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Set It Up (2018) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Set It Up (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 105 min · English
Echo score 75
JustWatch #17,631 8
Directed by
Claire Scanlon
Starring
Pete Davidson, Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Meredith Hagner, Noah Robbins, Tituss Burgess

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.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Set It Up
  8. 8 Categories
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Set It Up (2018)

Where can you watch Set It Up? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Set It Up Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Set It Up (2018), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Harper Moore (Zoey Deutch)

    Harper is an ambitious assistant with aspirations in sports journalism, navigating the challenges of her demanding boss, Kirsten. Her relatable struggles with work-life balance, along with her dreamer spirit, make her a character that resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed yet hopeful.

    • 📝 Aspiration
    • 🔍 Determination
  • Charlie Young (Glen Powell)

    Charlie is a charming assistant who finds himself caught between his harsh boss, Rick, and his feelings for Harper. He embodies a mix of ambition and vulnerability, showcasing the difficulty of maintaining his career while pursuing genuine connections.

    • 💼 Career
    • ❤️ Romance
  • Kirsten Stevens (Lucy Liu)

    Kirsten is a former journalist and the high-powered editor of an online sports platform. Her demanding nature reflects the pressures of the industry, and she serves as both a mentor and a challenge for Harper, capturing the complexities of modern female leadership.

    • 👩‍💼 Leadership
    • 📚 Journalism
  • Rick Otis (Taye Diggs)

    Rick is a high-strung venture capitalist whose harsh demeanor places immense pressure on Charlie. His ulterior motives and complicated relationships create tension throughout the narrative, illustrating the darker side of ambition and power in the business world.

    • 📉 Power
    • 🥴 Conflict
  • Creepy Tim (Tituss Burgess)

    Creepy Tim is the eccentric janitor who becomes an unexpected ally in Harper and Charlie's schemes. His quirky demeanor adds a comedic element to the film while also highlighting the different perspectives of those working behind the scenes.

    • 😜 Quirkiness
    • 🎭 Comedy

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:37

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Setting

Where and When Does Set It Up Take Place?

The setting of Set It Up (2018): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film captures contemporary life in a fast-paced urban environment, reflecting modern workplace dynamics and relationships. It explores themes relevant to today's workforce, such as ambition, romance, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives.

Location

New York City

The movie takes place in New York City, a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline, diverse culture, and vibrant business scene. As a hub for finance, media, and entertainment, it's the perfect backdrop for the high-stakes careers of the main characters who navigate the pressures of their demanding jobs.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 📈 Business

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:37

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3 major themes

Set It Up Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Set It Up (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Romantic Manipulation

    The film explores romantic manipulation as Harper and Charlie conspire to connect their demanding bosses, using various schemes to orchestrate their relational dynamics. This theme raises questions about ethical boundaries in pursuing love and the weight of personal sacrifices for professional gains.

  • Friendship

    Harper and Charlie's burgeoning friendship is central to the storyline, showcasing how shared struggles in the workplace can lead to profound connections. Their alliance drives the plot forward, highlighting the importance of support and camaraderie in navigating professional challenges.

  • Ambition

    Ambition is a prevalent theme as both Harper and Charlie strive to achieve their dreams in competitive careers. Their journey illustrates the sacrifices made in pursuit of success and the emotional toll it can take, especially when faced with demanding boss figures.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:37

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Character & theme questions

Set It Up Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Set It Up (2018): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Set It Up set?

The movie takes place in New York City, serving as a vibrant backdrop for the high-stakes careers of the main characters. The city's bustling business scene, iconic skyline, and diverse culture create the perfect environment for the fast-paced professional lives of the protagonists.

  • new york city
  • setting
  • location
  • nyc
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

Set It Up is set in contemporary times, reflecting modern workplace dynamics and the fast-paced urban lifestyle of today. The film captures current themes relevant to today's workforce, including ambition, romance, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • 2018
Q3

What is the romantic manipulation theme about?

The film explores romantic manipulation as the two assistants scheme to connect their demanding bosses, raising questions about ethical boundaries in pursuing love. Harper and Charlie orchestrate encounters between Kirsten and Rick, using elaborate plans to manipulate relational dynamics, which leads them to question the weight of personal sacrifices for professional gains.

  • romantic manipulation
  • theme
  • ethics
  • matchmaking
Q4

How does friendship drive the story?

Harper and Charlie's budding friendship forms the emotional core of the film. As they share struggles in the workplace, their alliance deepens into a profound connection that drives the plot forward. Their partnership showcases how shared professional challenges can lead to meaningful relationships and highlights the importance of support in navigating career pressures.

  • friendship
  • alliance
  • workplace relationship
  • charlie
  • harper
Q5

How is ambition portrayed in the movie?

Ambition is a central theme as both Harper and Charlie pursue their dreams in highly competitive careers. Harper aspires to become a sports journalist, while Charlie navigates the demands of working for a high-strung venture capitalist. Their journey illustrates the sacrifices made in pursuit of success and the emotional toll of balancing demanding jobs with personal aspirations.

