Logo What's After the Movie
What's Your Number?

What's Your Number? 2011

Test your knowledge of What's Your Number? with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for What's Your Number? (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


In the vibrant city of Boston, we meet Ally Darling, a woman navigating her tumultuous 30s. After her boyfriend, Rick, breaks up with her following her request for him to attend her sister Daisy’s wedding, Ally is left in a vulnerable state. To make matters worse, she soon loses her job, leaving her feeling adrift. While riding the subway home, she stumbles upon a thought-provoking article in Marie Claire titled “What’s Your Number?” that suggests women with more than 20 past romances are less likely to find their ideal partner.

This revelation pushes Ally to take stock of her own romantic history, only to discover that she has been involved with 19 men. Determined to change her love life, she swears off romantic encounters until she can find the one who will truly make her heart race. However, after a wild evening at Daisy’s bachelorette party, she wakes up to an unexpected complication: a hangover and the realization that she has once again crossed the line with her former boss, Roger.

To dodge the impending embarrassment of facing Roger, Ally invites her neighbor, Colin Shea, a musician with his own issues, to assist her in getting rid of him. Unbeknownst to Ally, Colin is at her door for his own reasons—trying to shed a one-night stand who is beginning to take things too seriously.

As fate intervenes, Ally bumps into her past love, Disgusting Donald, who has transformed from the awkward, overweight guy she once knew into a confident and attractive man about to tie the knot. Disheartened by her own romantic misadventures, Ally resolves to contact her ex-boyfriends, hoping one of them will have matured into the man she dreams of marrying. She ropes in Colin to help with this quest, trading his digging skills for a place to crash after his escapades.

Among her exes, one stands out: Jake Adams, whom Ally perceives as her “one that got away.” However, as she reconnects with each of her past lovers, the encounters are filled with awkwardness and disappointments that reveal exactly why each relationship failed—ranging from one ex being stuck in a dead-end job to another wanting her to fake a British accent.

Feeling despondent after these failed reconnections, Ally’s spirits are lifted when she enjoys a night out with Colin, leading to a burgeoning connection between them. However, just as things appear to be blossoming, Ally hesitates, yet still chooses Colin as her date for Daisy’s wedding.

With whispers about Colin’s past romantic escapades spreading among their circle, doubts loom over any potential romance between him and Ally. The tension escalates when Ally discovers that Colin had secured Jake’s contact info without revealing it to her, stoking feelings of betrayal and jealousy between them.

Amidst this turmoil, Ally reignites her romance with Jake and invites him to her sister’s wedding. As the night unfolds, Colin performs with his band at another wedding, allowing Ally to savor joyful moments dancing with her father. However, during a dance with Jake, she confesses her past romances, which horrifies him, leading her to realize that her heart belongs elsewhere.

In a determined search for Colin at various weddings across the city, Ally finally admits her feelings to him, receiving an equally heartfelt response. The story culminates with Ally waking up next to Colin, only to receive an exuberant call from an old flame, confirming that Colin is indeed her 20th and final romance, closing a chapter in her life and opening a new one filled with love and connection.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of What's Your Number? (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Ally's Breakup

In the city of Boston, Ally Darling faces heartbreak when her boyfriend, Rick, breaks up with her. This split occurs right after she asks him to attend her sister Daisy's wedding, leaving her feeling vulnerable and lost.

Boston

Job Loss

Shortly after the breakup, Ally loses her job, intensifying her feelings of being adrift in life. This dual loss of a boyfriend and a job drives her into a period of deep reflection.

The Article Discovery

While riding the subway, Ally discovers an article in *Marie Claire* titled 'What's Your Number?'. The article suggests that women with more than 20 past romances are unlikely to find their ideal partner, prompting Ally to assess her own romantic history.

Subway in Boston

The Exes Revelation

After counting her past relationships, Ally realizes she has been involved with 19 men. This shocking discovery motivates her to swear off romantic encounters until she finds 'the one' who will capture her heart.

Bachelorette Party Shenanigans

At her sister Daisy's bachelorette party, Ally indulges in a night of wild fun. The next day, she finds herself with a hangover and the stress of having crossed a line with her former boss, Roger.

Daisy's Bachelorette Party

Colin's Arrival

To avoid facing Roger, Ally invites her neighbor Colin Shea over for help. Colin is also dealing with his own complications from a one-night stand who is starting to get too attached.

