Movie 43

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Movie 43 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

Depraved, unfunny anthology comedy wastes tons of talent.

R 2013 97 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 17+

Based on 9 reviews

Kids say

age 16+

Based on 22 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Movie 43 is a collection of short but over-the-top comedy films (directed by the likes of Peter Farrelly) that are tied together with a wraparound sequence about a writer making a pitch at a Hollywood studio. The content is astoundingly vulgar, loaded with sex (including full-frontal female nudity) and sexual innuendo, depravity, the foulest language imaginable ("f--k," "s--t," and much more), some violence, and drinking and drug use. The film boasts an incredible cast of talented actors and a funny trailer, so teens will no doubt be interested in seeing it. But the situations are so depraved and of a negative nature that any and all potential viewers are hereby warned.

Community Reviews

RichManGold
RichManGold Adult
December 20, 2020
age 16+

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
myopinionisbest
myopinionisbest Adult
May 23, 2017
age 14+

The worst movie I've ever seen

Wow, just wow. I'm astonished. I've seen over a thousand movies in my life, and out of all of them, this is the worst. Its worse than The Garbage Pail Kids Movie, After Last Season, and Ren Seeks Help. This is the worst, most pointless, hollow, and lazy excuse for a theatrical feature I've ever seen. There is no vision or creativity here, its literally just a bunch of unrelated 5-minute skits. I could at least give this movie some credit if the skits were funny at all, but they're not. They're all disgusting and repulsive. As I sat through the first skit, I was like "well that sucked, maybe the next one will be better". After the next four, I was like "well maybe one of them will make me laugh". I was wrong. The rest was just a vapid, soulless, agonizing experience. I didn't laugh, chuckle, or even involuntarily smile during this whole movie. The whole product just feels cynically slapped together with no respect for its audience and for the sole purpose of making money. Many of the celebrities they got were either bribed or guilt tripped into being in their skits. This isn't even a real movie; its like a bunch of unfunny YouTube videos mashed together. Think of the 15 worst Smosh videos you've seen, and watch them back to back. That's basically this movie but with more depraved sexually graphic content and random celebrities. You'd have a lot more fun watching YouTube videos for 90 minutes than watching Movie 43. Normally I have no problem with gross and inappropriate content, but only if there's a point. Movies like this are the reason IMDB should allow a 0-star rating. This movie is nothing. This movie deserves nothing. Therefore, I shall give it nothing. 0/10.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A screenwriter (Dennis Quaid) pitches several story ideas to a Hollywood executive (Greg Kinnear). Among them is one about a woman (Kate Winslet) who goes on a blind date with a man (Hugh Jackman) who has testicles hanging from his neck. In another story, a couple (Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber) homeschools their teen son and tries to offer him the humiliations of high school as well as the lessons. In another, a woman asks her boyfriend to poop on her during sex. Then a company has technical issues with its new "iBabe" line of iPods, and an Internet date turns into a cruel game of "truth or dare." And so it goes. Does the movie ever get made? Who cares?

Is It Any Good?

This movie's so bad it may acquire legendary status someday; but then again, maybe not. Twelve directors came together for this anthology film, with Peter Farrelly taking the connecting, wraparound sequence as well as the first short. It's one of his worst efforts, sinking too far into so-called shocking, vulgar humor and too little into any kind of emotional connection to real-life experiences. Other directors -- including Brett Ratner, James Gunn, Rusty Cundieff, and Griffin Dunne -- don't fare any better.

The wonderful comic actress Elizabeth Banks makes her directorial debut with her segment -- about a teen girl getting her first period -- but it's frenetic and cruel and doesn't suggest much of a future for this part of her career. MOVIE 43 is the kind of film that makes you wonder which sequences are the most irresponsible and depraved and what these talented people were thinking to get involved with such a project.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Movie 43's sexual situations. Are there any relationships in the movie that could be defined as healthy or positive? What messages does the movie send about sex?

  • Some segments revolve around cruelty to children and teens. Are they funny? Why or why not? Who are they intended to appeal to?

  • In the final sequence, an animated cat is involved in some of the movie's most depraved humor. Does the fact that the cat isn't real affect the impact of those scenes?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • The Hangover Poster Image

    The Hangover

    Funny, yes, but chock-full of alcohol-fueled adult content.

    age 17+
  • Knocked Up Poster Image

    Knocked Up

    Raunchy but tender comedy about sex and parenthood.

    age 17+
  • Role Models Poster Image

    Role Models

    Coarse adult comedy elicits some big laughs.

    age 17+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate