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Romantic comedy

Straight Up (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Straight Up (2020) movie poster

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.

Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$16.1K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
73
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Straight Up (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
James Sweeney
Genres
Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$300K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
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Cast & crew

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.

From the director

More from James Sweeney

More films directed by James Sweeney: Brooklyn Love Stories and Normal Doors.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

73 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Straight Up Box Office & Budget

Straight Up grossed $16,080 worldwide on a $300,000 budget, 5% of what it cost.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.1K

5% of its budget back

US & Canada
$16.1K
Budget
$300K
Awards

Straight Up Awards & Nominations

Straight Up earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2021.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Straight Up Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Straight Up - Official US Trailer HD
  • Behind the Scenes Full Virtual Q&A - Coolidge Corner Theatre
Quiz

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

  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 city does Todd live in?

Cars

Cars in Straight Up

13 cars on screen, including the 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and the 2011 Dodge Charger.

All 13 cars
  • 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in Straight Up 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Important role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger in Straight Up 2011 Dodge Charger Minor role
  • Kia Soul in Straight Up Kia Soul Minor role
  • 2006 Chevrolet Impala in Straight Up 2006 Chevrolet Impala Background role
Details

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?

FAQ

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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