Finding a movie that handles the messy, awkward, and occasionally hilarious reality of modern relationships is harder than it looks. Most rom-coms lean too hard into the "com" or get lost in a "rom" that feels like it was written by someone who has never actually been on a date. Then there is the All About Sex movie. Originally titled Sage Alexander: Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll (which, honestly, is a mouthful), the 2020 film written, directed by, and starring Dakota Gorman tries to do something different. It doesn’t always land the jump, but it’s remarkably honest about being a twenty-something in a city where everything feels expensive and nothing feels permanent.
It’s about three friends. They’re struggling.
Sage, played by Gorman herself, is a bit of a disaster. She’s dealing with a breakup, a career that isn't moving, and a general sense of "what now?" Her friends Morgan and Casey are right there with her, navigating their own specific brands of chaos. It’s a film that exists in that weird space between graduation and actually feeling like an adult. You know that feeling. The one where you’re pretty sure everyone else has a manual for life that you somehow missed in the mail.
Breaking Down the All About Sex Movie Plot and Themes
When you sit down to watch the All About Sex movie, don't expect a high-concept blockbuster. This is a character study. It’s a low-budget indie that thrives on dialogue and chemistry rather than flashy set pieces. The core of the story revolves around the pressure to have everything figured out—sexually, professionally, and emotionally.
Gorman’s character, Sage, is a writer. This is a classic trope, sure, but it works here because her writer’s block is tied directly to her emotional stagnation. She’s stuck. Her friend Morgan, played by Natalee Linez, is trying to balance a relationship that looks good on paper but feels empty in practice. Then there’s Casey, played by Emma Dekers, who provides a lot of the heart and the grounding for the trio.
The film tackles some heavy themes, but it keeps a light touch. It looks at the concept of "sexual liberation" and asks if we're actually liberated or just overwhelmed by choices. Honestly, it’s refreshing to see a movie admit that sex can be boring, weird, or just plain disappointing. It moves away from the "Sex and the City" glamorization of urban life and moves toward something a bit more lived-in.
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The pacing is deliberate. Some might call it slow. I’d call it atmospheric. It captures the rhythm of those long afternoons when you’re talking to your friends and realize that none of you actually knows what you're doing with your lives.
Why the Cast Makes it Work
Indie films live or die on their performances. If you don't believe the friendship, the whole thing falls apart. Luckily, the chemistry in the All About Sex movie feels authentic.
- Dakota Gorman: As the writer/director/lead, she carries the most weight. Her performance is vulnerable. She isn't afraid to make Sage unlikable at times, which is a brave choice for a debut filmmaker.
- Natalee Linez: She brings a sharpness to Morgan that contrasts well with Sage’s more ethereal, lost-soul vibe.
- Emma Dekers: Casey is often the "glue," and Dekers plays her with a warmth that prevents the movie from feeling too cynical.
- Dillon Lane: Playing the love interest/catalyst, he brings a grounded energy that keeps the romantic subplots from feeling too much like a soap opera.
The Realism of the "Quarter-Life Crisis"
There is a specific kind of anxiety that hits when you realize your twenties are half over and you haven't "arrived" yet. The All About Sex movie taps into this perfectly. It’s not just about sex; it’s about the vulnerability that comes with letting people see you fail.
The movie explores how we use sex to distract ourselves. Or to validate ourselves. It shows how the characters use their bodies to try and fix their minds, and how that usually backfires. It’s a messy process. The film doesn't offer easy answers, which is probably why it resonated with its niche audience when it hit VOD platforms.
Production and Reception: What Really Happened
Making an indie movie is a nightmare. It’s a miracle anything gets finished, let alone distributed. Dakota Gorman managed to get this made on a modest budget, and it premiered during a very weird time for the film industry—right as the world was shifting in 2020.
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Because of the timing, it didn't get a massive theatrical run. It found its life on streaming. On Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, the reviews are mixed, which is exactly what you'd expect for a film this specific. Some critics felt it was too "navel-gazing," while younger viewers often felt it was one of the few movies that actually spoke their language.
