Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wilson, Vaughn reteam for goofy comedy with sex humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Internship
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say the movie features a goofy comedy with humorous moments from the lead actors but contains a significant amount of crude humor and inappropriate scenes, particularly a lengthy strip club scene. While it delivers positive messages about teamwork and perseverance, many critics agree it's more suited for older teens due to its sexual content and swearing.
- crude humor
- inappropriate scenes
- teamwork message
- suited for teens
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Nick and Billy (Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, the dynamite comedic duo from The Wedding Crashers) are middle-age salesmen -- not especially successful ones -- who suddenly find themselves unemployed. Against all odds, the pair, who can barely manage email, land internships at Google, where their total lack of tech savvy and dated 1980s references make them stand out in a room crowded with brilliant college kids. The program requires them to compete against other interns in a series of challenges that exposes their inadequacy -- the winners land real jobs at Google, and the rest go home.
Is It Any Good?
Nostalgia runs firmly through this enjoyable comedy. Nostalgia for a pre-Google era when romantic prospects were still mysteries to be solved by getting to know someone, kids and grown-ups weren't metaphorically handcuffed to their devices, and business was transacted face to face and not, as one character puts it, "on the line." It's good fodder for a movie, but The Internship also reminds us of a kinder, gentler time when the joyful, meandering banter of Wilson and Vaughn was still fresh, unmined by the countless bromances spawned by movies like The Wedding Crashers. But here, it's just one of too many in a genre that's long been played out.
Still: We have here the masters of the form. Wilson and Vaughn share an undeniable, irresistible chemistry. They're the best thing about the movie, which suffers somewhat from very dated and tired references -- can we really not find anything else to resuscitate from the archives besides Flashdance? And are Quidditch jokes still a thing? -- and setups that feel like they make sense in the era of the Internet 1.0. The lessons learned are trite -- set aside the electronics for a while and live a little, and yay teamwork! -- but still relevant.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages in The Internship. How do Nick and Billy's weaknesses turn into strengths during the course of the film? What do the filmmakers think is more important, understanding people or understanding computers?
The film glorifies Google, as both a place to work and as a company that's dedicated to making the world a better place. Do you think Google is really that special? Or is this picture a little too rosy?
The movie portrays a strip club as a place to unwind and let loose. Is this the kind of place your friends and family go to relax and enjoy themselves? Why do you think the filmmakers chose to feature this locale in the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 7, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2013
- Cast : Owen Wilson , Rose Byrne , Vince Vaughn
- Director : Shawn Levy
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexuality, some crude humor, partying and language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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