Parents Guide – The Threesome (2025)

• The Threesome is Rated R by Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for sexual material, language and brief drug use.
• I did not find a BBFC (UK) or Common-Sense Media official rating at the time of writing.
• Likely appropriate only for older teens and adults (17+ in the U.S.), given mature sexual content, implied consequences (pregnancy, intimacy), and adult dialogue

Story Summary (spoiler-light)

I walked into The Threesome expecting a cheeky rom-com with a provocative premise and left having experienced something a bit more tangled, emotionally risky, and human. Directed by Chad Hartigan, this is less a purely frothy exploration of a sexy night and more a meditation on what happens after the fallout.

The film opens with Connor (Jonah Hauer-King), who’s been nursing feelings for his friend Olivia (Zoey Deutch) for ages. One evening, Olivia pushes things forward not just with Connor, but with Jenny (Ruby Cruz), a stranger drawn into their orbit. That night becomes a turning point. It’s not shown in graphic detail; instead, the camera lets the aftermath speak louder than the act itself.

What starts as a provocative setup expands into a three-person study in expectation, regret, and messy love. When Jenny re-enters the picture, the trio must contend with secrets, shifting loyalties, and what it means to be honest especially with themselves. The script won’t let you drift along in complacent romantic fantasy; every choice ripples outward.

Deutch, Cruz, and Hauer-King carry the story with surprising weight. Olivia is smart and impulsive, often playing the provocateur, and Deutch gives her vulnerability behind the bold posture. Jenny is quieter, reserved by belief and history, and Cruz brings a dignity to her that makes us root for her even when she’s hurt. Connor is less consistent at times earnest, at times frustratingly moody but the script uses him as the pivot of misunderstanding and emotional dissonance.

The movie is uneven in tone. It flirts with romance, comedy, and serious drama and not always seamlessly. Some scenes feel like a classic screwball setup; others feel raw, vulnerable, and a little heartbreaking. But when it lands, its insights sting. Conversations about choice, empathy, and accepting consequences feel earned. You realize quickly that Hartigan isn’t interested in wrapping all of this up neatly.

Parents should be aware: this is an adult story. It features sexual intimacy (handled discreetly, but still integral), references to drinking and brief drug use, and sharp emotional conflict. It’s a film for people who can take on nuance, recognize moral gray zones, and sit with discomfort.

But if your teen already watches mature dramas or romantic films, The Threesome might be a provocative but worthy step. It’s messy, imperfect, occasionally frustrating, but also full of heart. It doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s precisely its strength.

Verdict: A thoughtful, uneasy marriage of romantic impulse and real-life consequence. Best for mature viewers who are comfortable with intimacy and emotional turbulence but don’t expect a neat, comfy rom-com ride.

Detailed Content Breakdown for Parents

(This is to help you decide whether your teen is ready, and what to flag ahead of time.)

Violence & Intensity: There is no significant physical violence or action-oriented threat. Most conflict is emotional, relational, or confrontational.Some scenes may feel tense or dramatic — arguments, tears, betrayal, moments of panic but nothing graphic.

Language: Frequent use of strong profanity (f-words, s-words, etc.), Some sexual slang.No known explicit slurs directed at protected groups (based on reviews), though mature sexual and relational language occurs.The tone is often frank, blunt, sometimes awkward — language is used to push emotional buttons.

Sexual Content / Nudity: Sexual themes are central to the plot. The concept of a threesome is the inciting incident.The film does not linger on explicit visuals; much of the intimate act is implied or kept offscreen. There is a “shower sex” scene in the morning after, involving Connor and Jenny. Pregnancy and abortion discussions/decisions are integral to the conflict.

Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking” Characters are drinking in social settings (bars, clubs) alcohol plays a role in loosened inhibitions. Brief drug use is noted in the official rating; it’s not a major plot driver.  Smoking is not a major emphasis in reviews.

Scary or Disturbing Scenes: Emotional trauma, betrayal, tears: Olivia’s panic, Jenny’s surprise, confrontations, and the fear of raising a child under complex circumstances.The emotional stakes and relationship fallout can feel heavy.Some viewer discomfort due to the relational mess, moral questions, and emotional honesty.

Positive Takeaways: Real love is messy it doesn’t always come with a guarantee, but recognizing that allows for deeper empathy and honesty.Mistakes don’t erase someone’s ability to change or ask for forgiveness (though it doesn’t excuse irresponsibility).The film encourages owning one’s choices and striving to act with integrity, even in messy redo attempts.It doesn’t pretend that life’s surprises (pregnancy, heartbreak, betrayal) are easily resolved which can lead to more grounded conversations about responsibility, consent, and emotional boundaries.

Parental Concerns / Potential Surprises

• The title may attract teens looking for erotic content; it is sexual, but not gratuitous.
• The pregnancy/baby twist is central; if your child is uncomfortable or uninterested in such material, this could be emotionally heavy.
• Some plot points may feel morally ambiguous or trigger guilt or confusion for impressionable minds.
• The film uses alcohol, heartbreak, and emotional confrontation; these may intensify teenage anxieties.

Highly Recommended: