Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark 1990s holiday comedy has violence, language, innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Mixed Nuts
What's the Story?
MIXED NUTS is a dark 1990s comedy based on the 1982 French comedy film Le Père Noël est une Ordure (Santa Claus is a Stinker). The story follows Phillip (Steve Martin), the head of a suicide-prevention hotline business, who learns on Christmas Eve that the company is about to be evicted, which kicks off a wild chain of events. Along with his co-workers Mrs. Munchnik (Madeline Kahn) and Catherine (Rita Wilson) and a cast of supporting characters ranging from a pregnant woman (Juliette Lewis) with relationship problems to a transgender woman (Liev Schreiber) who's dealing with loneliness and identity issues, Phillip grapples with his own problems dealing with life and love. Ultimately, Phillip's landlord is killed, and the characters panic about what to do with the body. Can Phillip calm the chaos in his personal life and his business life in time to save Christmas?
Is It Any Good?
Despite an all-star cast, this is one of Martin and director Nora Ephron's least funny comedies. While the focus on mental health and humor might seem likely to bring a fresh twist to the usual holiday movie plotline, Mixed Nuts ends up short on laughs. It has missed punchlines, a lack of successful physical comedy moments, and an overall dark, sarcastic comic tone that hasn't aged well over time. Underplaying the importance of suicide prevention backfires: This holiday film takes a turn for the worse with a series of unbelievable events featuring even more unbelievable characters in an attempt to save both Philip's failing business and his love life.
Complex issues like suicide and mental health are addressed with sarcasm and dark comedy, which could send mixed messages, especially to younger viewers. That, plus the movie's violence, strong language, and sexual innuendo, seals the deal on making it best for mature audiences. Honestly, there's very little there that's likely to appeal to kids anyway -- except maybe an early appearance by Adam Sandler being Adam Sandler.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how topics of suicide prevention and mental health are addressed in Mixed Nuts. Is the movie successful in its messaging on the importance of mental health and suicide prevention? What resources are available to help both kids and adults?
How do the characters demonstrate perseverance in the film?
Why do you think people can be especially sad/lonely during the holidays? Why is it important to communicate your feelings when you're feeling low?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 21, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : April 16, 2012
- Cast : Steve Martin , Madeline Kahn , Juliette Lewis
- Director : Nora Ephron
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : TriStar Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Holidays
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sex-related humor
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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