Ricky Stanicky – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ricky Stanicky

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Three dudes spend 20 years blaming their bad behavior on an imaginary friend—exactly as mature as it sounds.

6.2/10

45%

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Ricky Stanicky

movie

R, 2024

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Three dudes spend 20 years blaming their bad behavior on an imaginary friend—exactly as mature as it sounds.

6.2

45%

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6.2/10

45%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is what it is: a middling R-rated comedy about man-children who can't grow up. John Cena plays an imaginary friend come to life, there are probably some decent laughs buried in there, but critics weren't impressed and the premise is fundamentally about celebrating two decades of lying to your loved ones.

The 6.2 IMDb rating tells you everything—it's watchable if you're in the mood for brainless comedy and have already exhausted better options. But there's nothing here that makes it a must-watch, and the thematic content (lying, immaturity, crude humor) means it's got zero value for family viewing or younger audiences.

If you're an adult looking for a forgettable Friday night comedy, sure. Otherwise, there are about a hundred better options on Prime Video.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults—the 16+ rating from Common Sense Media is the absolute floor, and honestly 17-18+ is more realistic given the R-rated content. It's crude, immature humor that celebrates deception, so definitely not family viewing.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a Farrelly brothers-style R-rated comedy about three men who spend 20 years lying to their families using an imaginary friend as an alibi for immature behavior. The premise glorifies deception and immaturity rather than modeling healthy relationships or personal growth. Common Sense Media rates it 16+, and the tone centers on crude humor rather than emotional health or cooperation.

Imaginative

The core concept of an imaginary person coming to life has creative potential, and there's some originality in the 20-year time span of the lie. However, execution appears formulaic based on middling reviews (45% RT critics, 44 Metacritic). The premise is more high-concept than truly imaginative, relying on standard R-rated comedy tropes rather than inviting genuine creative thinking or exploration.

Safe

As an R-rated comedy, this contains significant adult content inappropriate for younger viewers - likely crude sexual humor, strong language, and mature themes about deception and infidelity alibis. The 16+ age recommendation from Common Sense Media signals substantial content concerns. While not graphically violent, the thematic content around lying to spouses and using fake identities for immature behavior creates safety concerns for family viewing.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value. While the film may eventually arrive at a message about honesty and growing up (standard comedy arc), the journey celebrates two decades of lying and immaturity. The 6.2 IMDb and 2.8 Letterboxd ratings suggest mediocre execution that doesn't elevate the material. Any lessons about accountability are likely surface-level and overshadowed by crude humor. Entertainment value appears middling based on mixed audience reception.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

John Cena apparently plays the fake Ricky with commitment, which could provide some laughs
The absurd premise of maintaining a two-decade lie has comedic potential
If you're looking for a mindless, crude comedy for adult movie night, it delivers exactly what the trailer promises
The 69% audience score suggests some viewers found it entertaining enough

⚠

What to Watch For

This is firmly R-rated territory—expect crude sexual humor, strong language, and jokes about infidelity
The entire premise celebrates lying to your spouse and family for decades, which isn't exactly role-model material
Critics were pretty lukewarm (45% RT, 44 Metacritic), so temper expectations
It's a Farrelly brothers-adjacent comedy, so if you're not into that brand of humor, skip it entirely

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the characters felt they needed to keep lying instead of just coming clean?"
"Have you ever told a lie that got out of control? How did you handle it?"
"What would actually happen if these guys just told the truth from the beginning?"

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