  • ambition
  • career
  • success
  • dreams
  • sports journalism
Q6

Who is Harper Moore and what are her goals?

Harper Moore, played by Zoey Deutch, is an ambitious assistant working for Kirsten Stevens at an online sports platform. She dreams of becoming a sports journalist and navigates the challenges of her demanding boss while maintaining a hopeful spirit. Her journey reflects the struggles of work-life balance faced by many young professionals in competitive industries.

  • harper moore
  • zoey deutch
  • sports journalism
  • goals
Q7

Who is Charlie Young and what motivates him?

Charlie Young, played by Glen Powell, is a charming assistant working for venture capitalist Rick Otis. He finds himself caught between his demanding career and his growing feelings for Harper. Charlie embodies a mix of ambition and vulnerability, showcasing the difficulty of maintaining professional success while pursuing genuine personal connections.

  • charlie young
  • glen powell
  • motivation
  • rick otis
Q8

What is Kirsten's role in the story?

Kirsten Stevens, played by Lucy Liu, is a former journalist and the high-powered editor of an online sports platform. She serves as Harper's demanding boss, reflecting the intense pressures of the media industry. Kirsten represents the complexities of modern female leadership, acting both as a mentor and a challenge for Harper throughout the film.

  • kirsten stevens
  • lucy liu
  • editor
  • boss
  • sports platform
Q9

What kind of character is Rick Otis?

Rick Otis, played by Taye Diggs, is a high-strung venture capitalist who serves as Charlie's harsh boss. His demanding demeanor places immense pressure on Charlie, creating tension throughout the narrative. Rick's ulterior motives and complicated relationships illustrate the darker side of ambition and power in the business world.

  • rick otis
  • taye diggs
  • venture capitalist
  • boss
  • power
Q10

What is the tone and style of the movie?

Set It Up features a light, playful tone with witty banter between the leads and an overall optimistic outlook. The film follows a straightforward narrative structure centered on the matchmaking scheme, combining romantic comedy elements with workplace humor. The conflicts are primarily interpersonal and comedic, avoiding heavy themes in favor of charming complications.

  • comedy
  • tone
  • romantic comedy
  • lighthearted
  • humor
Q11

Does the movie have a happy ending?

Yes, Set It Up concludes with a clearly happy ending. The film resolves the temporary betrayal when the bosses' ulterior motives are revealed, leading to a satisfying conclusion where both Harper and Charlie achieve personal and romantic fulfillment. The ending aligns with the feel-good nature of the romantic comedy genre.

  • ending
  • happy ending
  • resolution
  • romance

Movie threads

More Movies Like Set It Up, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Set It Up tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Matchmaking Mishaps Movies Like Set It Up

Characters whose elaborate plans to set up others lead to their own unexpected romance. If you enjoyed the clever plotting and romantic chaos of Set It Up, you'll love these films. This collection features charming romantic comedies where characters try to orchestrate love for others, only to find their own hearts entangled. Discover more movies like Set It Up with witty banter, lighthearted schemes, and feel-good endings.

  • matchmaking
  • witty
  • romantic
  • playful
  • optimistic
  • charming
  • Tone: light, playful, optimistic
  • Pacing: steady, comedic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a cause-and-effect structure driven by a central scheme. Characters initiate a plan to manipulate the romantic lives of others, leading to a series of orchestrated encounters. Complications arise from misunderstandings, unforeseen feelings, or the subjects of the scheme having their own agendas, forcing the schemers to adapt. The climax often involves the scheme unraveling, revealing the true romantic connection between the planners themselves.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a light, optimistic tone and a focus on the humorous complications of playing matchmaker. They feature witty, fast-talking characters, a steady pacing filled with comedic set pieces, and a central narrative built around a plan that spirals charmingly out of control, ultimately leading to personal and romantic growth.

Workplace Romance Comedies Similar to Set It Up

Finding love and self-discovery while navigating the demands of ambitious city life. Fans of Set It Up's blend of office life and romance will find more to love here. Explore movies like Set It Up that capture the humor and heart of finding love while climbing the corporate ladder. These similar stories feature ambitious characters, the bustling energy of city life, and the sweet complications of workplace relationships.

  • workplace
  • urban
  • ambitious
  • relatable
  • upbeat
  • city life
  • Tone: upbeat, relatable, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The journey centers on characters defined by their professional aspirations, often feeling overworked or unfulfilled. Their work environment—be it an office, a high-stakes industry, or a shared project—serves as the catalyst for their romantic connection. The plot intertwines career-related challenges with the development of the relationship, exploring themes of work-life balance and finding what truly matters beyond professional success.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared setting and theme. They possess a light to moderate emotional weight, a steady, character-driven pace, and an upbeat, urban energy. The specific vibe comes from the blend of professional satire or struggle with a core romantic storyline, creating a relatable and aspirational feel-good experience.

If you liked this

Movies Like Set It Up

Similar movies to Set It Up: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Set It Up

Set It Up appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

Set It Up (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Set It Up in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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