Parents' Guide to IRL: In Real Love

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IRL: In Real Love TV poster: Four South Asian men and women pose against a light blue and green background.

Common Sense Media Review

Susan Yudt By Susan Yudt , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Dull dating show has sexual banter, cursing, and drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

  • A South Asian man and woman sit at a picnic table in a grassy field, sharing a meal and toasting each other with red glasses.
  • A South Asian woman in a red dress and a South Asian man in a sweatshirt and jeans sit on a bed talking to each other in a colorful room.
  • A South Asian man in a plaid shirt talks to a South Asian woman wearing green as they sit at a table in a restaurant.

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What's the Story?

IRL: IN REAL LOVE focuses on two women and two men looking for romance. Some singles they meet in person for speed dates, and others they connect with online through a chat app called Meet Cute that was created for the show (similar to The Circle's talk-to-text platform). After spending more time with their dates, the four main cast members narrow down their options in the hope of making a perfect match. The show is filmed in India and includes dialogue in both English and Hindi with English subtitles.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

The show bills itself as an experiment to see whether dating in real life or online is better, but the premise falls flat: What difference does it make if they'll all meet in person eventually? It's uncomfortable to watch the singles chat with their suitors online -- their conversations are filled with cringey attempts at flirty banter and awkward silences. Regardless of the setup, IRL: In Real Love is missing the key ingredient that makes dating shows sparkle: cast members with chemistry and connection.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dating shows. Is it really possible for people to make genuine connections with each other on TV? Do you think everyone on IRL: In Real Love was acting the way they normally would on a date?

  • Talk about how the singles represented themselves online. What kinds of photos did they choose and why? What do you think about how they described themselves?

  • Talk about dating apps. Why do they appeal to people? What are their potential risks?

TV Details

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

IRL: In Real Love TV poster: Four South Asian men and women pose against a light blue and green background.

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