Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

movie

PG-13, 2008

WISE
48%

WISE Score

74

Avg. Tomatometer

One wild NYC night of indie music, drunk friends, and will-they-won't-they romance—with more booze than you'd expect from a teen rom-com.

IMDb6.6
RT Critics74%
MC64
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: in 2008, this felt fresh—Michael Cera doing his awkward thing, indie music as identity, one magical night in New York. In 2025? It's a time capsule that hasn't aged particularly well.

The core romance has some sweet moments of vulnerability and connection, but it's wrapped in a lot of teen drinking, sexual content, and humor that parents might not expect from what looks like a quirky rom-com. One character spends half the movie blackout drunk, leading to some truly gross moments that aren't exactly enriching.

The bigger issue is watchability. The iPod references, the specific mid-2000s indie aesthetic, the flip phones—it all feels very "of its time." Modern teens are more likely to find it dated than charming. The 6.6 IMDb and middling audience scores suggest even at the time it was just... fine.

If you've got a 16-year-old who's into music history or nostalgic aesthetics, maybe. But for most families, there are better teen romance options that offer similar themes without the heavy drinking and with more modern relevance.

Age Fit

Best for 16+ who can handle the drinking content and sexual themes without getting the wrong idea. Younger teens will likely find it dated anyway, and the 2008 indie music scene won't resonate like it did back then.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
55

A teen romance with generally positive relationship development, but includes drinking, partying, and some crude humor. The core story models vulnerability and connection, but the night-club setting and drunken friend subplot undercut the emotional health aspect. Pacing is decent but the party atmosphere dominates.

Imaginative
62

The 'one night in NYC' conceit and music-centric plot offer some creative framing, and the indie music culture adds flavor. However, it's a fairly conventional rom-com structure without much invitation to explore or create. The music element is more aesthetic than truly imaginative.

Safe
48

Common Sense Media rates it 15+, and the film includes heavy drinking (a character gets blackout drunk), sexual content and innuendo, profanity, and some gross-out humor. While not gratuitously violent or gory, the alcohol content and sexual themes make it inappropriate for younger viewers and could be surprising to parents expecting a light teen romance.

Enriching
58

Offers some insight into navigating post-breakup emotions, taking risks in relationships, and the value of authentic connection. The music culture backdrop provides mild cultural enrichment. However, the entertainment value is middling—it's watchable but not particularly memorable or growth-inducing. The drunk friend subplot detracts from deeper themes.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Captures the authentic messiness of teenage relationships and post-breakup vulnerability
  • Music-centric plot offers a window into indie music culture (circa 2008)
  • Shows characters taking emotional risks and being genuine with each other
  • The one-night adventure structure keeps things moving

What to Watch For

  • Heavy drinking throughout—one character gets blackout drunk and there are multiple gross-out moments related to it
  • Sexual content, innuendo, and some crude humor that goes beyond typical PG-13 fare
  • Profanity sprinkled throughout
  • The 2008 indie aesthetic and iPod-era references feel pretty dated now

Conversation Starters

  • "The characters spend the whole night looking for a drunk friend—what would you do if a friend got that drunk at a party?"
  • "Nick can't stop thinking about his ex. How do you know when it's time to move on from something?"
  • "They connect over music taste. What role does music play in your friendships?"
  • "The movie shows a lot of partying and drinking. What's realistic vs. glamorized here?"
Stills
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 1
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 2
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 3
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 4
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 5
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 6
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 7
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist — still 8

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