Puppy Love – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Puppy Love

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

32%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Cute dogs, R-rated mouths—this romcom's bark is way rougher than its bite suggests.

6.3/10

44%

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Puppy Love

movie

R, 2023

32%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Cute dogs, R-rated mouths—this romcom's bark is way rougher than its bite suggests.

6.3

44%

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6.3/10

44%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the bait-and-switch: you see 'Puppy Love' with adorable dogs on the poster and think 'perfect family movie night!' Then boom—46 f-bombs and sexual references that make it clear this is adults-only territory.

The core story is fine: mismatched couple, dogs fall in love, forced co-parenting leads to real romance. It's been done a thousand times, but dogs make everything better, right? The problem is the execution feels lazy. Why does a lighthearted romcom about puppies need R-rated dialogue? It doesn't add anything except limiting the audience.

For adults looking for undemanding background entertainment while folding laundry, sure. The IMDb 6.3 tells you what you need to know: watchable but forgettable. But for families? Hard pass. The WISE score reflects that this is neither safe for kids nor particularly enriching for anyone—just a formulaic romcom that wasted a cute premise.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults 17+. The adorable dog premise is a total trap—parents thinking this is family-friendly will be shocked by the R-rated language and content. Save this for date night after the kids are asleep.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A sweet romcom premise about mismatched people finding love through their dogs, but the execution undercuts the wholesomeness with 46 f-words and frequent crude language. The emotional core about cooperation and responsibility is there, but it's buried under R-rated dialogue that feels unnecessary for what should be a lighthearted dog-parent story.

Imaginative

Standard romcom formula with a dogs-as-matchmakers twist that's been done before (think Must Love Dogs, etc.). Nothing particularly original in the mismatched-couple-forced-together setup. The dog angle adds mild charm but doesn't invite creative thinking or exploration—it's a passive viewing experience with predictable beats.

Safe

Rated R for language with 46 f-words, sexual references, drinking, and smoking. While there's no graphic violence or nudity, the frequent strong profanity and adult content make this completely inappropriate for kids to stumble upon. Parents expecting a cute dog movie would be blindsided by the R-rating—this is firmly adult territory despite the adorable premise.

Enriching

Mild themes about responsibility, co-parenting, and giving people second chances. The movie touches on character growth and compromise, but it's a lightweight romcom that prioritizes laughs over meaningful insight. IMDb 6.3 suggests it's watchable but forgettable—not much to chew on afterward beyond 'opposites attract and dogs are cute.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Adorable dog chemistry that'll make you want to hit the shelter immediately
Light exploration of responsibility and compromise in relationships
Easy background viewing for adults who want something undemanding
The 'forced co-parenting' setup has some genuinely funny awkward moments

⚠

What to Watch For

R-rating is real: 46 f-words mean this is NOT a family movie despite what the poster suggests
Sexual references and innuendo throughout
Drinking and smoking present
Zero educational or developmental value for kids—this is purely adult entertainment

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the movie needed so much swearing when the story is about cute dogs?"
"Have you ever had to work with someone you didn't like at first? How did that go?"
"What responsibilities come with pet ownership that people might not think about?"

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