Straight Up (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Straight Up is a 2020 romantic comedy directed by James Sweeney, starring Katie Findlay as Rory, Tracie Thoms and Randall Park. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $16,080 worldwide on a $300,000 budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2021. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- James Sweeney
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Strand Releasing
- Budget
- $300K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Straight Up About?
The premise of Straight Up without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Todd is a highly articulate and obsessive-compulsive gay man in his twenties, grappling with a fear of dying alone. This fear leads him to question his sexuality, leading him to believe he might not be gay. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Rory, a clever and struggling actress who also battles her own insecurities. The two form a unique and engaging relationship characterized by constant conversation but a surprising lack of physical intimacy, as they navigate their individual anxieties and search for connection.
Straight Up Themes & Keywords
· 7 tags- masculinity
- pegging
- male female relationship
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- role reversal
- sexuality
- gender roles
Straight Up Cast & Characters
Katie Findlay leads the cast as Rory, with Tracie Thoms as Dr. Larson and Randall Park as Wallace. Directed by James Sweeney; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director James Sweeney
- Katie Findlay as Rory
-
Tracie Thoms as Dr. Larson -
Randall Park as Wallace -
Logan Huffman as Darien
Also Starring in Straight Up
· 9 more- Betsy Brandt Topanga
- Ken Kirby Craig
- Joshua Diaz Zane
- Dana Drori Meg
- James Scully Ryder
- Laura Ortiz
- Brendan Scannell Jerry
- Hillary Anne Matthews Nicole
- Ozioma Akagha Katrina
More from James Sweeney
More films directed by James Sweeney: Brooklyn Love Stories and Normal Doors.
Straight Up Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Straight Up 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).
Straight Up Echo Score Breakdown
The film’s strongest attribute is its engaging banter and inventive characterization, though it can feel uneven in pacing and realism. Critics and users alike praise Sweeney’s direction for its hyper-stylized visual approach and rapid-fire dialogue, yet some note that the narrative occasionally flags and the characters lack full dimensionality. While the story introduces fresh perspectives on romantic comedy conventions, occasional moments of contrivance limit its coherence. Overall, Straight Up presents a spirited but somewhat inconsistent indie debut.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 72
In terms of direction and production design, Straight Up offers a distinctive indie aesthetic marked by a hyper-stylized visual palette and witty scene composition. The film’s editing work underscores its rapid pacing, though moments of abrupt transitions sometimes disrupt narrative flow. Critics commend the confident camera work and inventive framing, while a few note occasional lapses in tonal consistency. Overall, its craft showcases ambition with minor unevenness.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to acting and character depth, Straight Up thrives on the palpable chemistry between its two leads. Reviewers highlight Sweeney’s nuanced portrayal of inner conflict and Findlay’s responsive performance, which boost emotional resonance within rapid exchanges. Some critiques point to moments where the constant banter undermines genuine authenticity. Overall, the film offers engaging performances while occasionally feeling slightly rehearsed.
- Story & Flow 68
In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Straight Up delivers fresh originality tempered by occasional predictability. Critics note that the screwball-inspired structure provides lively engagement but that the narrative can flag in quieter moments, with some turns feeling contrived. User commentary underscores a brisk tempo that energizes early scenes yet leaves later sections less cohesive. Overall, the film’s storyline is inventive and playful though uneven in flow.
- Sensory Experience 70
When it comes to sensory experience, Straight Up emphasizes its stylized visual design and an economical soundscape over a traditional score. Hyper-stylized color choices and crisp sound editing accentuate the film’s eccentric tone, though some critics note the atmosphere can feel stifled by the emphasis on dialogue. The minimalist soundtrack directs focus to performances but sometimes undercuts immersion. Overall, the sensory elements are distinctive yet restrained.
- Rewatch Factor 65
In terms of rewatch factor, Straight Up’s rapid-fire dialogue and creative premise invite repeat viewings, yet its brisk pacing and dense exchanges may feel fatiguing on subsequent watches. Some viewers appreciate finding new humor and thematic nuances in the film’s witty scripts, while others note that the constant banter can lessen the impact of quieter scenes over time. Overall, the movie retains charm but may be best suited to revisits.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 69%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.6 /5
224 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Straight Up Plot Summary
What happens in Straight Up from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Todd, a twenty-something man from Los Angeles with OCD, struggles in romantic relationships due to a strong aversion to bodily fluids. He likes the men he dates, but aside from an attempt at oral sex, he has never had penetrative sex with them. Eventually he decides to try dating women, and attempts to hook up with a girl after getting drunk with her but freaks out when her hymen breaks. His psychoanalyst, Dr. Larson, Tracie Thoms, wonders if this exploration of sexuality is a good idea, but Todd fears being alone and resolves to continue trying.
Full summary
The whole story of Straight Up, scene by scene
Straight Up Box Office & Budget
Straight Up grossed $16,080 worldwide on a $300,000 budget, 5% of what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$16.1K
5% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $16.1K
- Budget
- $300K
Straight Up Awards & Nominations
Straight Up earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2021.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Best First Screenplay – James Sweeney
Straight Up Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Behind the Scenes Full Virtual Q&A - Coolidge Corner Theatre
How Well Do You Know Straight 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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What city does Todd live in?
Cars in Straight Up
13 cars on screen, including the 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the 2011 Dodge Charger.
-
1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Important role -
2011 Dodge Charger Minor role -
Kia Soul Minor role -
2006 Chevrolet Impala Background role
Straight Up Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Amore senza sesso” and “Almas gêmeas”.
- Also known as
-
- Amore senza sesso
- Almas gêmeas
- Прямо вверх
- 스트레이트 업
- 直弯爱侣
- Tal para cual
- Прокачай нормальность
- להיות סטרייט
Seen Straight Up?
Movies Like Straight Up
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Straight Up, Straightman and Straight.
Straight Up FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Straight Up, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Straight Up?
Straight Up runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Straight Up released?
Straight Up was released on February 28, 2020.
Who directed Straight Up?
Straight Up was directed by James Sweeney.
More films by James Sweeney Who is in the cast of Straight Up?
Straight Up stars Katie Findlay as Rory, Tracie Thoms as Dr. Larson and Randall Park as Wallace, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Straight Up make at the box office?
Straight Up grossed $16,080 worldwide on a budget of $300,000.
How is Straight Up rated?
Straight Up has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic, 69% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.
Was Straight Up nominated for any awards?
Straight Up received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Straight Up have a post-credit scene?
No. Straight Up has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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