Set It Up (2018) User Reviews

Much Better Than I Expected!

[mkquinn91 · 7/10 · 2 September 2018]

It has some fantastic one-liners and generally great dialogue and chemistry between the leads. I was especially happy seeing Zoey Deutch in a movie that deserves her. I've always found her charming, but her prior leads roles were in Vampire Academy and Dirty Grandpa, which didn't inspire confidence in her career.

The only things keeping me from truly loving this is that it's predictable in the end, and more importantly the score was an abomination ripped straight out of a Hallmark Channel original movie. It felt like someone flicking me in the face for 90 minutes.

A clean rom-com with a decent story...

[PerryAtTheMovies · 6/10 · 29 November 2020]

Initial Thoughts: Though a couple of years old, it was refreshing to watch a rom-com that was clean, and yet not so clean, that it was mushy and inane. All the actors brought about their own personalities that worked in unison with each others. Nothing about this film was weird or awkward, and although the ending was predictable, this was a fun story to watch.

Pros: The biggest positive that I have on the movie is the actual filming. You can tell all the way through that they didn't close streets and sidewalks off. Although distracting at times it was fun to have normal fluidity within the frame. Though some say otherwise the story was well written in my opinion. Through all the ways of trying to make the bosses fall in love to finding personal inner strength to overcome obstacles in their own lives this film definitely has an enjoyable story.

Cons: Chemistry amongst actors wasn't consistently strong throughout, and when the smaller parts of the story started to slide or wonder, so did my attention span. When my attention span started to go. I started to notice the background even more. Yes, I said I enjoyed the fluidity of the scenes because it wasn't scripted people walking by, but if you're like me and you try to catch something sneaky, or notice inconsistencies throughout the film, you'll definitely be distracted in this one, as the film crews never shutdown any parts of New York. Because they never closed down sections for filming you constantly have people standing around and watching what's happening.

Overall: Alas, a non-sappy rom-com that is good for any date night. Again, it was nice to see a clean romantic comedy that wasn't full of constant one night stands, or just about partying. There is some of language throughout, but in my opinion, not enough to ruin the entire movie.

Enjoy the show!

Vicarious lovin'

[tributarystu · 7/10 · 15 June 2018]

Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell reunite after the excellent Everybody Wants Some (2016) in this low frills, high-chemistry rom-com. There isn't much to dwell on here, as 'Set It Up' proves the ideal low-stakes Friday night Netflix watch.

Deutch and Powell play Harper and Charlie, two young and ambitious characters working for a very special brand of pushy, domineering bosses. When they realize their common predicament, they set out to...set up their bosses, in the hope that it will lead to quality of life improvements for themselves. In an ironic twist, the ones being pushed around leverage their insights into personal scheduling and personal preferences to ensure the mis-match ends up matching. As is usual for mischievous do-gooders, there will be fraternizing and moral conundruming. And it will be fun.

Any successful rom-com hinges on the compatibility of its leads. Luckily, that's not an issue here, with both potential couples gelling or not gelling just as intended. It's the energy of all four key characters that keeps the movie alive, thanks to the odd piece of witty writing or amusing situation. I think I only rolled my eyes once at some ultra-corny moment that could have been avoided, but beyond that, director Claire Scanlon works gently and fairly with her characters. Everybody learns an important life lesson by the end and, surprisingly, it's a lesson I relate to, although I've never had the issue of overworking myself in order to avoid pursuing my passions. There are other, more pleasureful ways of doing it.

Conventional light-hearted rom-com with predictable story that never really progresse, but delivers exactly what it promises

[akcenat · 6/10 · 6 July 2020]

Netflix's "Set It Up" - the debut feature of TV directing veteran Claire Scanlon (while heavily pregnant) - never quite innovates enough to push beyond the conventions of rom-com genre. Character development is weak and the story makes this film the kind of production which makes Netflix seem like the internet bargain bin for entertainment, but what's the harm in an easy-to-swallow movie that makes you feel good? This is escapism at its finest and thanks to the cast film is definitely worthy of your time. In the end, "Set It Up" may have an extremely familiar story, but it's also sweet and adorable (at times) showing that love or even sex can be powerful and really change people.

Rating: 6+/7- (Fun)

Set It Up

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 7/10 · 20 July 2019]

7/10 - a sweet rom-com that features great performances by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell

ENJOYABLY SILY

[markj-02556 · 6/10 · 20 June 2018]

This film is about two stressed out assistants to, two powerful people. Who attempt to get their bosses together in the hope that once they find love, their jobs will become a whole lot easier and their bosses become a whole lot nicer.

This film is directed by Claire Scanlon (The last man on earth). It stars Zoey Deutch (Before I fall), Glen Powell (Hidden figures) and Lucy Liu (Kill Bill: Volume 1).

This film is dumb, but entertaining. It toes the line between so bad its good and just a enjoyable film. What makes the film not so bad its good for me is the performances. The cast has perfect chemistry and their are some stand performances like Lucy Liu as Zoey Deutchs mean boss, and Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) as Creepy Tim, who delivers the films best jokes. This film did not have me checking my watch to see when it would end.

However, the films story follows the typical Romcom clichés, couple that with down right stupid story, that is so unrealistic it is probably the best joke in the entire film.

If you like Romcoms this is for you, but if your looking for a netflix film with substance go and watch Cargo.

6/10

HAHAHA

[alcantaraj-16594 · 7/10 · 19 July 2018]

It's formulaic... but that does not mean "Set It Up" is a bad movie. In fact, it's good. The jokes were hit and miss but the chemistry between the leads made up for that.

A Really Old School Romcom

[richard-fieldhouse · 8/10 · 16 June 2018]

Two ridiculously overworked personal assistants hit on the idea of setting up their respective bosses together in the hopes that the assistants will then get pushed around a bit less. At first they're surprisingly successful but a plot this ambitious could never run totally smoothly could it?

So the premise of the film is very simple and the plot also develops along predicable lines. About ten minutes in, I was getting concerned about issues of workplace bullying, but then I got caught up in the energy of the story and the characters of the two assistants, Harper and Charlie, played by Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell. Yes, they are bullied and yes you could definitely say that the male boss - Rick, played by Taye Diggs - is a bit of a two dimensional caricature. But this is a romcom, not a documentary, so who cares.

There are enough laughs and the characters learn a little about themselves and about life along way, and most of all everyone - all the actors - get stuck in and really enjoy themselves. Right from Lucy Liu as the female sports journalist boss, right through to the cameos by the elevator engineer and the assistant in the jewellers.

It's a very wordy script delivered at a terrific pace, perhaps particularly thanks to Zoey Deutch, and most people should really enjoy it.

Not what you would expect

[dar0417 · 7/10 · 20 June 2019]

Fun rom-com with a little a little twist. You expect a normal boy meets girl and so on film but you get something a little different. Not to different that this film is very predictable.

I can't believe Liu and Diggs actually read the script before signing

[ACSpader · 2/10 · 3 July 2018]

I'm an avid fan of fluffy, contentless films from this genre, so it's quite hard to find an example of it that's truly awful. But this film nails it! From the unrelatable, unlikeable character played by the usually charismatic Taye Diggs, the unrealisism of Liu's character falling for such an a**hole (from a meet cute which devolves in to 'oh no, a fat guy with no shirt on')- Glen Powell wasn't really utilised at all and came off like a bland Alan Ruck, and Zoey Deutch has a lot of potential, but this film managed to wash even her out. I watched it with a group and we just kept saying 'Oh no...' This film is basically everything that's wrong with the romcom. It would have been a million times better if they'd given Taye Diggs a character who wasn't disgusting, or Lucy Liu had point blank refused to date him- which was what we'd expected from the outset.

Surprisingly funny and charming!!

[atiyaahsan · 8/10 · 20 June 2018]

I had seen the movie's trailer beforehand but didn't have high expectations from this one. I am happy to report I was wrong. The movie is funny, witty and thoroughly engrossing. I wasn't bored for a minute, thanks to the snappy dialogue and crisp editing and direction. I must admit I only decided to watch it cuz' of the big names like Luc Liu & Tae Diggs, and though both of them played their characters of A**hole bosses convincingly, but it's the primary couple of Zoey Deutch & Glen Powell that makes you fall in love with them. Even the supporting actors cast in bit roles like the coffee shop waiter, the elevator guy and the gay best friend played their roles perfectly. I found my self constantly laughing out loud. All in all, it was a very enjoyable film that all rom-com lovers will enjoy.

return of the fun rom-com

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 30 June 2018]

Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) are overworked assistants under tyrannical bosses in the same Manhattan office building. Harper's boss Kirsten Stevens (Lucy Liu) is a hard hitting ESPN reporter. Charlie's boss Rick (Taye Diggs) is pissed over his difficult divorce. Harper and Charlie have a meet cute over a lunch order for their bosses. In order to save their personal lives, they decide to parent-trap their bosses and distract them from working so hard.

This is a fun rom-com. I love that Harper and Charlie are also trying to dissect rom-coms when parent-trapping their bosses. Creepy Tim is hilarious. Deutch and Powell make for a fun couple non-couple. They have great chemistry that could go either way. I might get rid of the girlfriend a beat earlier. It would probably heat up their relationship a little faster. P.S. She should write about people she knows at Yankees Stadium instead of the geriatric Olympians.

