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Blame It on Rio

Blame It on Rio

She's the hottest thing on the beach. She's also his best friend's daughter!

1984100 minRMidcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
Director
Stanley Donen
Starring
Michael Caine, Michelle Johnson, Joseph Bologna, Demi Moore

Matthew Hollis is man on holiday in Rio with his best friend. Both men have teenage daughters with them. When Matthew falls for his best friend's amorous daughter named Jennifer, they embark on a secret, if slightly one-sided relationship. Jennifer's father is furious when he finds out about the 'older man' in his daughter's life, and sets out to hunt him down with the aid of Matthew!

Where to watch

Where can I watch Blame It on Rio?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Blame It on Rio streaming on Pluto TV (free), The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

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Highlights

What stands out about Blame It on Rio?

Blame It on Rio earns 4 badges, led by Before they were famous and Gentle for an R-rated film.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Blame It on Rio worth watching?

Blame It on Rio's Midcredits score is the 31st percentile of all films, from 20K ratings across 6 sources. 37% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

31st percentile

Better received than 31% of films

34th percentile among Comedy32nd percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)30th
Approval (how many liked it)33rd

55 /100

30th percentile of all films

32nd percentile among Comedy30th percentile among 1980s

Critics 22 · Audience 58

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.9 — solid but not unanimous.

37% liked it

33rd percentile of all films

36th percentile among Comedy35th percentile among 1980s
37% rated it 7–1063% rated it 1–6

Critics 11% · Audience 40%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

87th percentile

20K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Comedy86th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 18% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$3.4M
Domestic gross$19M
Worldwide gross$19M

81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A middle-aged man has an affair with his best friend's teenage daughter on vacation in Rio, played as a light sex farce with mixed results.

Fans praised

  • Michael Caine's committed light comic performance
  • Gorgeous Rio de Janeiro scenery and atmosphere
  • Witty one-liners and farcical situations

Detractors panned

  • Creepy, exploitative premise of man with teenage best friend's daughter
  • Michelle Johnson's amateurish acting and wooden delivery
  • Humorless, tone-deaf script with no real laughs

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive80

Beautiful travelogue shots of Rio and beaches

ActingDivisive60

Caine charming, Johnson amateurish, Bologna over-the-top

DialogueDivisive55

Some sharp one-liners but many stale jokes

CharactersDivisive40

Stereotypical, poorly motivated, no real depth

Plot and storyDivisive30

Implausible, awkward, unresolved moral weight

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 15 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Blame It on Rio like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
AbsurdTenseContemplative
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
PlayfulWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its morally dubious material at a knowingly comedic distance, playing the taboo scenario for farcical laughs rather than moral weight.
The rideThe film maintains a lighthearted but awkwardly tense mood as the secret affair escalates, with moments of mild contemplation.
StructureThe story unfolds in a conventional three-act structure, following Matthew's affair, his attempts to conceal it, and the farcical fallout. The direct-to-camera asides add comedic commentary but do not disrupt the chronological telling.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunWistful · 8% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you entertained and grinning from the farcical antics, but a lingering unease about the central relationship and its casual dismissal tempers the fun into a faint wistfulness.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

11% of films fit this archetype

with Voyage and return underneath

Why this archetypeThe film is a sex farce built on increasingly absurd concealment, as Matthew must hide his affair with his best friend's teenage daughter while helping that friend hunt for the very man he is. The vacation setting and the escalating lies and near-misses drive the comic chaos.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsDeception · 9% of filmsFamily bonds
Satirizes its theme: Attacks its theme through ridicule.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores characters seeking personal fulfillment and happiness, often through secret affairs and self-deception, set against the backdrop of family relationships.
StanceThe film satirizes its characters' midlife crises and marital discontent, treating their affair-driven pursuit of purpose with a comedic and critical eye.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticWildernessRealistic
PopJazzOrchestral classicalSupportive music · hybrid · Kenneth Wannberg
SettingRio de Janeiro, Brazil during a vacation
MusicScore incorporates Brazilian-inspired music to set the Rio atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Blame It on Rio okay for kids?

R

Blame It on Rio is rated R. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (23/100), sexual content at intense (66/100), language at mild (26/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (32/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). Its frightening material has too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 5% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 7 other countries
  • UK15
  • Germany16
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandPG
  • Denmark15
  • Greece16
  • Sweden15
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 28% of all filmsHeavier than 5% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 8%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 83%
Profanity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 4%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 22%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (8 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is sexual content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Blame It on Rio have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Blame It on Rio?

Cast

At least 2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Michael Caine
as Matthew Hollis
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michelle Johnson
as Jennifer Lyons
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Joseph Bologna
as Victor Lyons
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Demi Moore
as Nicole Hollis
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Valerie Harper
as Karen Hollis
José Lewgoy
as Eduardo Marques
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Lupe Gigliotti
as Signora Botega
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tessy Callado
as Helaine
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Zeni Pereira
as Mother of the Bride
Eduardo Conde
as Singer in the Dance Club
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Blame It on Rio?

Movies like Blame It on Rio include One Wild Moment (2015), Neighbors (1981) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Larry Gelbart, and several are farces.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 12 share its praise for cinematography. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Blame It on Rio?

159 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: teenager. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.