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Comedy drama

In a Relationship (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

In a Relationship (2018) movie poster

In a Relationship is a 2018 comedy drama starring Michael Angarano as Owen, Emma Roberts and Dree Hemingway. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
64%
Echo Score
48
Metascore
51
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In a Relationship (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is In a Relationship About?

The premise of In a Relationship without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In Los Angeles, the strong relationship between Owen and Hallie faces unexpected challenges, causing their bond to weaken. Simultaneously, Matt and Willa embark on a passionate romance, questioning their beliefs about love and commitment as they navigate a whirlwind of emotions and discover new possibilities.

In a Relationship Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • based on short film
  • female female kiss
  • female full frontal nudity
  • mosaic censorship
  • male rear nudity
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Cast & crew

In a Relationship Cast & Characters

Michael Angarano leads the cast as Owen, with Emma Roberts as Hallie and Dree Hemingway as Willa.

Also Starring in In a Relationship

· 9 more
Ratings

In a Relationship Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave In a Relationship 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 51 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

48 /100

In a Relationship Echo Score Breakdown

In its combination of modest craft and uneven engagement, the film delivers glimpses of talent but struggles to sustain interest. The direction offers tonal consistency yet lacks distinct visual flair, while character portrayals oscillate between honest moments and uninspired depth. Plot development often feels familiar and underdriven, and although the soundtrack is agreeable, the sensory aspects remain unremarkable. As a result, the film leaves a subdued, forgettable impression that falls short of lasting impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film demonstrates consistent tonal control but does not venture into distinctive visual territory. The director’s handling of scene transitions is measured, and the editing maintains narrative clarity, yet there is minimal experimentation with composition or color. Production design supports the setting without drawing attention. Overall, the craft is competent but lacks a memorable visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances range from professional delivery to sporadic lack of depth. The ensemble casts deliver moments of charm and candid vulnerability, yet several principal roles feel underexplored and occasionally irritating. Dialogue offers biting one-liners that reveal flaws, but the emotional resonance falters amid repetitive romantic tropes. Overall, character work provides intermittent insight but rarely achieves sustained depth.

  • Story & Flow 35

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative advances at a measured pace but struggles with originality and engagement. Plot points often feel familiar, and several scenes function primarily as filler without deepening context or motivation. Pacing alternates between slow stretches and abrupt shifts that disrupt momentum. While occasional moments offer genuine humor, the overall storyline lacks compelling twists or substantial thematic development, limiting its impact.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When it comes to sensory experience, the soundtrack provides a gentle, unobtrusive backdrop that complements the narrative but remains easily overlooked. Sound design maintains clarity in dialogue and scene transitions without drawing undue focus. Visually, the film adopts a naturalistic palette with cohesive imagery, though it lacks striking stylistic flourishes. Overall, the sensory elements support the story without creating a memorable or immersive atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film delivers limited incentive for subsequent viewings due to its lack of distinctive moments. While some dialogue and character interactions offer brief amusement, the overall narrative fails to present layered content that rewards second experiences. The gentle tone and conventional structure contribute to a sense of predictability. Overall, the movie leaves little lasting appeal and does not invite repeated engagement.

Plot

In a Relationship Plot Summary

What happens in In a Relationship from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the sun slowly descended into the Pacific Ocean, bathing the star-studded Malibu scenery in a warm glow, Hallie and Owen reconnected with their friends Willa and Matt at a vibrant house party that would ultimately change the course of their lives. The air was charged with anticipation, filled with laughter and the rhythm of summer nights that held an array of possibilities. Within this lively atmosphere, Hallie and Owen shared a tender moment that was abruptly interrupted by a minor disagreement during the July 4th fireworks. Although they reconciled before parting, the seeds of doubt had been firmly planted in their hearts.

Full summary

The whole story of In a Relationship, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

In a Relationship Trailers & Videos

The trailer of In a Relationship.

IN A RELATIONSHIP Official Trailer (2018) Emma Roberts Romantic Comedy Movie HD
Quiz

How Well Do You Know In a Relationship?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What event marks the turning point for Hallie and Owen's relationship?

Cars

Cars in In a Relationship

22 cars on screen, including the 2014 Toyota Corolla and the 2011 Toyota Prius III.

All 22 cars
  • 2014 Toyota Corolla in In a Relationship 2014 Toyota Corolla Important role
  • 2011 Toyota Prius III in In a Relationship 2011 Toyota Prius III Important role
  • Volkswagen Jetta A6 Typ 5K in In a Relationship Volkswagen Jetta A6 Typ 5K Important role
  • 1997 Jeep Cherokee in In a Relationship 1997 Jeep Cherokee Minor role
Details

In a Relationship Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Szukając szczęścia” and “Статус: всё сложно”.

Also known as
  • Szukając szczęścia
  • Статус: всё сложно
  • 恋爱关系
  • Във връзка
  • 달콤한 연인들
  • İlişkiler
  • У відносинах
  • Em Um Relacionamento Sério
  • En Pareja
  • In a Relationship - Amori a lungo termine
  • Ve vztahu
  • Egy nyár, két kapcsolat
+2 more
  • Într-o relație
  • בזוגיות

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FAQ

In a Relationship FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of In a Relationship, each answered in a sentence.

How long is In a Relationship?

In a Relationship runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was In a Relationship released?

In a Relationship was released on November 9, 2018.

Who is in the cast of In a Relationship?

In a Relationship stars Michael Angarano as Owen, Emma Roberts as Hallie and Dree Hemingway as Willa, among 13 credited actors.

How is In a Relationship rated?

In a Relationship has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, 51 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does In a Relationship have a post-credit scene?

No. In a Relationship has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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