After hearing a couple of good reviews, I figured I needed to check this out. With theatrical rom-coms dying off, one does wonder if there are survivors in a hidden oasis. I don't know if Netflix is that oasis since the good ones seem to be the exceptions. Nevertheless, it's nice to see a good one. I've never heard of the director or the writer. This is not going to win any Oscars but it is a return to good rom-coms. There are some good laughs and endearing characters.

It's like any Rom-Com you've ever seen

[Jared_Andrews · 5/10 · 20 June 2018]

Set It Up tells the story of-you're never going to believe this-a set up.

Two overworked and underappreciated assistants, Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell), serendipitously meet one night while working their typical late nights for their big shot bosses. After a brief exchange, they realize that they could give themselves more free time if their bosses started dating each other, so they agree to play matchmaker.

Their scheme begins with an initial meet cute that was less than stellar, but it was enough ignite a spark. The relationship is off and running, and Harper and Charlie guide their bosses along every step of the way.

Harper's boss (Lucy Liu) is mercilessly competitive and career driven, never giving a moment to consider her romantic life. Charlie's boss (Taye Diggs) is divorced, selfish and has some serious rage issues that are supposed to come across as humorous but are actually fairly alarming. They're far from an ideal pairing, but thanks to Harper and Charlie's "coaching," they hit it off.

Harper and Charlie spend more and more time together, becoming close friends as they successfully trick their bosses into falling in fake love, while they themselves possibly experience something real.

Let's be honest. Romantic comedies aren't ripe for spoilers because they're all predictable. This one isn't 100% that way, but you can probably guess where the story is headed.

Despite it's predictability and lack of originality, it's still mostly watchable. The two stars have natural on-screen chemistry, first as strangers, then as friends and so on. They're instantly likable individually and even more so when sharing a scene.

Although story isn't a strength of the film, the dialogue is quotable and the character development certainly isn't entirely weak. The bosses feel like trite phony concepts of successful movie bosses. They're abrasive, unfeeling monsters that inexplicably climb the success ladder without an ounce of people skills.

But the assistants feel like real people. They're competent yet flawed, courageous yet afraid, insulting yet caring. They mean well, even if they aren't always successful in their pursuits. Neither one is perfect, but they're a pretty much perfect set up team.

Ultimately, those two save what might have otherwise been a dull, run-of-the-mill rom-com. Thanks to them, it's one of the better movies of its genre that you'll find on Netflix.

It's a rom-com stop complaining

[xhidden99 · 8 July 2018]

Rom-coms don't need to be reviewed. They're rom-coms. They're all the same. They're not good or bad they're rom-coms. Stop looking for reasons to like or dislike them. If the heat death of the universe could be an art form it would be a rom-com.

Cute, funny, enjoyed cast for the 2 assistants

[bobcatukbb · 6/10 · 17 June 2018]

Cute, funny, enjoyed cast for the 2 assistants, enjoyed the concept. Downers: some language, over-the-top extremes of particularly the male boss. Not enough romantic comedies being made like "The Notebook," leaving Romcom fans starving for that quality and depth.

Hallmark on the Big Screen

[evanston_dad · 6/10 · 20 December 2019]

Like a Hallmark movie if Hallmark had a bigger budget and actually acknowledged there's this thing called sex that people sometimes have.

Grade: B-

Set it up - More like TAKE IT DOWN LOL

[tedeschini · 6/10 · 12 December 2022]

Well. What can I say about this movie.... Is it good?

Sorta.

Were any of the characters likeable?

No.

Did I relate to it?

Only to Creepy Tim.

Will I ever watch it again?

No.

Did it make me miss my girlfriend?

Yes.

Was it apart of the reason I enjoyed my night so much?

Yes.

Did it lead to fun chats with my girlfriend?

Most definitely.

Did it make me want to leave her for Harper, the main character?

No, not at all.

Did it actually remind me of the million amazing qualities she has?

Yes.

Did it make me want to set up two people and mastermind a plan to have them be together?

Also yes.

Pete davidson

[Elora1984 · 6/10 · 1 May 2021]

This movie was ok, but I wish Pete Davidson had been the main character love interest who falls in love with Harper. If you could rewrite it and do it again, I think it would work much better.

Super cute...

[krystalhupfer · 8/10 · 15 June 2018]

.... there were definitely some places where it could've been funnier, but overall I enjoyed it. It was super distracting at the end when all the passerby's were staring, obviously meaning they couldn't afford to block side walks and hire extras. The Positive: I found myself smiling long after scenes had ended. Definitely a feel good movie.

