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Romantic comedy

Set It Up (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Set It Up (2018) movie poster

Set It Up is a 2018 romantic comedy directed by Claire Scanlon, starring Zoey Deutch as Harper, Glen Powell and Taye Diggs. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
Echo Score
75
Metascore
62
Set It Up (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Claire Scanlon
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Set It Up About?

The premise of Set It Up without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Two overworked assistants in New York City, Harper and Charlie, devise a plan to set up their demanding bosses, Kristen and Rick, hoping to ease their own workloads. As they orchestrate a series of orchestrated encounters, they find themselves navigating unexpected complications and developing feelings for each other, blurring the lines between professional strategy and romantic possibility. Their elaborate scheme might just score them more than they bargained for.

Set It Up Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • working late
  • pizza
  • pickle
  • executive assistant
  • sports reporter
  • matchmaking
  • new york city
  • twenty something
  • new york yankees
  • yankee stadium
  • reference to the parent trap
  • elevator
+38 more
  • delivery man
  • urinating into a bottle
  • take out food
  • boss
  • job
  • employer employee relationship
  • gay friend
  • engagement party
  • rooftop party
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • trapped in an elevator
  • work life balance
  • fire escape
  • office
  • work
  • baseball game
  • fired from a job
  • sports writer
  • female sportswriter
  • writer
  • pool party
  • reference to pubic hair
  • kiss cam
  • eating in bed
  • slow dance
  • reference to tinder
  • reference to roger goodell
  • beer pong
  • reference to creed
  • character says 'when life gives you lemons'
  • reference to bruce lee
  • reference to espn
  • reference to gatorade
  • breaking up with girlfriend
  • title spoken in dialogue
  • baby shower
  • reference to cyrano de bergerac
  • nude man
Where to watch

Where to Watch Set It Up

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Set It Up Cast & Characters

Zoey Deutch leads the cast as Harper, with Glen Powell as Charlie and Taye Diggs as Rick. Directed by Claire Scanlon; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Set It Up Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Set It Up 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Set It Up Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Set It Up delivers a well-executed romantic comedy anchored by compelling performances and smart dialogue while adhering closely to genre conventions. Critics and viewers praised the lively banter between the leads, which sustains energy through predictable plot turns and lightly nostalgic visuals. Though the storyline often follows familiar beats and rarely surprises, it maintains a breezy, entertaining rhythm. In net, the film provides a comfortably enjoyable experience that leans into its formula with sincerity.

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, Set It Up maintains a classic rom-com aesthetic with clean production design and measured editing. Observers noted no standout visual flourishes, but the film’s framing and color palette offer a pleasant, unobtrusive backdrop. Direction avoids ostentation in favor of functional clarity. Overall, the film’s technical design serves the narrative effectively without drawing undue attention.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Set It Up stands out for its engaging lead performances and palpable chemistry. Reviews highlighted the dynamic interplay between the principals, noting how their banter and emotional beats carry the film. Some supporting roles, especially workplace figures, were seen as underdeveloped. In sum, the leads’ warmth and wit provide the film’s emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film follows a familiar romantic-comedy structure that many found predictable. Critics and viewers commented on its measured pacing and occasional witty scripting, though the core narrative rarely surprises. Some plot points, such as the conflict between bosses and assistants, lack natural development. Overall, the storyline remains serviceable but conventional in its execution.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering the sensory experience, Set It Up uses a familiar soundtrack of upbeat pop and light orchestral cues that align with its comedic tone. Reviewers appreciated the clear sound design and unobtrusive musical choices but noted no particularly distinctive audio or visual style. The film’s aesthetic is cohesive yet modest. In conclusion, the sensory elements support the mood without standing out.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch factor, Set It Up offers a lighthearted energy that many viewers find appealing on repeat viewings. Comments mention the comfortable familiarity of its dialogue and the chemistry of the leads as reasons for return watches. While the formulaic structure may limit depth, the film’s easygoing tone provides renewed enjoyment. Overall, it sustains a pleasant replay value.

Plot

Set It Up Plot Summary

What happens in Set It Up from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Harper Moore, an ambitious assistant to Kirsten Stevens, a former journalist turned editor at a leading online sports journalism platform, navigates the complexities of her demanding work life. Her counterpart, Charlie Young, assists the high-strung venture capitalist Rick Otis. Their paths cross one fateful evening when both of their bosses require dinner.

With no cash on hand to pay for the food she ordered, Harper finds herself in a tight spot. Luckily, Charlie, who had failed to order dinner for Rick, steps up and pays for the meal. Understanding the stakes, he amiably allows Harper to take one of the dinners to prevent her termination.

Full summary

The whole story of Set It Up, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Set It Up Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Set It Up.

Set It Up | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Set It Up?

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

Who are the two main assistants in 'Set It Up'?

Cars

Cars in Set It Up

18 cars on screen, including the 2017 Lincoln Continental and the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.

All 18 cars
  • 2017 Lincoln Continental in Set It Up 2017 Lincoln Continental Minor role
  • 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe in Set It Up 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Background role
  • 2011 GMC Sierra HD in Set It Up 2011 GMC Sierra HD Background role
  • 2006 Honda Civic in Set It Up 2006 Honda Civic Background role
Details

Set It Up Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “Como Livrar-se do Chefe” and “牵线结缘”.

Also known as
  • Como Livrar-se do Chefe
  • 牵线结缘
  • Petits coups montés
  • O Plano Imperfeito
  • Подстава
  • Come far perdere la testa al capo
  • Cómo deshacerte de tu jefe
  • Ραντεβού με τα Αφεντικά
  • Установено
  • הבוס שלי בדייט
  • Set It Up: El plan imperfecto
  • Swatamy swoich szefów
+13 more
  • 牵线
  • 상사에 대처하는 로맨틱한 자세
  • Підстава
  • 老闆送作堆
  • Patronlara Tuzak
  • A szerelem asszisztensei
  • To zařídíme
  • セットアップ: ウソつきは恋の始まり
  • Kaip pamesti galvą
  • Trợ Lý Yêu
  • แผนแก้เผ็ดเผด็จเจ้านาย
  • 跣佢一鑊
  • Lipeala

Seen Set It Up?

FAQ

Set It Up FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Set It Up, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Set It Up?

Set It Up runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Set It Up released?

Set It Up was released on June 15, 2018.

Who directed Set It Up?

Set It Up was directed by Claire Scanlon.

More films by Claire Scanlon

Who is in the cast of Set It Up?

Set It Up stars Zoey Deutch as Harper, Glen Powell as Charlie and Taye Diggs as Rick, among 14 credited actors.

Where can I watch Set It Up?

In the US, Set It Up is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How is Set It Up rated?

Set It Up has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Set It Up have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Set It Up has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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