How much nudity is actually in this?

There is a brief scene with full-frontal male nudity and several scenes involving characters in underwear or suggestive situations. It's definitely in R-rated territory.

Is it okay for a 14-year-old who is 'mature'?

Probably not. Beyond the language and sex, the themes are very adult—fertility struggles, career stagnation, and the complexities of divorce. It's likely to be boring or confusing for a younger teen.

Does it have a typical rom-com happy ending?

Without spoiling it, the movie leans into a more realistic ending. It’s happy, but not in the 'they lived happily ever after with a prince' kind of way. It’s more about personal satisfaction.

Is it just one long party scene?

No, while Rebel Wilson’s character spends a lot of time in clubs, the other three main storylines are much more grounded and focus on things like work-life balance and starting a family.

How to Be Single

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

46%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A raunchy NYC rom-com that (surprisingly) cares more about self-discovery than finding 'the one.'

45%

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How to Be Single

movie

R, 2016

46%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A raunchy NYC rom-com that (surprisingly) cares more about self-discovery than finding 'the one.'

45%

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45%

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Screenwise Verdict

If you’re looking for a 'mindless' rom-com, this isn't exactly it. It’s a bit more cynical and a lot more raunchy than the standard fare. While the critics weren't kind, it actually has a decent heart and a message about self-sufficiency that most movies in this category skip over.

That said, it’s a product of its time (2016). Some of the humor feels like it's trying too hard to be 'edgy' in that post-Bridesmaids way. It’s a solid choice for a parent's night in, but keep the kids far away from the remote—it gets graphic fast.

Age Fit

This is strictly for older teens (16+) and adults. The R-rating is earned through language and nudity, but the themes of career burnout and biological clocks won't resonate with younger kids anyway.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The core of the movie is about female friendship and self-reliance, but it's wrapped in a very raunchy, party-heavy package that prioritizes hookup culture and heavy drinking.

Imaginative

It stays firmly within the visual and narrative tropes of the 'New York City rom-com' genre. Nothing groundbreaking here.

Safe

This is an R-rated comedy. It contains full-frontal male nudity, frequent sexual dialogue, and significant depictions of alcohol and drug use.

Enriching

It subverts the usual rom-com ending by suggesting that being single is a valid, necessary time for personal growth rather than a problem to be solved by a wedding.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Subverts the genre by focusing on the value of being alone rather than the frantic search for a partner.
Strong ensemble cast led by Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann, with Rebel Wilson handling the heavy comedic lifting.
Realistic messiness regarding career, fertility, and the actual logistics of dating in a big city.
Authentic friendships that serve as the emotional anchor of the story, often outshining the romantic interests.

⚠

What to Watch For

Frequent sexual content including a scene with full-frontal male nudity and very graphic discussions about anatomy and hookups.
Heavy drinking and partying are the primary activities for several characters, often framed as the only way to have fun.
Raunchy humor that can feel dated or mean-spirited, particularly some of Rebel Wilson's more aggressive bits.

Conversation Starters

"Why does Alice feel like she needs to be single to find herself?"
"Is the movie's depiction of 'single life' realistic or just a Hollywood version?"
"How do the different characters define success in their personal lives?"
"Does the ending change how you think about romantic comedies?"

Deep Dive

The 'Anti-Rom-Com' Rom-Com

How to Be Single arrived in 2016 during a wave of R-rated female-led comedies. While it didn't reach the heights of Bridesmaids, it carved out a niche by being surprisingly honest about the 'single' part of the title. Most movies in this genre treat being single as a waiting room for a husband. This one argues that the waiting room is actually the destination.

Dakota Johnson plays Alice, who dumps her long-term boyfriend just to see what else is out there. What follows is a series of interconnected stories featuring Rebel Wilson as the hard-partying guide, Leslie Mann as the career-focused sister, and Alison Brie as the woman obsessed with the algorithm of dating.

Why it works (and why it doesn't)

The movie works best when it focuses on the relationship between Alice and her sister. It captures that specific New York anxiety about 'running out of time' without being too preachy. However, it struggles with tone. It wants to be a gross-out comedy one minute and a tender indie drama the next.

If your kid is asking to watch this because they saw a clip on TikTok, know that the 'fun' party scenes are balanced out by some pretty heavy adult themes. It’s a movie about adults making adult mistakes. For a 16-year-old, it’s a crash course in the reality that life doesn't always wrap up with a big wedding at the end of the second act. For anyone younger, it's just a lot of drinking and jokes they aren't ready for.

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How to Be Single – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise