How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Sidney Young is a down-on-his-luck journalist. Thanks to a stint involving a pig and a glitzy awards ceremony, Sidney turns his fortunes around, attracting the attention of Clayton Harding, editor of New York-based glossy magazine 'Sharps', and landing the holy grail of journalism jobs. The Brit jets off to the Big Apple and moves from one blunder to the next.
Rated R • 2008 • 1h 50m
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) is rated R primarily for frequent strong language, several scenes of nudity/sexualized gags, and brief drug material. Parents should be aware of on-screen breasts and rear nudity (including an office strip scene with a pre‑/post‑op trans reveal used for comic shock), persistent profanity (many f-words), drinking and a short cocaine-seeking scene, and an upsetting accidental death of a dog… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is How to Lose Friends & Alienate People appropriate for kids?
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) is rated R primarily for frequent strong language, several scenes of nudity/sexualized gags, and brief drug material. Parents should be aware of on-screen breasts and rear nudity (including an office strip scene with a pre‑/post‑op… Read more — free account
Content severity in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
What happens in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, moment by moment
- 0:12 ♥ Sex & Nudity 4/10
- 0:18 💬 Language 7/10
- 0:22 🍷 Substances 4/10
Sex and nudity in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Moderate-to-strong sexual content and explicit nudity appears several times. Specific moments: a woman strips in an office exposing her breasts while wearing obviously fake genitals (presented as a pre-op trans joke and seen by a wife and children), brief topless/underwear exposure at parties, and multiple instances of rear nudity. IMDb Parents Guide flags these scenes and notes that breasts and bare buttocks are shown on a few occasions.
Violence and gore in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Mostly mild physical comedy and scuffles, but one emotionally upsetting incident: Sidney accidentally kills actress Sophie Maes' dog (non-graphic) and conceals it. There are a few minor fights and a public on-stage confrontation near the end that becomes physical; injuries are minor and not graphic.
Language in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Frequent strong profanity throughout the film, including many uses of the f-word and other crude sexual terms; the IMDb Parents Guide documents around 28 uses of 'f***' plus numerous other vulgarities. The language is a consistent element of the film’s tone and appears in professional and social settings.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Moderate alcohol use and drunkenness in bars and parties; a brief scene involves an attempt to obtain cocaine to enhance sexual prospects. Characters smoke in background scenes but smoking is not a central focus.
Mature themes in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People
Recurring adult themes: career ambition and ethical compromise, public humiliation and the cult of celebrity, workplace affairs (Alison and Lawrence), and identity used for comic effect (the transgender reveal is played as a gag). The accidental death of a pet (Sophie’s dog) is a clear emotional beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is How to Lose Friends & Alienate People appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests How to Lose Friends & Alienate People is best for ages 13+. It's rated R. How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) is rated R primarily for frequent strong language, several scenes of nudity/sexualized gags, and brief drug material. Parents should be aware of on-screen breasts and rear…
What age rating does How to Lose Friends & Alienate People have?
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is How to Lose Friends & Alienate People about?
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) is rated R primarily for frequent strong language, several scenes of nudity/sexualized gags, and brief drug material. Parents should be aware of on-screen breasts and rear nudity (including an office strip scene with a pre‑/post‑op trans reveal used for comic shock)…
Is there sex or nudity in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People?
Moderate-to-strong sexual content and explicit nudity appears several times. Specific moments: a woman strips in an office exposing her breasts while wearing obviously fake genitals (presented as a pre-op trans joke and seen by a wife and children), brief…
How violent is How to Lose Friends & Alienate People?
Mostly mild physical comedy and scuffles, but one emotionally upsetting incident: Sidney accidentally kills actress Sophie Maes' dog (non-graphic) and conceals it. There are a few minor fights and a public on-stage confrontation near the end that becomes…
Is the language in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People appropriate for kids?
Frequent strong profanity throughout the film, including many uses of the f-word and other crude sexual terms; the IMDb Parents Guide documents around 28 uses of 'f***' plus numerous other vulgarities. The language is a consistent element of the film’s tone…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People?
Moderate alcohol use and drunkenness in bars and parties; a brief scene involves an attempt to obtain cocaine to enhance sexual prospects. Characters smoke in background scenes but smoking is not a central focus.
What mature themes appear in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People?
Recurring adult themes: career ambition and ethical compromise, public humiliation and the cult of celebrity, workplace affairs (Alison and Lawrence), and identity used for comic effect (the transgender reveal is played as a gag). The accidental death of a…
How long is How to Lose Friends & Alienate People?
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People runs 110 minutes, directed by Robert B. Weide, released in 2008.
Where can I read the full How to Lose Friends & Alienate People parent guide?
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