Is Long Shot appropriate for a 13-year-old?

No. The film carries an R rating for strong language, crude sexual dialogue, explicit humor, and prominent drug use. It is best reserved for viewers 15 and up.

How severe is the drug use in the movie?

There is a major plot sequence where the main characters intentionally take ecstasy (MDMA) before having to handle a high-stakes international crisis while impaired. Alcohol and marijuana also appear.

Is there actual nudity in Long Shot?

There is brief full-frontal male nudity shown on a phone screen as part of a blackmail plot, along with heavy sexual references throughout the script.

Does the political theme lean heavily toward one party?

The film focuses on environmental policy and progressive stances, but its satire mostly targets media obsession, image management, and political compromise rather than attacking specific political parties.

Long Shot

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

An unemployed, stubborn journalist gets hired as a speechwriter for his childhood babysitter—who is currently running for president.

6.8/10

82%

74%

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Long Shot

movie

R, 2019

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

An unemployed, stubborn journalist gets hired as a speechwriter for his childhood babysitter—who is currently running for president.

6.8

82%

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6.8/10

82%

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Screenwise Verdict

If you are looking for a date-night movie for yourself or a movie to watch with an older high schooler who already handles adult comedies, Long Shot delivers solid laughs and surprisingly sweet character work.

Just don't mistake it for a breezy PG-13 rom-com. It leans hard into Seth Rogen's signature brand of raunch, complete with an entire crisis-diplomacy scene handled high on ecstasy and jokes that revolve around explicit video recordings. For younger kids, this is a firm no.

Age Fit

Strictly for older teens (15+) and adults. The film is an explicit R-rated comedy with heavy drug use, graphic sexual jokes, and non-stop swearing that make it unsuitable for middle schoolers or younger audiences.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Packed with vulgar language, raunchy sexual humor, explicit jokes, and heavy recreational drug use. Not designed to be sweet or family-friendly.

Imaginative

Follows standard romantic comedy conventions, elevated by sharp dialogue and unexpected political commentary, but doesn't break genre molds.

Safe

Rated R for pervasive strong language, explicit sexual references, full-frontal nudity in a photo joke, graphic bodily humor, and a key plot sequence involving ecstasy.

Enriching

Underneath the crude jokes, it explores genuine themes around political compromise, media optics, and staying true to personal principles.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuine chemistry between Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron carries the odd-couple dynamic surprisingly well.
Sharp political satire pokes fun at image consultants, cable news outrage, and political compromise without feeling completely cynical.
Strong supporting cast including Bob Odenkirk as a TV-star-turned-president and O'Shea Jackson Jr. as the loyal best friend.

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic sexual gags: Includes an explicit video blackmail subplot involving a masturbation joke, plus continuous crude sex talk.
Extended drug sequence: A major crisis negotiations scene takes place while both lead characters are high on ecstasy (MDMA).
Constant swearing: Heavy use of expletives from the opening scene to the credits.

Conversation Starters

"Charlotte gives up certain public stances to win over voters. Where is the line between political strategy and selling out?"
"How much does public image and polish matter in real elections compared to actual policy?"
"Fred insists on being 100% authentic all the time. When does unyielding authenticity become self-sabotage?"

Deep Dive

The R-Rated Rom-Com Formula Done Right

On paper, pairing Charlize Theron as a poised Secretary of State with Seth Rogen as a schlubby, stubborn journalist in a windbreaker sounds like a studio pitch machine running on fumes. In execution, Long Shot works better than it has any right to, largely because both actors commit completely to their roles rather than playing down to the premise.

Directed by Jonathan Levine, the movie blends classic studio rom-com beats with modern political cynicism. Charlotte Field (Theron) needs to humanize her image to launch a presidential campaign; Fred Flarsky (Rogen) provides punchy, authentic speechwriting while refusing to wear a tuxedo. The core tension isn't just 'will they get together,' but whether a candidate can survive in modern politics without sacrificing every belief they started with.

What Parents Need to Know About the Content

While the movie deals with high-level politics, its humor lives firmly in the gutter. If you're considering letting a 14 or 15-year-old watch, be aware of two specific sequences:

The Ecstasy Trip: Mid-way through the film, Charlotte and Fred take MDMA at a club, leading to a high-stakes hostage negotiation conducted while visibly tripping.
The Blackmail Plot: A private video becomes a central plot point involving crude sexual humor and visible bodily fluids.

For mature teens who already watch R-rated comedies, these scenes are standard genre fare. For anyone younger, the explicit content will catch you off guard.

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