Set It Up is the movie that single-handedly saved the Netflix rom-com, but it is absolutely not the movie for your next family Friday night. While it’s anchored by the undeniable, high-wattage charisma of Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch, the dialogue is a non-stop barrage of F-bombs, crude sexual banter, and "adulting" cynicism that will make things very awkward, very quickly if you’re watching with anyone still in middle school.
Set It Up is a sharp, funny, and genuinely charming romantic comedy that revitalized the genre on Netflix, but it earns its TV-MA rating through relentless profanity and adult-oriented humor. It’s a perfect "parents-only" watch or perhaps a choice for older teens (16+) who can handle wall-to-wall swearing and cynical office politics. If you want a similar "enemies-to-lovers" vibe that’s safer for a younger crew, try 10 Things I Hate About You or check out our best movies for kids list.
Let’s be real: by 2026, we are all living in Glen Powell’s world, and Set It Up is where the modern version of his "charming-but-slightly-smarmy" persona really took flight. The movie follows two overworked, underpaid assistants in New York City who realize that if they can get their nightmare bosses to fall in love with each other, they might actually get a night off.
The chemistry between Powell and Deutch is top-tier. It’s fast-paced, the banter is actually clever, and it avoids the "cheap" feeling of many direct-to-streaming movies. It feels like a throwback to the big-budget rom-coms of the 90s, which is exactly why parents are tempted to put it on for the whole family. But before you hit play, you need to know where the friction points are.
This isn't a movie with a few stray "hells" or "damns." The language in Set It Up is conversational and constant. The characters talk like actual stressed-out twenty-somethings in Manhattan, which means the F-word is used as a noun, verb, and adjective in almost every scene.
The Profanity Wall
If your family has a low tolerance for "language," this movie is a non-starter. It’s not just the quantity; it’s the casual nature of it. It’s woven into the comedy, the frustration, and the romance. According to Screenwise community data, the profanity is the number one reason parents regret putting this on for kids under 15.
Crude Humor and "Adult" Situations
While there isn't much graphic nudity, the humor is decidedly crude. There are extended sequences involving a "Cyrano"-style setup that include very frank discussions about sex, bodily functions, and the general messiness of being an adult. One particular scene involving a "taco" and some very suggestive dialogue is a classic "look at your phone and pretend you didn't hear that" moment for parents watching with kids.
The Toxic Boss Dynamic
The bosses, played by Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs, are intentionally monstrous. They are abusive, demanding, and borderline sociopathic. For adults, it’s a funny satire of corporate culture. For younger kids, it can just feel mean-spirited or confusingly stressful.
If your 16 or 17-year-old has already caught this on their own, don't sweat the language—they’ve heard worse in the hallways. Instead, use the movie as a bridge to talk about things that actually matter:
- The "Hustle Culture" Trap: The movie is a masterclass in showing how work can swallow your entire identity. Ask them: "Do you think Harper and Charlie were actually good at their jobs, or were they just good at being available 24/7?"
- The Ethics of the "Set Up": The entire plot is based on manipulation. Is it okay to mess with people's lives if you think the outcome will be good for everyone? It’s a low-stakes way to talk about consent and agency.
- Real Chemistry vs. Movie Chemistry: The movie does a great job showing the difference between the "bosses" (who are forced together) and the "assistants" (who actually like each other). It’s a good starting point for talking about what a healthy connection actually looks like versus a performative one.
If you were looking for that "witty banter and romance" vibe but want to keep the F-bombs to a minimum, skip Set It Up and try these instead:
- 10 Things I Hate About You: The gold standard for teen rom-coms. It’s smart, Shakespeare-adjacent, and has a killer soundtrack.
- The Princess Bride: If you want romance mixed with genuine comedy that hits for every age from 5 to 95.
- Anyone But You: If you're specifically here for the Glen Powell of it all. It’s still rated R (so vet it for your older teens), but it feels a bit more like a "theatrical" experience and less like a "profane office sitcom."
- While You Were Sleeping: A classic "fake relationship" trope that is almost entirely clean but still genuinely funny for adults.
For more ideas, see our best family movies by age list.
Q: Is Set It Up okay for a 13-year-old? Probably not. Unless your 13-year-old is exceptionally mature and you are totally fine with them hearing dozens of F-bombs, the humor and language are geared toward an older audience. It’s "mid" for young teens but "top-tier" for adults.
Q: Why is Set It Up rated TV-MA? The rating is primarily due to strong language and crude sexual humor. There isn't significant violence or graphic nudity, but the dialogue is consistently mature.
Q: Are there any "scary" parts in Set It Up? No, it’s a straight romantic comedy. The only "scary" thing is the prospect of having a boss as demanding as the ones in the movie.
Q: Is there a "clean" version of Set It Up? Netflix doesn't offer a censored version. If you want a cleaner rom-com experience, you're better off choosing a movie with a PG or PG-13 theatrical rating.
Set It Up is a great movie, but it’s a "glass of wine after the kids are in bed" movie. It’s funny, the leads are fantastic, and it’s a great reminder of why we like rom-coms in the first place. Just don't make the mistake of thinking "Netflix Rom-Com" automatically means "Family Friendly."
- Check out our digital guide for high schoolers for more age-appropriate media picks.
- Looking for something lighter? See our best shows for kids list.
- Get help picking a movie for your specific kid