Cute Rom Com with Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu and GOOD music

[thejdrage · 6/10 · 11 January 2022]

I am not into rom coms, usually, but I do enjoy both Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu a lot. It's cute. It's fun. It's sweet. But somehow it isn't Hallmark-ish (thank goodness!) Pete Davidson as the roomie was a hoot! He was a great addition. It's twisty and turny, and fun. When you want/need something light with really good music, this is your movie!

Set It Up The Bomb

[dylandesign · 2/10 · 17 June 2018]

In two words: Cobbled. Together.

This Netflix original rom-com packs an ironic lack of chemistry. With the quality of an amateur movie project, each sequentil line and scene feels like it was shot repeatedly and had the best takes cut and stitched together, which results in conversations sounding completely unnatural, characters spouting punch lines where they don't belong, and a general lack of flow from each moment to the next.

Relationships between characters seem forced and unconvincing, especially the two main characters who work in the same building, yet had never seen each other before and now just drop in and out of each other's office space like they've been best buddies all along.

So far as laughs, unfortunately there is not much to offer as the circumstances in which the slapstick potty humour arises, is too far fetched to instil any grain of relatability to the audience. To put it another way, the writers seemed to borrowed tropes from the horror genre that make you think "no, don't go there, don't do that, oh god why are you doing that?!".

Nah bc this is the best rom com in the past 10 years

[cgdtpmqq · 9/10 · 22 November 2021]

A completely underrated rom com with perfect casting and so much heart. It's not as cheesy or cringey as the typical (especially Netflix original) rom com. They don't make them like this anymore unfortunately.

And yet...very romantic ending!

[cgvsluis · 6/10 · 20 January 2022]

This was like a postcard to New York and all the poor assistance schlepping away.

The basic premise is about two assistants who each have no life of their own because they work for very driven and demanding bosses. They meet accidentally one night trying to obtain dinner for their perspective bosses. Eventually one of them hatches the idea that they could Cyrano their bosses into a relationship with each other in order for the two of them to get some free time of their own...and it works, but there are some complications.

Fantastic cast, great acting...and I am imagining that it was super fun to play the two demanding bosses, especially with their crazy demands and tantrums.

At the end of the day it is a sweet romantic comedy about liking someone because of their quirks, but loving them inspire of others.

If you are in to romantic comedies, this one had some good laughs and nice romantic ending.

Not very funny, over-exaggerated acting of the horrible bosses

[tx-30948 · 2/10 · 15 June 2018]

The trailer looked promising to me, and reminded me of Horrible Bosses 1 & 2, which I quite enjoyed.

I also like three of the four main actors, as I already know them from various appearances (Scream Queens, Ally McBeal etc.). Only the actor playing the male boss was unknown to me.

Unfortunately, the movie was a big, big let down.

First, for a supposed comedy, it was not very funny, brining laughter only once in a while and moderately. This is the opposite of Horrible Bosses.

Another major negative relates to the bosses, and this is a key difference with the Horrible Bosses movies.

The male boss' reactions and talk are so exaggerated they are unbelievable. Of course, he has to be horrible, but he almost only appears screaming or so, yelling at people, and there is nothing that could make us feel he is a human. It is impossible to get immersed or willing to follow what happens to him, which is not what should happen.

The female boss is less exaggerated overall, although many times, she's also inhuman given the ovelyr-excessive reactions and talk.

In Horrible Bosses, bosses were real humans (acting badly). I wanted to know what would happen to them. They were also more present.

The two lead characters (the bosses' assistants) are OK-ish, although the way they accept what their bosses ask them to do and how they treat them is not always believable or relatable. While I liked Glen Powell a lot in Screem Queens, he appears rather transparent and superficial in this movie. Zoey Deutch performance and contribution was OK I suppose.

The lead assistants' partners are moderately present. The female assistant's boyfriend is barely visible, but the male assistant's girlfriend is somewhat more present.

Also disturbing to me, it is unclear whether the movie wants to be a romance. While many parts point to that, there is a significant amount of vulgarity, which is hard to reconcile with true romance.

At the end of the day, a promising cast and idea, but a horrible output.

I HATE that poster, haha

[daisukereds · 7/10 · 9 December 2022]

Zoe Deutch is one of those actors you can't help but like. She was great in "The Outfit" and she is great here. I would love to see more of her.. and for her career to be better.

Luckily, she is paired with the "charming" Glen in an almost not-romcom movie where he can excel at these setting-up antics, and not forcing a romancing role (I can't see him delivering)!

This is probably the reason why I think this is a movie worth watching.. because it's almost like "Devil wears Prada" more than a "Pretty Woman", and the focus is entirely taken away from the leads (making the predictable part not the core). Being different, while still feeling completely familiar. And while it does not break new ground, some of the scenes and interactions are quite fun and memorable! Which is more than I can ask.