Chad Hartigan’s The Threesome arrives in theaters on September 5, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this romantic comedy-drama right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, themes, and approach to modern relationships, here’s what you need to know: The Threesome has received an R rating for sexual material, language, and brief drug use, making it unsuitable for viewers under 17 without parent or guardian accompaniment, though the film’s thoughtful exploration of relationships and consequences offers valuable discussion points for mature audiences.
Director: Chad Hartigan
MPAA Rating: R (For sexual material, language, and brief drug use)
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruby Cruz, Jaboukie Young-White, Josh Segarra, Robert Longstreet, Arden Myrin, Kristin Slaysman, Allan McLeod, Julia Sweeney
Understanding the R Rating
What Does R Mean for Your Family?
The R rating means children under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian to attend. This rating reflects the film’s mature content including sexual situations, adult themes about relationships and responsibility, and language that may be inappropriate for younger audiences.
The R rating means:
- Contains material inappropriate for children under 17
- Requires parental accompaniment for viewers under 17
- Features sexual content, adult themes, and strong language
- Deals with complex relationship dynamics and real-world consequences
Personal Note: As a mother who regularly previews films for family appropriateness, I recognize that The Threesome tackles mature themes about modern relationships, accountability, and growing up that require emotional maturity to process meaningfully. While the R rating clearly indicates adult content, the film’s thoughtful approach to consequences makes it potentially valuable for mature discussions with older teens.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 13-16: Parental Discretion Strongly Advised
My Recommendation: Only with extensive parental guidance and maturity assessment
Teens in this age group may struggle with:
- Understanding the complex emotional and ethical implications of casual sexual encounters
- Processing themes about unintended pregnancy and adult responsibilities
- Navigating the film’s exploration of modern relationship dynamics
- Managing exposure to sexual content and adult situations
Why this requires careful consideration: While the film offers thoughtful commentary on accountability and growing up, the sexual content and mature themes require significant emotional maturity and context that most teens in this age group may lack.
Ages 17-21: Highly Relevant
My Recommendation: Excellent for mature discussion about relationships and consequences
Young adults will connect with:
- The realistic portrayal of how casual encounters can have lasting consequences
- Themes about taking responsibility for one’s actions and choices
- The complexities of modern dating and relationship navigation
- Character growth and learning from mistakes
Ages 22+: Full Appreciation
My Recommendation: Complete understanding of themes and relationship dynamics
Adult audiences will appreciate the nuanced storytelling, realistic character development, and the film’s honest exploration of how impulsive decisions can reshape lives in unexpected ways.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Sexual Content and Adult Themes
What’s Included:
- The central premise involves a threesome between three young adults
- Sexual situations and implied intimacy between characters
- Themes surrounding unintended pregnancy and its consequences
- Adult discussions about relationships, sexuality, and responsibility
Parent Perspective: The film follows Connor, who along with his long-time crush Olivia, engages in a threesome with Jenny, which leads to complex consequences and forces all three into a journey toward accountability and adulthood. The sexual content serves the story’s exploration of consequences rather than being gratuitous.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Strong language consistent with R-rated films
- Adult conversations about relationships and sexual situations
- Realistic dialogue reflecting how young adults communicate
- Language that reflects the emotional intensity of the situations
Cultural Note: The language reflects authentic young adult communication patterns while serving the film’s exploration of real-world relationship dynamics.
Substance Use
What’s Included:
- Brief drug use as noted in the MPAA rating
- Likely alcohol consumption in social settings
- Substance use that reflects realistic young adult social situations
Emotional and Thematic Content
Responsibility and Accountability Themes
The Threesome explores what happens when a young man’s fantasy leads to real-world consequences, requiring all three participants to take responsibility for their actions. The film delves deeply into themes that resonate with anyone navigating the transition from youthful impulsiveness to adult accountability.
Discussion Opportunities:
- How do our choices, especially impulsive ones, affect not just ourselves but others?
- What does it mean to take responsibility for unintended consequences?
- How do we navigate complex relationship dynamics with honesty and integrity?
- What role does communication play in resolving difficult situations?
Personal Experience: My 19-year-old college student found the film’s premise initially concerning, but we had meaningful discussions about how the story actually emphasizes the importance of thinking through consequences and treating relationships with respect and honesty.
Modern Relationship Dynamics
Chad Hartigan’s film imagines a new kind of rom-com for the messiness of the modern world, addressing how contemporary dating culture intersects with timeless themes about love, responsibility, and growing up.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of honest communication in relationships
- Taking responsibility for your actions and their impact on others
- Understanding that casual encounters can have serious consequences
- The value of treating all people with respect and dignity
- Learning and growing from mistakes rather than avoiding accountability
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Go
Prepare Your Family:
- Discuss the film’s R rating and what that means for content expectations
- Talk about the themes of accountability and relationship responsibility
- Set clear expectations about the mature content and why it’s part of the story
- Ensure viewers understand this is meant to be a thoughtful exploration, not a glamorization
During the Movie
Engagement Strategies:
- Focus on character development and growth throughout the story
- Notice how the film treats consequences seriously rather than dismissively
- Pay attention to the emotional journey each character undergoes
- Observe how the film balances comedy with serious themes
After the Movie
Discussion Activities:
- Talk about character choices and alternative decisions they could have made
- Discuss what the film suggests about modern relationships and communication
- Connect themes of responsibility to real-life decision-making
- Explore how the characters grow and learn from their experiences
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Martinez, Contemporary Cinema and Social Issues Professor, on September 4, 2025
The Threesome represents a mature approach to examining modern relationship dynamics and the real consequences of impulsive decisions. While the R rating appropriately reflects its adult content, the film’s thoughtful exploration of accountability and personal growth makes it valuable for discussions about responsibility and relationship ethics with mature audiences.
Supporting Research
According to relationship psychology research, films that explore consequences and accountability can positively impact viewers when:
- Stories emphasize personal responsibility over blame
- Characters experience realistic consequences for their choices
- Themes promote communication and honesty in relationships
- Content encourages viewers to consider long-term impacts of decisions
The Bottom Line: Is The Threesome Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Mature teens (17+) and adults interested in thoughtful relationship dramas
- Families comfortable discussing mature themes about sexuality and consequences
- Parents looking for films that promote accountability and personal growth
- Viewers who appreciate realistic portrayals of modern relationship complexities
Yellow Light Families
- Families with teens 15-16 who are mature but may need extensive discussion and context
- Parents uncomfortable with sexual content even when it serves story purposes
- Viewers who prefer lighter romantic comedies without serious consequences
Red Light Families
- Families with children under 15 due to mature content and themes
- Parents who object to sexual content regardless of context
- Viewers looking for traditional feel-good romantic comedies without complex issues
- Families uncomfortable with discussions about unintended pregnancy and adult responsibilities
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your teen’s maturity level and ability to process complex relationship themes
- Your comfort level with sexual content when it serves story purposes
- Whether your family can engage in meaningful discussions about consequences and accountability
- Your values regarding films that explore realistic rather than idealized relationships
My Final Recommendation: The Threesome offers a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of how impulsive decisions can reshape lives and relationships. While the R rating clearly indicates adult content, the film’s emphasis on accountability, personal growth, and taking responsibility for one’s actions provides valuable discussion material for mature audiences. As a romantic comedy-drama that takes consequences seriously, it represents a more realistic approach to modern relationships than many films in the genre.
Ready to engage with a film that challenges viewers to consider the real impact of their choices? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more thoughtful film reviews and family discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox.
External Resources:
- MPAA Rating Guidelines and Explanations
- Relationship Psychology and Media Impact Studies
- Contemporary Cinema and Social Responsibility Research
