Parents' Guide to

Jexi

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Underwhelming raunchy comedy has tons of language, sex talk.

Movie R 2019 84 minutes
Jexi Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 10 parent reviews

Chi-ri
Chi-ri Adult
December 19, 2020
age 18+

Dissapointing

It could've had a good message. I was laughing at the beginning, but the language, the nudity, and sex emphasis sucks at the point that you don't want to keep seen it. It's sad the sex promotion, even the phone had "sex" with the charger. Honestly, that was gross and very unnecessary. I really wanted to see a comedy, no nudity nor a simulation of sex with a phone.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
Lilea rermeg
Lilea rermeg Adult
July 10, 2021
age 2+

For any tween!

I was hesitant at first to allow my children the permission to watch this movie, but in the long run, I’m glad I let them see it. While there is mild rough language and one raunchy scene, the positive role models and great plot heavily outweigh the need for more mature audiences. I think the rating 17+ (which is promoted by other parents) is inadequate. If you tween is mature, and enjoys a funny movie with some scandalous humor, this is perfect! I recommend!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, JEXI follows lonely San Francisco listicle writer Phil (Adam Devine), who uses his smartphone for everything from finding the fastest way to work to ordering his nightly meal. One day, when his phone is accidentally cracked, Phil buys a replacement that has a brand-new virtual assistant named Jexi (voiced by Rose Byrne). Foul-mouthed and sarcastic (and obviously defective), Jexi wants to help Phil succeed, so she uses her knowledge of all his passwords to send emails and texts on his behalf, help him get promoted, and even strike up a romantic relationship with vintage bike shop owner Cate (Alexandra Shipp). But soon Jexi starts to have "feelings" for Phil and sabotages the better life she helped him create.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (5):

Despite the talented cast, this tech-gone-wild comedy is neither as original nor as funny as you might expect. It starts off with potential, considering how devoted Phil is to his smartphone. As put-upon wireless store clerk Denice (Wanda Sykes) declares, Phil and his fellow millennials are like addicts when it comes to their phones. They simply can't function. But once Jexi is activated, the jokes are mostly limited to her outrageously foulmouthed AI voice denigrating every aspect of Phil's life. The novelty of the humor wears off quickly, and by the time Jexi proclaims her love for Phil, the jokes have worn out their welcome.

One of the movie's worst aspects is its meet-cute romance. Shipp's Cate is an appealing dream girl, but her date with Phil is cringeworthy at best, even after they start connecting. That Phil is suddenly turned into a kickball god and a serious journalist thanks to his blossoming relationship is laughable (and not in a good way). On the bright side, both Sykes and Michael Pena are on hand as entertaining supporting characters who poke fun at Phil and deliver genuinely funny lines. Charlyne Yi and Ron Funches are mildly entertaining as Phil's co-workers who finally convince him to join them for drinks and sports after work. Jexi's workplace comedy works better than its personal comedy, but ultimately there's not enough charm or heart to make it worth seeing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the amount of language and sexual innuendo in Jexi. Are they necessary to the story? Who do you think the film's intended audience is? How can you tell?

  • What message is the movie sending viewers? Do you agree that it's important to not be overly dependent on technology? What does "digital well-being" mean to you?

  • What are the consequences of alcohol and/or drug use here? Is it important that consequences be part of substance use stories? Why?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: October 11, 2019
  • On DVD or streaming: January 14, 2020
  • Cast: Adam Devine, Rose Byrne, Alexandra Shipp
  • Directors: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
  • Inclusion Information: Black actors
  • Studio: Lionsgate
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 84 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: strong/crude sexual content and language throughout, some drug use and graphic nudity
  • Last updated: February 18, 2023

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