Bros
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Lots of sex, language in hilarious gay romcom.

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Bros
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Based on 4 parent reviews
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Too much graphic sex and language.
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What's the Story?
In BROS, Bobby (Billy Eichner) hosts a gay-themed podcast and is struggling to open an LGBTQ+ museum. He believes that he's better off not being in a relationship and prefers the occasional hookup. At a club, he meets handsome Aaron (Luke Macfarlane), an unhappy lawyer who dreams of opening a chocolate shop. There's a clear attraction, but Aaron -- who prefers having sex with more than one partner -- is as reluctant as Bobby to let anything get too deep. But as they start spending time together, they discover, to their horror, that they're very good for each other. But when Bobby meets Aaron's parents at Christmastime and an old crush of Aaron's comes out as gay, the men have a huge argument. Can they find it in their hearts to give each other a second chance?
Is It Any Good?
Built on the creaky old bones of the romcom genre, this progressive landmark of a film fleshes itself out with a self-aware, slap-happy sense of humor. Here's hoping that the fresh, lovable result has wide appeal. Recognized as the first gay romantic comedy ever widely released in theaters by a major studio, Bros comes from the minds of writer and actor Eichner, writer-director Nicholas Stoller, and producer Judd Apatow. Their combined expertise results in a movie that's funny and honest. Many jokes will particularly resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences, but even more are universal, and many of those land with belly laughs, especially the scenes that parody Hallmark Christmas movies and co-star Bowen Yang's bonkers moments.
Bros isn't shy about sex: It depicts -- with a lot of flesh yet without much graphic nudity -- situations with multiple partners and odd or awkward encounters, contrasting those with moments of actual trust and love. The romance sequences also feel spot-on, as characters attempt to balance opening up to another person with fears of getting hurt. Dating montages, cameos by various stars, the Big Argument, characters becoming better people to earn their partners back, and the final Grand Gesture will all feel familiar to those well-versed in romcoms -- sometimes too familiar for a movie that runs almost two hours -- but there's an energy that powers through them, maintaining viewers' goodwill. Overall, Bros feels like a solid combination of bold and safe, funny and touching. Perhaps it will join some of its heteronormative inspirations, like When Harry Met Sally, as a re-watchable favorite.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Bros' depiction of sex. What values are imparted? What's the difference between hookups and sex between people in a relationship?
Does Bros' recognition as the first gay romcom to get a wide theatrical release by a major studio create higher than usual expectations for the film? Does it meet those expectations?
How are drugs (poppers, steroids, testosterone) depicted here? Are substances glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How authentically does the movie represent people in the LGBTQ+ community? Did you notice any stereotypes? Why is diverse representation in the media important?
Do you consider the characters role models? Are some of the real-life people in the movie (Harvey Fierstein, Amanda Bearse, etc.) role models?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 30, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: November 22, 2022
- Cast: Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane, Bowen Yang
- Director: Nicholas Stoller
- Studio: Universal
- Genre: Comedy
- Character Strengths: Communication
- Run time: 115 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong sexual content, language throughout and some drug use
- Last updated: March 29, 2023
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