Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark, powerful, mature revenge comedy attacks rape culture.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Promising Young Woman
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say that this film tackles heavy themes like sexual violence, revenge, and empowerment, often blending dark humor with serious subject matter that can be both thought-provoking and triggering. While some found the performances engaging, others criticized awkward dialogue and the film's treatment of sensitive topics, suggesting it's essential for viewers to be prepared for its intense content.
- mature themes
- engaging performances
- dark humor
- triggering content
- strong messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Cassandra (Carey Mulligan) was considered a PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN until traumatic events led her to drop out of medical school several years earlier. Now she works at a coffee shop by day and by night is a vigilante who goes to bars and pretends to be drunk until some "nice," "decent" guy decides he'd better get her home "safely." If only they did. The cast also includes Alison Brie, Connie Britton, Bo Burnham, Laverne Cox, Adam Brody, Jennifer Coolidge, Max Greenfield, and more.
Is It Any Good?
Emerald Fennell's razor-sharp feature writing and directing debut could do for sexual assault what Fatal Attraction did with cheating: Scare men into thinking twice. Fennell flawlessly improves on Death Wish and I Spit on Your Grave-type films. Cassandra is too smart to engage in straight-up, eye-for-an-eye revenge; instead, she concocts a far more creative approach that makes the perpetrators -- and maybe viewers -- realize that they're not as nice as they think they are. Cassandra's method of forced empathy has the potential to have more impact and be more influential for creating change than a basketful of documentaries or Dateline episodes.
Promising Young Woman is effective because it's phenomenally entertaining. It's original, shrewd, unexpected, and smashingly executed. Funny, too. The humor isn't silly or slapstick, but acerbic, biting, and wicked. There's not an off note on any element of the filmmaking. And Mulligan's flawless performance as a woman who finds an odd sense of purpose through tragedy leads us to wonder: Is Cassie deeply flawed? Or is she the only one who truly sees clearly?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sexual assault and victim blaming. How does Promising Young Woman try to counter rape culture, compared to other films that have condoned or encouraged it, including Sixteen Candles and Revenge of the Nerds?
What's appealing about vigilante justice and revenge? How does this film compare to other films in that genre?
How can entertainment open minds and shift perspectives? Can you think of examples when society changed because of a movie? What long-term impact do you think this film could have?
How are drinking, smoking, and drug use portrayed? Are they glamorized?
What does this film have to say about suicide and grieving?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : March 16, 2021
- Cast : Carey Mulligan , Bo Burnham , Laverne Cox
- Director : Emerald Fennell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Transgender Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence including sexual assault, language throughout, some sexual material and drug use
- Award : Academy Award
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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