Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun but vulgar friendship/foodie road-trip comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tripped Up
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In TRIPPED UP, Lizzy (Leah Lewis) dreams of being a chef. But while she's on a cooking competition TV show, her work is sabotaged by her competitor, and she winds up disgraced. Years later, she's working an exhausting job at the "fish station" for a tyrannical chef. But when a slot opens up at the outdoor Saucy Food Festival, Lizzy jumps at the chance. She drags along her three lifelong best friends -- Mary (Ashley Moore), Kai (Ariel Winter), and Taylor (Sasha Fox) -- for a weekend of mishaps, arguments, delicious food, renewing old bonds, and finding new ones.
Is It Any Good?
Though lightweight and predictable, this road-trip comedy with yummy food is often delightful, thanks mostly to the genuine -- and very funny -- chemistry between the four main characters. At one point in Tripped Up, Taylor explains to a new friend that, while she has little in common with her friends today, they have bonds that run back years and go deep, and they know each other in ways that no one else could. This unique friendship comes through in wonderful ways, via shorthand references, relentless teasing, vulgar jokes, constant bickering, and heartfelt makeups. Viewers get a decent idea of their individual personalities, too, even without much down time.
It's all so pleasing and cheerful that you're not likely to mind the tacked-on romantic subplots, the montages, and all of the other generic stuff. Additionally, for a food movie, this one doesn't seem to linger much over the delectables; it's pretty, but not as visceral as a good food movie could be. It doesn't make you hungry. But in the end, Tripped Up does leave you feeling good, like a refreshing weekend getaway.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Tripped Up's representations. Are diverse characters represented in a positive, three-dimensional way? Why does that matter?
How do characters demonstrate teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
How does the movie depict female friendships? Why are stories about positive female friendships relatively rare in the media?
Why is it important for women to be (and to have) mentors? Why does Patricia encourage Lizzy, while Chef Missy is so discouraging?
How are drinking and drug use depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there realistic consequences?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 20, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : October 27, 2023
- Cast : Leah Lewis , Ashley Moore , Ariel Winter , Sasha Fox
- Director : Shruti Ganguly
- Studio : DECAL
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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