Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong language, suicide in dark British comedy drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Trouble with Jessica
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE TROUBLE WITH JESSICA, married couple Richard (Rufus Sewell) and Beth (Olivia Williams) arrive at the home of Sarah (Shirley Henderson) and Tom (Alan Tudyk), with unexpected guest Jessica (Indira Varma) in tow. As the dinner party progresses, tension builds and old dynamics come to the surface. When the night takes an unexpected turn, the friends' lives are thrown into chaos and they're forced into a life-changing decision.
Is It Any Good?
This talky but clever drama is saturated with dark comedy and a claustrophobic, stage-bound feel that will appeal to theater fans. In The Trouble with Jessica, a group of middle-aged friends gather for a dinner party—a setting that never fails to bring out secrets and lies, and a few surprising plot twists. Here, Richard, Beth, and Jessica arrive at the sleek home of seemingly successful couple Sarah and Tom. But behind the scenes, they're on the cusp of bankruptcy and desperate to offload their swanky London pad. When they're faced with an unexpected turn of events that might affect the house sale, they test the boundaries of their friendships, the law, and their own morals to try to protect their future. It's an interesting study of roles within long-term friendships, and how easily things turn when people say or do the unexpected. The jazz score adds to the sense of tension and chaos, and leans into the playful vibe that writer-director Matt Winn establishes almost immediately and maintains well for the 89-minute run time. Fun and disturbing in equal measure, fans of a strong ensemble cast and dark humor that creeps into the inappropriate will likely enjoy this wayward satire of the upper-middle class.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of friendship in The Trouble with Jessica. How was the group dynamic portrayed? What did we learn about the past and what did characters expect of each other in the present and future based on their friendship? Did you think the relationships were good examples of friendships? Why, or why not?
Suicide is a central theme in the film. How was it treated? Did you think it was approached with sensitivity or purely in the interest of humor? Can you think of any other comedies that deal with the subject, and how do they compare?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this?
How did the film portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
The movie has an ensemble cast, rather than a main star, and they're all on-screen for the majority of the time. How did that affect your experience of the film? Did you have a favorite character, or one that stood out to you? Can you think of other ensemble movies? How do they compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 25, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : May 20, 2025
- Cast : Shirley Henderson , Alan Tudyk , Rufus Sewell , Olivia Williams
- Director : Matt Winn
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Music Box Films
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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