Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Raunchy teen comedy explodes with sex and language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sex Appeal
What's the Story?
Avery (Mika Abdalla) is a star student with a bright future at MIT who is planning to lose her virginity in SEX APPEAL. Before she spends the night with long-distance boyfriend Casper (Mason Versaw) at a STEM conference, she decides to practice some sexual techniques with her best friend Larson (Jake Short). Approaching the research scientifically, she also interviews everyone she knows for ideas. Her investigation gives her the idea of developing an app to prep you for good sex, which she can present at STEMcon. Problem is, Avery doesn't seem to notice that Larson has long been in love with her and their experimentation is only deepening that connection for him.
Is It Any Good?
Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets Clueless in this update on the teen sex comedy that manages to be both innocent and at times shockingly raunchy. The naivety comes from Sex Appeal's earnest main character (a convincing Abdalla), who pursues sexual knowledge and experience with an academic intensity. Her three moms and her high school friends are a portrait of decency, even while openly discussing explicit sexual and anatomical concepts. They also play against type (according to high school movies) -- the cheerleader is the prude, the jock always gets in trouble, the bespectacled Asian guy seems to know the most about pleasing a woman, and the love interest (Disney alum Short), who looks like a young, curly-haired Justin Bateman, plays the trumpet.
Some of the funniest scenes in Sex Appeal happen when characters orgasm: these are envisioned as elaborate and hilarious stage sets (Esther Williams-ish synchronized swimming numbers or a Grease-style ballad, for example). They're meant to portray the sheer wonderment the characters are feeling, how physical pleasure transports them each to their own magical worlds. The actors charmingly convey the irrepressible hormonal energy and excitement of first love. Paris Jackson's cameo as a world-weary and sexually experienced older lady is a great addition. Sex Appeal will turn some viewers off, but what it aims to do, it does with originality and wit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the advice the moms give Avery in Sex Appeal. Did you feel they gave good and appropriate advice? Why do you think parent-teen conversations about sex can so often be awkward? Why are they necessary?
The film turns some typical movie stereotypes of high schoolers upside down. What examples did you see of this?
There are a lot of references to other movies in this film. What are some that you noticed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 14, 2022
- Cast : Mika Abdalla , Jake Short , Paris Jackson
- Director : Talia Osteen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Hulu
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : STEM , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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