We Need to Talk
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
We Need to Talk
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.
Suggest an 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 We Need to Talk is a 2022 romcom in which a self-obsessed internet celebrity with a successful gaming channel must find a way to make amends for his selfish behavior. There's strong language throughout, including "f--k" and "motherf--ker." While gaming, the lead character and his friends often use curse words, and one of the gamers with the strongest language is a young tween. Some graphic talk of sex acts, genitalia. Cigarette smoking in a scene. Beer drinking in a bar. Characters play a first-person shooter game called "Head Shot Heroes" -- violence in the game. In the real world, a fight almost breaks out between a boyfriend and a man he believes is trying to date his girlfriend.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Through his massively popular gaming channel, "Great Scott Gamer" (James Maslow) is the very definition of an internet celebrity and social media influencer in WE NEED TO TALK. In the real world, he's so focused on generating more content and maintaining a relationship with his followers that he's unable to realize that he's tuning out his real-life relationship with his longtime girlfriend Aly. After a morning in which he's particularly oblivious to her needs, Aly tells Scott "We need to talk" before leaving for work. For the rest of the day, Scott obsesses on what "We need to talk means," and when he crowdsources this question to his followers and gamer friends, they all tell him the same thing: Aly is about to dump him. Unable to reach Aly at work, Scott also finds that she left her phone at home and suspects that he's about to be single after being with Aly for ten years. Scott must confront his self-centered and egotistical behavior, and decide whether or not it's more important to be internet famous or to have good friends and a romantic partner in the real world.
Is It Any Good?
Finally: a romcom for gamers. We Need to Talk is a mix of a crass comedy in which foul-mouthed gamers endlessly troll each other out of love and/or spite, and an earnestly thoughtful lesson on how real-life relationships are better than the validation of anonymous internet strangers every single time. The basic premise is that the lead character Scott's longtime girlfriend Aly's parting words to him before leaving for work are "We need to talk." After crowdsourcing interpretations as to what Aly meant by these words, Scott is led to believe that Aly is breaking up with him, and now he must learn to refocus his priorities before he loses his real-life girlfriend and real-life best friend.
Sans the gaming culture and social media drama, this premise seems like something from a Seinfeld episode circa the last couple seasons when the shark was in the process of jumping. Still, it mostly rings true, if overblown and hammy at times. In the end, the sincerity of the message wins out over the movie's shortcomings.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong language in We Need to Talk. Is the profanity and crass humor intended to realistically convey how gamer friends (and enemies) talk and troll each other, or does it come across as excessive? Why?
How does the movie address the issue of having a life in reality with face-to-face relationships with friends and romantic partners versus finding human connection, fulfillment, and validation through an internet persona?
How is this similar to and different from other romcoms you've seen?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 13, 2022
- Cast: James Maslow, Tray Chaney, Emily Bett Rickards
- Director: Todd Wolfe
- Studio: Global Digital Releasing
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 83 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 27, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Hating Game
Chemistry between charming leads sells steamy romcom.
-
Like Me
Hypnotic experimental movie about millennial malaise.
-
Choose or Die
Horror tale about '80s video game; gore, violence, language.
For kids who love romcoms
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