Due Date (2010), directed by Todd Phillips, is a buddy comedy road movie starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. With plenty of misadventures, dark humor, and heartwarming moments, the film is often seen as a modern twist on the classic road-trip genre. Here’s everything you need to know.
Detailed Summary
The Setup: Wrong Place, Wrong Time
Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.), a tightly wound architect, is on his way from Atlanta to Los Angeles for the birth of his first child. His life takes a chaotic turn when he accidentally crosses paths with Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis), an eccentric aspiring actor. A mix-up at the airport involving Ethan’s name (which lands Peter on the no-fly list) forces the two to hit the road together.
The Road Trip from Hell
The journey across America is full of disasters: car accidents, drug mishaps, run-ins with the police, and plenty of arguments. Ethan’s erratic behavior constantly frustrates Peter, who is desperate to make it to L.A. before his wife Sarah (Michelle Monaghan) goes into labor. Along the way, Ethan scatters his father’s ashes in a coffee can, complicating things further.
Breaking Point
Peter reaches his limit several times, questioning why he ever agreed to travel with Ethan. They fight, separate, but eventually reconnect when circumstances force them back together. Beneath Ethan’s strange antics, Peter starts to see his vulnerability and grief over his father’s death.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
The climax unfolds when Peter and Ethan finally reach Los Angeles. After surviving a final car crash into the Grand Canyon, Peter barely manages to arrive at the hospital in time for the birth of his child. He holds his newborn daughter, experiencing both relief and joy. Ethan, meanwhile, fulfills his dream of appearing on television—albeit in a small guest role on Two and a Half Men.
The ending ties up both characters’ arcs: Peter learns to loosen up and accept the chaos of life, while Ethan achieves a sliver of validation for his acting career. Despite the endless disasters, their strange friendship is cemented.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Due Date does not include any post-credits scenes. Once the final scenes roll, the story is complete, leaving no additional teasers or hidden gags after the credits.
Type of Movie
Due Date is a comedy road movie with strong elements of buddy film dynamics. It mixes slapstick humor, awkward interactions, and heartfelt undertones about family and friendship.
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Peter Highman
- Zach Galifianakis as Ethan Tremblay (aka Ethan Chase)
- Michelle Monaghan as Sarah Highman
- Jamie Foxx as Darryl
- Juliette Lewis as Heidi
- Danny McBride as Lonnie (the Western Union clerk)
- RZA as the airport security agent
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Christophe Beck, known for balancing comedic timing with emotional undertones. The soundtrack also features licensed songs that enhance the road trip vibe, including tracks from Wolfmother, Neil Young, and Pink Floyd (Hey You plays memorably in one sequence).
Filming Locations
Filming took place across multiple U.S. states, reflecting the road trip narrative:
- Georgia (airport scenes)
- New Mexico & Arizona (desert sequences, including the Grand Canyon)
- California (final hospital scenes)
These locations ground the movie in a very real American landscape, giving authenticity to the chaotic journey.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
Due Date didn’t win major awards but received nominations and recognition in comedy-focused categories, such as:
- People’s Choice Awards (Favorite Comedy Movie – nomination)
- It was also noted at the Teen Choice Awards for comedy performances.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Robert Downey Jr. admitted he based Peter’s short temper on real people he had worked with in Hollywood.
- Zach Galifianakis improvised many of Ethan’s lines, adding spontaneity to the humor.
- The ashes-in-a-coffee-can subplot was inspired by classic road comedies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
- Filming the Grand Canyon scene required a mix of on-location shooting and green-screen work for safety.
Inspirations and References
The movie is heavily inspired by John Hughes’ 1987 classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Both films revolve around an uptight man forced to travel with an eccentric stranger, leading to unexpected friendship.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
A few deleted scenes appear in the DVD/Blu-ray extras, including:
- Extended arguments between Peter and Ethan.
- A longer sequence involving Danny McBride’s character at Western Union.
There are no widely known alternate endings, but some improvised comedic scenes were trimmed for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Due Date is not based on a book. Its primary influence is cinematic, rooted in the buddy comedy tradition.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Peter and Ethan being kicked off the airplane after the air marshal incident.
- Ethan falling asleep while driving, nearly killing them.
- Ethan scattering his father’s ashes in the Grand Canyon.
- The climactic hospital arrival where Peter holds his newborn daughter.
Iconic Quotes
- Peter: “You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.”
- Ethan: “I’ve never done drugs in my life… except marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills.”
- Peter (to Ethan): “You are literally the worst person I’ve ever met.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Ethan’s stage name, “Tremblay,” may be a wink at Jacob Tremblay, who was gaining recognition in indie circles around that time.
- The “Two and a Half Men” cameo at the end was included as a cultural reference to one of the biggest sitcoms of the era.
- Ethan’s obsession with Hollywood reflects Zach Galifianakis’s own meta-comedy style.
Trivia
- Robert Downey Jr. actually broke his ankle while filming a stunt, delaying production.
- Zach Galifianakis said he modeled Ethan partly after people he knew in small-town North Carolina.
- The movie grossed over $200 million worldwide, making it a commercial success despite mixed reviews.
Why Watch?
Watch Due Date if you enjoy:
- Buddy comedies with mismatched personalities.
- Road trip stories full of outrageous situations.
- Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis bouncing comedic timing off each other.
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
- The Hangover (2009)
- Tommy Boy (1995)
- Midnight Run (1988)
- Road Trip (2000)