Is the nudity really that graphic?

It's brief but unmistakable. There is a shot of full-frontal male nudity during a comedic scene involving a spider. It's not 'erotic,' but it is definitely there.

Can I watch this with my 14-year-old?

The MPAA says R, but many parents find it's fine for mature 14-year-olds who have seen similar PG-13 rom-coms. Just be ready for a lot of F-bombs and talk about sex.

Is it actually funny or just a thirst trap?

It's both. The leads are definitely marketed for their looks, but the physical comedy and the banter are genuinely well-executed. It's better written than most of its peers.

Do I need to know Shakespeare to get the jokes?

Not at all. It's an 'easter egg' for fans of Much Ado About Nothing, but the movie stands perfectly well on its own as a modern comedy.

Anyone But You – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Anyone But You

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A breezy R-rated rom-com that proves the enemies-to-lovers trope still works if the leads have enough chemistry to melt an ice sculpture.

53%

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Anyone But You

movie

R, 2023

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A breezy R-rated rom-com that proves the enemies-to-lovers trope still works if the leads have enough chemistry to melt an ice sculpture.

53%

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53%

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Screenwise Verdict

Anyone But You is exactly what it looks like: a shiny, loud, attractive, and occasionally very funny romantic comedy. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it polishes the wheel until it sparkles. It’s the movie that basically resurrected the theatrical rom-com in the mid-2020s by reminding everyone that watching beautiful people argue and then fall in love is a great way to spend two hours.

For parents, the main thing to know is that this isn't a family-friendly 'romance.' It’s salty, it’s sexual, and it’s definitely meant for an adult audience. If you're looking for something to watch with your teen, make sure they’re at an age where a naked Glen Powell isn't going to make the living room vibe incredibly awkward.

Age Fit

This is firmly for the 16+ crowd. While older teens will likely find it hilarious and relatable, the R-rated content is too explicit for the middle-school set. It's a great 'date night' movie for parents or a 'first R-rated movie' for a mature high schooler.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it ends with a standard romantic reconciliation, the journey is built on spite, deception, and some fairly raunchy humor that pushes it out of the 'sweet' category.

Imaginative

It's a loose riff on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which adds a layer of cleverness, but otherwise follows the rom-com playbook to the letter.

Safe

The R-rating is earned. There is brief graphic nudity (male), significant sexual dialogue, and a high volume of profanity that makes it a no-go for younger viewers.

Enriching

As a revival of the theatrical romantic comedy, it's high-quality entertainment. It explores the pitfalls of miscommunication and the vulnerability required for real relationships.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Star Power: Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell have the kind of old-school movie star chemistry that has been missing from the genre for a decade.
Australian Backdrop: The Sydney setting is stunning and serves as more than just a green screen, adding a genuine vacation vibe to the film.
Shakespearean Bones: It's a modern retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, giving it a slightly more structured narrative than your average Netflix rom-com.
Genuine Fun: Unlike many 'prestige' comedies, this one isn't afraid to be silly, physical, and a little bit ridiculous for the sake of a laugh.

⚠

What to Watch For

Explicit Nudity: There is a brief scene involving full-frontal male nudity and several scenes of semi-nudity that are played for laughs but are very clear.
Heavy Profanity: The script doesn't hold back on F-bombs or colorful descriptions of sexual acts.
Sexual Situations: While not a 'steamy' thriller, the sexual tension and dialogue are mature and frequent.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Ben and Bea were so quick to believe the worst about each other after their first date?"
"The 'fake dating' trope is a classic—why do you think we love watching people pretend to be in love until it becomes real?"
"How did the characters' pride get in the way of their actual feelings throughout the wedding weekend?"
"Does the movie make Australia look like a place you'd actually want to visit, or just a nice movie set?"

Deep Dive

The Return of the Movie Star

For a few years, it felt like the romantic comedy had been relegated to the 'Direct to Streaming' bin, filled with low-budget scripts and actors with zero chemistry. Anyone But You changed that trajectory by leaning into the high-gloss, high-energy formula that made the 90s and early 2000s the golden age of the genre.

Much Ado About Sydney

The film's secret weapon is its connection to Shakespeare. By using Much Ado About Nothing as a blueprint, the writers managed to avoid some of the more annoying 'misunderstanding' tropes that plague modern comedies. Ben and Bea (Benedick and Beatrice) are witty, sharp-tongued, and genuinely seem to enjoy the verbal sparring.

The 'Awkwardness' Factor

If you are considering letting a younger teen watch this, be prepared for the 'Spider Scene.' It’s the film's most famous comedic set-piece, and it involves a lot of undressing and suggestive physical comedy. It’s funny, but it’s the kind of humor that can make a family movie night feel very long if you aren't prepared for the R-rated shift. If your kid is already watching shows like Euphoria or Sex Education, this will feel like Disney Channel by comparison. If they’re still in the Marvel phase, this is a significant jump in maturity.

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