How to Have Sex 2023
How to Have Sex (2023) is the debut feature by British writer-director Molly Manning Walker, which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2023 — where it won the top prize . The film unfolds in Malia, Crete, following Tara (Mia McKenna‑Bruce), Skye (Lara Peake), and Em (Enva Lewis) as they embark on a sun-drenched rite-of-passage holiday filled with parties, drinking, and the promise of “losing their virginity.”🎭 Plot Summary The girls’ carefree getaway takes a dark turn when Tara, pressured by peer expectations, becomes entangled in a sexual encounter that leaves her emotionally rattled. The film intimately explores her internal struggle with consent, societal norms, and personal boundaries.🎥 Critics Rotten Tomatoes: 97% critics score, praised as “authentically capturing female adolescence and friendship” with a sobering edge. AP News: Highlights the film's shift from lighthearted youthful fun to the heavy realities of trauma, crediting McKenna‑Bruce's “subtle and poignant performance”. New Yorker: Commends its portrayal of psychological impact, though notes the characters can feel “impersonal”. Vogue & Deep Focus Review: Applaud the nuanced depiction of consent ambiguities and raw emotional realism — “lover than provocation, the narrative hints at the unsaid”. Roger Ebert / The Film Magazine & Eye for Film: Praised as a “sensitive, sobering exploration” and commended for evoking the emotional fallout from coercive experiences .📺 Where to Watch Theatrical: Premiered in early 2024 in North America and Europe. Streaming: Available on Mubi, and as of March 2025 it has joined Netflix and Amazon.🎬 Box Office Summary Worldwide Gross: Between ~$795,800 and $1.23 million, depending on source: The Numbers estimates global total at $795,803. Alternatively, one source puts cumulative international gross at $1,053,936, and worldwide at $1,231,316. United Kingdom: Strong indie opening—debuted at £101,630 across 150 venues (including previews). Total UK theatrical takings reached approximately £389,500 over six weeks. United States: Released on Feb 2, 2024, opening weekend earned $48,596, with cumulative US gross around $121,820 over three weeks. International Highlights: France: opened to 34,062 admissions, total ~70,919 entries. Other markets: Italy: ~4,402 admissions Germany: ~7,847 Spain: ~3,970 Brazil: ~1,233.📝 Conclusion How to Have Sex is a quietly powerful, visually evocative coming‑of‑age drama. It diverges from typical teen movies by confronting uncomfortable truths about consent, peer pressure, and the emotional aftermath of coerced encounters. Mia McKenna‑Bruce's restrained yet affecting performance is a standout, embodying the complex inner world of Tara. While some critics wished for deeper character development, most agree the film’s emotional impact is undeniable — a frank mirror reflecting society's often tangled attitude toward young women's sexuality.
- 2023
- 1 h : 31 min
- 133 views
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6.217
- A
- English (UK)
Not Rated Yet