Sex Appeal
Sex Appeal
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sex Appeal is intentionally explicit about sex as a teen girl explores her own sexuality and talks to others about theirs. Their advice, and representations of organs ("vulvic art," a clay penis, anatomy books, illustrations), are explicit. Porn videos with no intimate parts are glimpsed, and no parts are seen in sex scenes. But all are discussed -- as are positions, pleasuring oneself, handling a penis, measuring size (male and female), and finding a woman's "G" spot. Characters are diverse in their race and sexuality. Adults offer teens condoms. Kids play with dildos without knowing what they are. A girl tries to pleasure herself in a variety of ways. Language includes "f--k," "s--t," "damn," "Jesus," and a whole lot of sexual and anatomical terms, including a laundry list of nicknames for a vagina. Also: "d--k," "penis," "p--sy," "t-t f--k," "dry humping," "sperm," "finger banging," and more. A teacher admits to smoking a joint on the school roof every day. The film's ultimate message is that to get love you have to give love, and love is the key factor in a good lover.
Community Reviews
*~*
Report this review
What's the Story?
Avery (Mika Abdalla) is a star student with a bright future at MIT who is planning to lose her virginity in SEX APPEAL. Before she spends the night with long-distance boyfriend Casper (Mason Versaw) at a STEM conference, she decides to practice some sexual techniques with her best friend Larson (Jake Short). Approaching the research scientifically, she also interviews everyone she knows for ideas. Her investigation gives her the idea of developing an app to prep you for good sex, which she can present at STEMcon. Problem is, Avery doesn't seem to notice that Larson has long been in love with her and their experimentation is only deepening that connection for him.
Is It Any Good?
Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets Clueless in this update on the teen sex comedy that manages to be both innocent and at times shockingly raunchy. The naivety comes from Sex Appeal's earnest main character (a convincing Abdalla), who pursues sexual knowledge and experience with an academic intensity. Her three moms and her high school friends are a portrait of decency, even while openly discussing explicit sexual and anatomical concepts. They also play against type (according to high school movies) -- the cheerleader is the prude, the jock always gets in trouble, the bespectacled Asian guy seems to know the most about pleasing a woman, and the love interest (Disney alum Short), who looks like a young, curly-haired Justin Bateman, plays the trumpet.
Some of the funniest scenes in Sex Appeal happen when characters orgasm: these are envisioned as elaborate and hilarious stage sets (Esther Williams-ish synchronized swimming numbers or a Grease-style ballad, for example). They're meant to portray the sheer wonderment the characters are feeling, how physical pleasure transports them each to their own magical worlds. The actors charmingly convey the irrepressible hormonal energy and excitement of first love. Paris Jackson's cameo as a world-weary and sexually experienced older lady is a great addition. Sex Appeal will turn some viewers off, but what it aims to do, it does with originality and wit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the advice the moms give Avery in Sex Appeal. Did you feel they gave good and appropriate advice? Why do you think parent-teen conversations about sex can so often be awkward? Why are they necessary?
The film turns some typical movie stereotypes of high schoolers upside down. What examples did you see of this?
There are a lot of references to other movies in this film. What are some that you noticed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 14, 2022
- Cast: Mika Abdalla, Jake Short, Paris Jackson
- Director: Talia Osteen
- Studio: Hulu
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: STEM, Friendship, High School
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Teen movie is full of sex, drugs, and misbehavior.
-
Clueless
Charming take on Jane Austen's Emma has sex, drugs.
-
Never Been Kissed
Sweet, romantic story for teens has some edgy scenes.
-
Booksmart
Superb, smart teen comedy has drinking, strong sex talk.
-
American Pie
Ultra-raunchy sex comedy is a teen fave -- beware.
For kids who love teen tales
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate