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Man Up

Man Up

If you can't get a date... just steal one!

201588 minRMidcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Director
Ben Palmer
Starring
Simon Pegg, Lake Bell, Rory Kinnear, Ken Stott

A 34 year old single woman, Nancy, hung-over again, exhausted by the endless fruitless set ups by her friends, traveling across London to toast another 10 years of her parents' successful happy magical marriage runs in with a 40 year old divorcee, Jack, who mistakes her for his 24 year old blind date. Nancy, deciding to go with it, happens to hop on the most chaotic yet hilarious journey of her life which neither of them will ever forget.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Man Up?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Man Up streaming on Pluto TV (free).

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Man Up?

Man Up earns 3 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Content

Reception

Is Man Up worth watching?

Man Up's Midcredits score is the 73rd percentile of all films, from 107K ratings across 6 sources. 66% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

73rd percentile

Better received than 73% of films

81st percentile among Comedy73rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)70th
Approval (how many liked it)74th

67 /100

70th percentile of all films

79th percentile among Comedy70th percentile among 2010s

Critics 69 · Audience 67

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

66% liked it

74th percentile of all films

80th percentile among Comedy74th percentile among 2010s
66% rated it 7–1034% rated it 1–6

Critics 81% · Audience 69%

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

Reach

How many have seen it

94th percentile

107K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Comedy94th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 23% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$3M

56th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A predictable but charming British rom-com built on a mistaken-identity premise.

Fans praised

  • witty fast-paced dialogue with sharp comedic timing
  • charming chemistry between Lake Bell and Simon Pegg
  • fresh spin on familiar rom-com formula with genuine heart

Detractors panned

  • forced crude humor and excessive sexual references
  • cringeworthy stalker subplot and over-the-top characters
  • unbelievable premise stretched past breaking point

What stands out

ActingDivisive80

Pegg and Bell have compelling, natural chemistry; Bell's accent widely praised as convincing

PacingDivisive75

Snappy 86-minute runtime; energetic momentum praised, though some found early scenes slow

DialogueDivisive72

Witty, fast-paced banter praised; excessive crude language criticized by detractors

HumorDivisive68

Genuinely funny to fans; detractors found jokes forced and unfunny

CharactersDivisive65

Relatable leads with baggage; stalker character divisive—funny to fans, obnoxious to detractors

Emotional impactDivisive65

Heartfelt moments land for fans; some find emotional beats unearned

Plot and storyDivisive55

Mistaken-identity premise requires suspension of disbelief; predictable rom-com trajectory

OriginalityDivisive55

Familiar rom-com formula with a few fresh twists; derivative overall

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 6 points apart
  • Critics vs users 5 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Man Up 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 warm that leaves you smiling.

It is funny, never lets up and leaves you feeling good. 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
JoyfulWarm
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmWry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its romantic premise straight but with a knowing, self-aware sense of humour about rom-com conventions and awkward moments.
The rideThe film balances lighthearted fun with emotional moments, keeping the mood buoyant overall.
StructureThe story unfolds in a conventional three-act structure over a single evening in London.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayAfter the credits, you're left smiling and believing that taking a chance on love is worth it.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

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).Comedy
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% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · 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. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA lonely woman takes on the identity of a blind date when a man mistakes her for his intended meeting, leading to a night of lies and connection.

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 filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · 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%
  • 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%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the risk of opening up to love and the importance of being yourself.
StanceThe film celebrates the risk of opening up to love and being one's authentic self.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanIn transitRealistic
Orchestral classicalPopSupportive music · hybrid · Dickon Hinchliffe
SettingA night out in London
MusicThe score complements the film's lively energy with a romantic pop-influenced sound.

Content guide

Is Man Up okay for kids?

R

Man Up is rated R: “Rated R for language and sexual references” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (9/100), sexual content at mild (34/100), language at intense (63/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (46/100) and frightening material at minimal (12/100). Overall it is heavier than 7% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • Ireland15A
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary18
  • Israelהותר לבני 14 ומעלה
  • Netherlands14
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 31% of all filmsHeavier than 7% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 3%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 29%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 42%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 61%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 5%

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

The reason to think twice is language. 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 Man Up have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Man Up?

Cast

Simon Pegg
as Jack
Lake Bell
as Nancy
Rory Kinnear
as Sean
Ken Stott
as Bert
Harriet Walter
as Fran
Sharon Horgan
as Elaine
Stephen Campbell Moore
as Ed
Ophelia Lovibond
as Jessica
Olivia Williams
as Hilary
Henry Lloyd-Hughes
as Daniel

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Man Up?

Movies like Man Up include Notting Hill (1999), Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) and One Night Only (2026). Of the 12 closest matches, half are whirlwind romances, and half are films about self-worth.

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

All 12 share its subject: romantic love. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Man Up?

759 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: screwball comedy. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.