Reconnecting with Disgusting Donald

An unexpected encounter with her past love, Disgusting Donald, surprises Ally as he has transformed into a confident man. His impending marriage makes Ally reflect on her romantic choices.

Boston

The Quest to Find Exes

Ally decides to contact her ex-boyfriends, hoping one might have matured and become the man of her dreams. With Colin's help, she aims to reconnect and explore her past relationships.

Awkward Reunion Encounters

As Ally reaches out to her exes, she is met with a series of awkward and disappointing reunions. These experiences highlight the reasons each past relationship ended, revealing a pattern of mismatched expectations.

Bonding Night with Colin

Ally and Colin share a pivotal night out, which begins to deepen their connection. Despite their growing bond, Ally grapples with her feelings and uncertainties about pursuing a romance with him.

Wedding Date Choice

Ally ultimately chooses Colin as her date for Daisy's wedding, despite the rumors circulating about Colin's romantic past. This decision signifies her intent to move forward with their relationship.

Daisy's Wedding

Tension Arises

As Ally grows closer to Colin, tension escalates when she discovers that Colin had secured contact information for her ex, Jake, without telling her. This situation stirs feelings of jealousy and betrayal.

Rekindling with Jake

In the midst of her confusion, Ally rekindles her romance with Jake and invites him to her sister's wedding. The encounter becomes complicated when she reveals her past romances, shocking Jake and causing doubts.

Daisy's Wedding

The Search for Colin

After realizing her heart belongs with Colin, Ally embarks on a quest to find him. She searches through weddings across the city, determined to confess her feelings and set things right.

Various Weddings in Boston

New Beginnings

In a heartfelt moment, Ally admits her feelings to Colin, who reciprocates her emotions. The story culminates with Ally waking up next to Colin, marking a new chapter in her life filled with love.

Characters

Explore all characters from What's Your Number? (2011). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Ally Darling

Ally Darling is a determined woman in her 30s who embarks on a quest to understand her romantic history and discover true love. Throughout the movie, she grapples with self-doubt and vulnerability, pushing herself to confront past relationships while learning valuable lessons about love and connection. Her journey showcases resilience and growth as she navigates the complexities of her heart.

💪 Resilience 💖 Romantic 🎭 Self-Discovery

Colin Shea

Colin Shea is a laid-back musician who becomes an unexpected ally in Ally's journey. While he initially seems to have his own romantic challenges, he offers support and friendship that gradually evolves into something deeper. Colin's easy-going nature contrasts with Ally's emotional struggles, highlighting the importance of companionship and understanding in matters of the heart.

🎶 Musician 🤝 Supportive 💔 Complex

Jake Adams

Jake Adams represents the idea of 'the one who got away' for Ally. As she reconnects with him, he reveals the disappointment of unfulfilled expectations and the complications of rekindled romance. His character serves as a catalyst for Ally's self-discovery and the realization of where her true feelings lie.

🌅 Past Love 🔄 Complexity 😓 Disappointment

Setting

Learn where and when What's Your Number? (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

Contemporary

The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, reflecting the realities of modern relationships and the challenges that accompany navigating romance in one's 30s. This period highlights the pressures faced by individuals as they balance expectations of love, career, and personal fulfillment amidst societal norms.

Location

Boston

Boston is a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural institutions, and beautiful waterfront. It is home to numerous universities and is a hub for innovation and education, making it a bustling urban environment. The city's unique blend of old-world charm and modernity creates an ideal backdrop for romantic adventures.

🏙️ City 🌊 Waterfront

Themes

Discover the main themes in What's Your Number? (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


💔

Love & Heartbreak

The film explores the intricacies of love and heartbreak as the main character, Ally, navigates her past relationships. It highlights the struggles of finding true love and the emotional toll that failed romances can take. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of self-discovery and recognizing genuine connections in the quest for love.

🗂️

Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is a significant theme, as Ally assesses her romantic history in light of an article that impacts her worldview. Through her journey of reconnecting with past lovers, she learns vital lessons about herself and her needs in a relationship, leading her to find clarity and deeper connections.

🎉

Friendship

The bond between Ally and Colin exemplifies the importance of friendship in the search for love. Their dynamic is characterized by mutual support and understanding, which evolves into a romantic connection, emphasizing that sometimes the right relationship can blossom from a strong friendship.

Movies with Similar Twists and Themes

Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.