ethan realizes Veronica has followed him. In a public confrontation, Veronica unveils Ethan’s reputation as a match-breaker, revealing how long she has stalked him since their first encounter.

The next day, Emily’s mother explains that Ethan refused to accept the check intended to dismantle the couple. Overcome with guilt but determined to repair the situation, Ethan helps mend the broken connection between Mitchell and Tricia, even inviting Mitchell’s father, a record producer, to visit the jazz club that night where Emily is performing. In a telling moment, Tricia tells Emily that Ethan’s intervention helped bring Mitchell back to her.

Six months pass in a montage that shows Tricia and Mitchell engaged and Ethan embarking on a new chapter: he has written a relationship guide and has begun a genuine romantic relationship with Emily, suggesting a new, more hopeful future for both of them.

The Matchbreaker Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Matchbreaker (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

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.

Opening narration Ethan's apartment

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.’

Early scene Mrs. Taylor's home/office

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.

Soon after Various households

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.

Sometime later Jazz venue

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.

Shortly after Emily's art gallery

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.

Sometime after Emily's initial reencounter Jazz club / restaurant

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.

Around the date Double date location

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.

After the double date Restaurant

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.

During their time together Various

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.

Following the restaurant Emily's circle

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.

Evening before the party Ethan's apartment

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.

Evening Formal party

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.

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

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.

Six months later Montage

The Matchbreaker Characters

Explore all characters from The Matchbreaker (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Ethan Cooper (Wesley Elder)

A quiet computer repair shop clerk whose childhood crush on Emily drives him to become a professional match-breaker. He starts breaking couples for money but gradually faces moral conflict as his feelings deepen, leading him toward honesty and genuine connection with Emily.

💡 Thoughtful 🌀 Obsessive ⚖️ Morally conflicted ❤️ Romantic

Emily Atkins (Christina Grimmie)

A talented artist who works at an art gallery and also performs at a jazz club. She appears poised and independent, yet carries insecurities about love and commitment. Her evolving relationship with Ethan reveals a more complex, multifaceted person than she initially presents.

🎨 Creative 🤔 Complex 💖 Open-minded 🎭 Independent

Veronica (Ashley Shelton)

The daughter of Mrs. Taylor who hires Ethan to break up her boyfriend, then becomes fixated on him. She uses charm and social influence to pursue her goals, creating tension and danger as her manipulation comes to light.

💃 Charismatic 🎯 Calculated 🗣️ Bold 🎭 Devious

Tricia (Tessa Violet)

A waitress and close confidante of Emily who becomes entangled in the Mitchell–Tricia dynamic. She exudes warmth and loyalty, supporting Emily while navigating her own relationships and the fallout from Ethan’s actions.

✨ Free spirit 💬 Loyal 🎶 Music lover 🤝 Supportive

Mitchell (Olan Rogers)

A pretentious, wealthy young man who catches Emily’s interest and becomes the target of Ethan’s interventions. His privileged outlook and courtship style highlight the clash between appearance and genuine connection.

💼 Affluent 🎭 Privileged 🤵 Relationship dynamics

Lexy Cooper (Shawna Howson)

Ethan’s sister and a florist who hosts a pivotal double date. She provides support and practical perspective, playing a key role in moving the plot toward reconciliation even as she navigates family ties.

💐 Florist 🎉 Supportive 🤝 Family

Sam (Osric Chau)

Ethan’s roommate and narrator who guides the audience through the evolving story. He offers insight and keeps pace with the shifting alliances and revelations, serving as a steady voice amid changing loyalties.

🎙️ Narrator 🧭 Guiding 💬 Loyal

Donna (Jennifer Mays)

Emily’s mother, a practical and persuasive presence who tests Ethan’s choices. She negotiates rewards, boundaries, and the stakes of family happiness as the plot unfolds.

🗣️ Protective 💬 Cautious 👩‍👧 Family-driven

The Matchbreaker Settings

Learn where and when The Matchbreaker (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Present-day

The story unfolds in modern times, reflecting current dating and relationship dynamics within everyday life. The action moves between intimate spaces and public events, from casual encounters to a formal party, highlighting how contemporary culture shapes romance and reputation. The tempo of the plot mirrors real-life rhythms of hope, doubt, and reconciliation.

Location

Computer repair shop, Lexy’s florist shop, Jazz club, Emily’s art gallery, Restaurant, Formal party

The film unfolds across a contemporary urban landscape, moving from a quiet computer repair shop to a florist shop, and then into public spaces like a jazz club, an art gallery, a restaurant, and a formal party. These settings anchor the characters’ evolving relationships in real-world environments. Each venue serves as a backdrop for confession, confrontation, and connection, blending private longing with social performance.

🏢 Urban life 💐 Florist culture 🎷 Jazz venues 🖼️ Art spaces 🍽️ Restaurants 🎉 Parties

The Matchbreaker Themes

Discover the main themes in The Matchbreaker (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💞

Love and Obsession

Ethan’s fixation on Emily starts as a childhood crush and grows into an all-consuming fixation that drives his choices. The line between admiration and control becomes blurred as money and reputation enter the equation. True connection only emerges when Ethan confronts his own motives and allows genuine feeling to replace manipulation.

🤝

Ethics and Manipulation

The narrative centers on morally charged decisions: is breaking up relationships for payment ever justifiable? Ethan’s assignments destabilize families, yet his rising notoriety exposes the costs of his work. When he refuses a reward and acts to repair a bond, the film tests accountability to others and to himself.

🎭

Facade and Truth

Emily presents an image of effortless perfection, but the story reveals her vulnerabilities. Veronica’s public persona clashes with private motives, showing how appearances can mask deeper motives. Through these reveals, the film argues that authenticity reshapes relationships once the mask of perfection is dropped.

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The Matchbreaker Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Matchbreaker (2016). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a bustling urban landscape where love often feels like a transaction, an idealistic young man finds himself thrust onto an unlikely side of romance. After a sudden job loss leaves him searching for purpose, he discovers a niche market that turns the art of courtship on its head: a discreet service that helps disapproving families end relationships they deem unsuitable. The concept is as tongue‑in‑cheek as it is provocative, setting the stage for a comedy that winks at the absurdities of modern matchmaking while probing deeper questions about agency and desire.

Ethan Cooper is the film’s earnest protagonist, a soft‑spoken dreamer whose lifelong infatuation with a childhood acquaintance has shaped his view of love as something pure and timeless. Living with his pragmatic roommate Sam and sharing a cramped apartment above his sister Lexy’s lively flower shop, Ethan navigates a world that suddenly prizes his cynical skill set over his romantic optimism. His entry into the match‑breaking business begins as a single, desperate gig, yet the unexpected demand for his services quickly swells, drawing in a parade of parents eager to steer their children’s hearts away from “the wrong” partners.

Amid the growing clientele, a familiar name resurfaces: Emily Atkins, the girl who has haunted Ethan’s thoughts since elementary school. Their paths cross again, and the professional role he has cultivated begins to clash with the lingering feelings he never managed to articulate. The film balances his burgeoning romance with the ethical gray area of his work, crafting a tension that feels both humorous and heartfelt, as Ethan grapples with the paradox of breaking couples while yearning for his own connection.

The tone is breezy yet thoughtful, blending witty dialogue with moments of genuine introspection. As Ethan walks the tightrope between profiteering on heartbreak and longing for his own happily‑ever‑after, the story invites audiences to consider whether true love can survive when the line between helping and meddling grows blurry. The result is a romantic comedy that feels fresh, charming, and oddly reflective, promising a journey where laughter and sentiment intertwine at every turn.