One thing people get wrong about the All About Sex movie is expecting it to be a raunchy comedy. It’s not American Pie. It’s much closer to something like Girls or Frances Ha. It’s more interested in the conversation after the sex than the act itself. If you go in expecting a slapstick comedy, you’re going to be disappointed. But if you want a dry, sarcastic look at modern intimacy, it hits the mark.
The Style and Visuals
Visually, the film uses a lot of natural light. It feels intimate. The cinematography by Senda Bonnet helps ground the story in a reality that feels familiar. It’s not overly stylized. The locations—mostly apartments, bars, and city streets—feel like places you’ve actually been.
This lack of "polish" is intentional. It mirrors the lives of the characters. Their apartments are slightly cluttered. Their hair isn't always perfect. It’s a "human-quality" production that values authenticity over aesthetic perfection.
Critical Takeaways and Surprising Details
What’s interesting about the All About Sex movie is how it handles the male characters. They aren't just villains or one-dimensional props. They are often just as confused as the women. It’s a refreshing change from the "men are from Mars, women are from Venus" trope that plagued rom-coms for decades.
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- The Soundtrack: The music is indie-heavy and fits the mood perfectly. It’s the kind of playlist you’d make for a road trip where you don’t actually have a destination.
- The Dialogue: It’s snappy. Sometimes it feels a bit "written," but for the most part, it captures how people in their twenties actually talk—lots of "like," "kinda," and trailing off when things get too real.
- The Title Change: The shift from Sage Alexander to All About Sex was clearly a marketing move. It’s a bit clickbaity, honestly. The original title suggests a character study, while the new one suggests a documentary or a sex-ed film. This discrepancy probably led to some of the mixed reviews from people who felt misled by the title.
Misconceptions vs. Reality
People often think this is a "chick flick." That's a lazy label. It’s a movie about the human condition that happens to focus on three women. Men can (and should) watch it because it offers a pretty unvarnished look at what the women in their lives might be thinking but not saying.
Another misconception is that it’s strictly for Gen Z. While the characters are young, the themes of feeling lost and seeking connection are universal. Anyone who has ever looked at their life and wondered "is this it?" will find something to relate to here.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going to watch the All About Sex movie, do it on a night when you’re feeling a bit reflective. It’s a "wine and a blanket" kind of movie. Pay attention to the background details in Sage’s apartment—they tell you more about her character than some of the dialogue does.
Look for the small moments of silence. That’s where the best acting happens. The movie is available on various VOD platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Vudu. It’s easy to find if you’re looking, though it often gets buried under bigger titles with similar names.
Final Actionable Insights for Viewers
To get the most out of this film, you have to meet it on its own terms. It is an exploration of a very specific time of life.
- Check the original title context: Understanding that the movie was originally titled after the main character, Sage Alexander, helps you realize that the story is her personal journey, not a definitive guide to sex.
- Watch for the directorial debut cues: Since this was Dakota Gorman's first feature, it’s a great study for aspiring filmmakers on how to utilize limited locations and a small cast to tell an expansive emotional story.
- Compare it to the "Mumblecore" genre: If you enjoy films by Greta Gerwig or the Duplass brothers, this movie will likely be right up your alley. It shares that "low-stakes, high-emotion" DNA.
- Ignore the "Sex" in the title: Don't go in looking for erotica. Go in looking for a story about friendship and the terrifying transition into adulthood.
If you are looking for a film that captures the specific, uncomfortable, and eventually rewarding process of finding yourself, the All About Sex movie is worth the ninety minutes of your time. It’s honest, it’s a bit rough around the edges, and it’s very, very human.
To actually engage with the film's themes, try watching it alongside other 2020 indie releases. You'll see a pattern of filmmakers trying to find intimacy in an increasingly disconnected world. Keep an eye on Dakota Gorman’s future projects; she has a voice that is only going to get sharper and more refined as she moves further away from her debut. This film is the starting point of what could be a very interesting career in independent cinema.