What we flagged
View all categories
Our take
The mother-in-law battle is broad comedy, but the insults and sabotage carry most of the film. There are sex jokes, drinking and a scheme involving pills and alcohol. We would put it at 13 for the sustained meanness rather than the romance.
Uplifting themes
Chosen family and sticking up for your partner finally win out over control. The ending favors honesty over score-settling Charlotte's friends back her when Viola pushes too far. Kevin has to choose between pleasing his mother and protecting his fiancée
Story (may spoil tone)
Office temp Charlotte Cantilini thinks she's found Mr. Right when she starts dating gorgeous surgeon Dr. Kevin Fields. But there's a problem standing in the way of everlasting bliss: Kevin's overbearing and controlling mother, Viola. Fearing she'll lose her son's affections forever, Viola decides to break up the happy couple by becoming the world's worst mother-in-law.
Details
Violence Threats to "kill" someone stay comic, and a gun question pops up withou…
Threats to "kill" someone stay comic, and a gun question pops up without a shootout. Physical harm is slapstick and short
Language The s-word, damn, hell, and b-word show up when tempers flare at home a…
The s-word, damn, hell, and b-word show up when tempers flare at home and on air. Stronger f-word barrages do not take over the comedy
Sex / nudity The jokes are mostly verbal: people discuss sex and past partners, and…
The jokes are mostly verbal: people discuss sex and past partners, and a woman in the bath describes herself as naked and wet. Charlie and Kevin kiss and flirt
Drugs / alcohol Wine, vodka, and box-wine jokes fill parties and family dinners. Viola'…
Wine, vodka, and box-wine jokes fill parties and family dinners. Viola's circle also mixes alcohol with her pills, and people get openly drunk
Bullying / discrimination Viola runs a long campaign of insults, sabotage, and public humiliation…
Viola runs a long campaign of insults, sabotage, and public humiliation aimed at Charlotte. The comedy treats that bullying as the engine of the plot
Mental health An anxiety attack and a therapist visit land in the middle of the chaos…
An anxiety attack and a therapist visit land in the middle of the chaos. The film uses them for plot turns more than careful care talk
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- Viola treats love like a competition she must win. How do you set boundaries with a relative who will not share?
- Charlotte keeps trying to be polite while the attacks escalate. When is kindness enough, and when do you push back?
Ask ClearAge
Monster-in-Law
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.
