Project X

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Project X Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 18+

All-night-party movie has rampant teen sex, drinking, more.

R 2012 88 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 23 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 55 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 Project X -- a very raunchy comedy about three high school seniors who throw a huge party that spins wildly out of control -- is packed with constant strong language ("f--k," "s--t," and much more), topless teens, sexual situations, graphic sexual innuendo, and excessive teen drinking and drug use (Ecstasy and pot). Punches are thrown, and though there's no actual fighting, the party has an increasing air of danger and violence (a flamethrower appears in the final act). The movie is funny in a shocking way, but parents will be appalled at its message: that a shy teen "needs" a huge party to break out of his shell and become a social success, regardless of the fact that the cost is thousands of dollars in damage.

Community Reviews

Lisa M.
Lisa M. Adult
December 23, 2021
age 16+
Sex 10/10 There’s naked people and sex jokes Language 10/10 F*ck p*ssy mother*ucker b*tch di*k f*cking f*ckin f*cker mother*ucking bastard hell damn t*ts b**b other words like ho balls nuts ballsack nutsack and more curse words like ass asshole jackass ass hat dumbass dickhead dickwad bitches bitchface pussout puss cunt ect

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Bigjam
Bigjam Adult
February 12, 2021
age 12+

Great viewing. Jams approves

I think that this movie is exceptional, some reasoning for this is it may teach kids what not to do but it will also teach kids that there is no other way tk have fun and throwing massive party’s and making new friends and having new experiences. The drugs and the sex and alcohol is a part of life that everyone no matter what age will go through and if you sit there and think that your child is soecial you need to have a long hard sit and think back to when you were a kid and wanted tk do this type of stuff. I know for a fact that u would prefer my kid tk be honest with me and up front about things such as alcohol, sex and drugs because if I as a parent tech then that it’s a bsd thing they will only want tk do it more and try harder tk get away with it and become good at lying I think that this movie is a must see because of the fact that it’s a wild ride from start to finish, a great laugh and a great soundtrack too.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 23 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Thomas (Thomas Mann) is a quiet, shy high school senior living in Pasadena. His parents go out of town for the weekend, leaving him on his own for his birthday. His loudmouth pal, Costa (Oliver J. Cooper), who once lived in Queens, New York, arranges a party to help Thomas out of his shell and meet some girls. Their friend JB (Jonathan Daniel Brown), a bespectacled nerd whose exterior belies a suave party animal, helps. Thomas hopes for a small gathering and to keep revelers in the backyard and out of the house, but Costa theorizes that the bigger the party, the more it counts, and before long, thousands of people show up, and the night spins wildly out of control.

Is It Any Good?

This party truly is out of control -- and, frankly, shockingly funny at times. The all-night-party subgenre has been around for ages, including everything from American Graffiti and Sixteen Candles to Superbad. Though the parties seem to get crazier over the years, these movies almost always focus on young characters learning a lesson or coming of age. Not so in PROJECT X. Here, character is set aside to make room for a much more insane, out-of-control party experience, in which -- no matter how much damage is incurred or how much it costs -- it was worth it.

As the movie goes on and the party rages harder, the images become more and more primal, like half-glimpsed snippets of a nightmare experienced through a drunken fog. Project X takes the perspective that a great party is one in which we can turn off our brains and let our bodies go wild. But that doesn't change the fact that it's too intense for teens, and too disturbing for parents.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the teen drinking in Project X. What are the real-life consequences of alcohol and drug use? How does that compare to the consequences typically shown in movies?

  • How does the movie portray teen sex? Is there pressure for kids to have sex at this age? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

  • What lessons do the characters learn after their party? Do any of them justify the path it took to get there?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Superbad Poster Image

    Superbad

    Super bawdy, super profane -- and super funny.

    age 16+
  • Sixteen Candles Poster Image

    Sixteen Candles

    Racy, drunken, hilarious '80s high school comedy.

    age 16+
  • American Graffiti Poster Image

    American Graffiti

    Coming-of-age classic still a must-see for teens.

    age 13+

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