Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kissing, mild language in sweet holiday romcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
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Where to Watch
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Single All the Way
What's the Story?
After yet another romantic break-up, Hollywood social media manager Peter (Michael Urie) talks housemate and best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) into coming home with him for the holidays in SINGLE ALL THE WAY. Their plan to pretend to be a couple (to get Peter's family off his back) never takes off after Peter's mom (Kathy Najimy) announces she's set her son up on a blind date. Peter's surprised by what a catch the date, hunky trainer James (Luke Macfarlane), turns out to be, but his whole family starts scheming to get him and Nick together for real, once and for all.
Is It Any Good?
This romcom is pleasant, sweet, and wholesome, but also pretty immediately forgettable. Handsome, charismatic stars Michael Urie and Philemon Chambers play gay besties and housemates who discover they are actually in love in Single All the Way. There's a bit of funny snark at the film's opening, and some topical humor about the Homosexual Gay TV network (HGTV -- a "kind of" porn), or being an "Insta-gay," "guncle," and "FOMO-sexual." But once the men leave LA for small-town New Hampshire and Christmas holidays with their affluent and loving extended family, the film flattens out into formulaic blandness. It's like a Christmas cookie without the frosting.
Single All the Way looks and feels like other Netflix romcoms you've probably already seen, and the movie's poster is an unabashed copy of Love Actually's. It's probably a great sign that a gay romcom feels so conventional or familiar, and this one is decidedly targeted at a mainstream audience, but it could have been more. The ensemble cast has no shortage of gifted actors, led by Kathy Najimy as mom, Schitt's Creek alum Jennifer Robertson as big sis, Barry Bostwick as solid dad, and Jennifer Coolidge as the flamboyant "gays-love-me" aunt. Watch for a cameo by Najimy's hilarious singer-husband Dan Finnerty as well.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Single All the Way is similar to and different from other holiday-timed romantic comedies they've seen.
Did the characters in this film feel realistic? Why or why not?
Did you believe that the two male leads were deeply in love? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 2, 2021
- Cast : Michael Urie , Philomen Chambers , Kathy Najimy
- Director : Michael Mayer
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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