Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute opposites-attract romcom has teen drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Kissing Is the Easy Part
What's the Story?
In KISSING IS THE EASY PART, overachiever Sean Foster (Asher Angel) only cares about studying so he can get into MIT. And popular Flora Morgan (Paris Berelc) only cares about her social life. But when Flora's parents—renowned scientists—realize that Flora tends to take on her boyfriends' interests while they're dating, they offer Sean a deal he can't refuse: They'll get him into the school of his dreams if he'll date and educate their daughter.
Is It Any Good?
Giggling is the easy part of this YA romcom, which is cute, funny, and totally meant for teens to watch in groups. Somewhat more difficult is wading through the ethical murkiness of Sean taking compensation to date Flora. Initially, viewers may not feel so bad about it, because Flora at first seems like she might be a "mean girl" who's using Sean to suit her own purposes. Since they both appear to be entering the relationship in a situation not too unlike How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, we're able to let go and enjoy. Until the inevitable happens: love. And, as Flora tries to take their relationship to the next level, worry might set in. Having an ulterior motive to date someone and—surprise!—the relationship then turns into the real deal is the stuff that romcoms are made of. But getting paid to date someone when real emotions are involved is absolutely out of bounds. Happily, the movie's resolution is more appropriate (and satisfying) for modern viewers' sensibilities than some of the tidy bows that got put on romcoms in the 2000s.
In the end, the messages are that we're more than our labels, and love can't sustain being built on a foundation of lies. And, for parents, there's an extra layer. Kids wear their parents' expectations on their heart, and if those expectations are low or dismissive, then kids very well might live down to them. Viewers will discover there's much more to Sean and Flora than they originally thought, and the same can be said for Kissing Is the Easy Part overall.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the story resolves in Kissing Is the Easy Part. Did you think it was the appropriate ending? How did you expect the movie to end, based on other romantic comedies you've seen?
Teens: Is your school's social system divided into cliques? What are they? Is it hard to slide into a different group?
Does the movie glamorize or normalize teen drinking? How does the film indicate the real-life consequences that may happen over time?
What is the "opposites attract" cliché? Do you think this frequently used plotline holds true in real life?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : February 13, 2026
- Cast : Asher Angel , Paris Berelc
- Director : Fawzia Mirza
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Lesbian Movie Director(s) , Queer Movie Director(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Tubi
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Book Characters , School ( High School )
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 24, 2026
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