Netflix’s Set It Up wants to be a clever, modern rom-com about two assistants trying to set their bosses up together. It mostly gets there, but it leans too hard on a formula that feels more familiar than fresh. The film is a 2018 romantic comedy directed by Claire Scanlon from a script by Katie Silberman, starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as the titular assistants. It runs 105 minutes and was released directly on Netflix on June 15, 2018.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Harper and Charlie’s Setup
Harper Moore is the assistant to Kirsten Stevens, a former journalist who now runs an online sports journalism empire. Charlie Young works for Rick Otis, a high-strung venture capitalist. Both are overworked and underpaid, and both want more time for their personal lives. Harper jokes that both bosses need to get laid, and she proposes a plan: if Kirsten and Rick start dating, they’ll have less time to overwork their assistants.
The setup is simple and effective. Harper and Charlie are relatable because they’re doing the actual work while their bosses reap the rewards. Their frustration is real, and the idea of forcing the two bosses together as a way to reclaim their weekends lands well. The film spends its early runtime establishing why these two particular assistants are the only ones who can pull this off, and the chemistry between Deutch and Powell sells the idea that they’re the perfect team for the job.
Kirsten Stevens and Rick Otis
Kirsten is sharp and successful, but her ambition has cost her a social life. Rick is abrasive and demanding, but his connections could guarantee Charlie a promotion. The pairing works because they’re opposites: one is a driven professional, the other is a wealthy investor who doesn’t know how to relax. Their relationship starts as a business arrangement and slowly becomes something more, though the film doesn’t spend much time exploring what that something more actually is.
Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs play Kirsten and Rick with the kind of effortless charm that makes their eventual romance feel earned. Liu brings a cool competence to Kirsten, while Diggs plays Rick as a man who genuinely believes he deserves everything he has. Neither performance is flashy, but both actors know exactly what the scene demands and deliver it with precision.
The Elevator Plot Goes Awry
The central scheme involves stalling the elevator carrying both bosses, trapping them with a delivery man who suffers from claustrophobia. That delivery man starts stripping and urinating, which sends the plan badly off course. It’s a funny sequence, but it also sets a tone for the film that’s more slapstick than romance. The film is at its best when it’s playing with the absurdity of corporate life, and this scene is a prime example of that.
The problem is that the movie keeps returning to this mode. A baseball game scene where Charlie and Harper bribe the kiss-cam operator to force Rick and Kirsten to kiss follows a similar pattern: it’s a clever trick, but it feels like a trick rather than a moment of genuine connection. The film is full of ideas, but it rarely slows down to let any of them breathe.
Charlie’s Personal Life
Charlie’s storyline adds depth to the central setup. His girlfriend Suze almost breaks up with him because of his lack of free time, which gives Charlie a personal stake in making the scheme work. The film also introduces Charlie’s roommate Mike, played by Jon Rudnitsky, and Harper’s engaged roommate Duncan, played by Pete Davidson. These supporting characters add texture to the world, but they don’t get enough screen time to feel fully realized.
The film is at its weakest when it tries to juggle multiple subplots. Harper’s desire to write sports journalism and Charlie’s quest for a promotion both get mentioned, but neither is developed beyond a passing reference. The film’s focus is clearly on the setup itself, and everything else is treated as background noise.
The Baseball Game and Beyond
After three attempts, Rick and Kirsten finally kiss. The film cuts off before the details of what happens next emerge. From there, the two start dating, giving Charlie time to spend with Suze and Harper time to date. The ending suggests that things between Rick and Kirsten might not be smooth, but the film stops short of showing the fallout.
It’s a tidy conclusion, but it’s also a bit abrupt. The film has spent its entire runtime building toward this moment, and then it stops before it can show what happens next. It’s a structural choice that works in theory, but it leaves the audience wanting more. The film is better at setting up a problem than it is at resolving it.
The Cast and Netflix Release
The ensemble cast is the film’s strongest asset. Deutch and Powell have a natural rapport that carries the film through its weaker stretches. Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs anchor the romantic thread with solid performances. Joan Smalls, Meredith Hagner, Pete Davidson, Jon Rudnitsky, Tituss Burgess, Noah Robbins, Jake Robinson, and Aaron Costa Ganis round out the cast, and they all do what they’re asked without overstaying their welcome.
The Netflix release is worth noting. Set It Up arrived directly on the streaming service, which means audiences didn’t have to wait for a theatrical run. The film’s reception was generally positive, which speaks to its appeal.
Verdict
Set It Up is a competent, occasionally clever romantic comedy that knows exactly what it’s doing. Its strengths are its premise, its lead performances, and its willingness to play with absurdity. Its weaknesses are its refusal to slow down and its tendency to treat its own ideas as tricks rather than genuine storytelling.
The film is at its best when it’s focused on Harper and Charlie’s partnership and the growing affection between Kirsten and Rick. It’s at its worst when it’s chasing a joke or rushing through a subplot. The film is a solid entry in the genre, but it doesn’t reach for anything bigger than its premise allows.
Key Facts Box
- Title: Set It Up
- Director: Claire Scanlon
- Writer: Katie Silberman
- Lead actors: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs
- Supporting cast: Joan Smalls, Meredith Hagner, Pete Davidson, Jon Rudnitsky, Tituss Burgess, Noah Robbins, Jake Robinson, Aaron Costa Ganis
- Release date: June 15, 2018
- Platform: Netflix
- Runtime: 105 minutes
- Critical score: 6.2/10
Comparison Table
| Element | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Premise | Clever setup | Overly familiar formula |
| Performances | Strong leads | Supporting cast underdeveloped |
| Structure | Tidy resolution | Abrupt ending |
| Humor | Absurd situations | Rushed gags |
| Romance | Genuine chemistry | Underdeveloped subplots |
The film’s biggest flaw is that it’s content to coast on its own cleverness rather than pushing toward something more substantial. It’s a pleasant watch, but it’s not a memorable one. The final kiss is a moment that should have been expanded, not rushed past. The film ends on a note of unresolved tension, and it leaves the audience wondering what happens next.
That’s a missed opportunity. Set It Up is a solid, if unambitious, romantic comedy that understands its own premise better than it understands its characters. It’s a film that’s easy to recommend for a lazy afternoon, but it’s not a film that demands a second viewing. The score reflects that balance: it’s a good movie that falls short of great.
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