🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Michael Showalter
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
- Release year: 2024
- Runtime (length): 1h 55min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (71K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A 40-year-old gets a boyfriend who’s basically Harry Styles, and everyone gets real mad about it until they don’t.
🍿 The Idea of You: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Unexpected Encounter at Coachella
Solène Marchand, a 40-year-old divorced art gallery owner, reluctantly chaperones her teenage daughter Izzy’s trip to Coachella after her ex-husband cancels. While at the festival, Solène stumbles into the trailer of Hayes Campbell, the 24-year-old lead singer of the popular boy band August Moon, leading to an immediate spark between them. This chance meeting sets the stage for an unexpected romance.

A Whirlwind Romance Begins
Hayes pursues Solène, visiting her art gallery and buying all the pieces. He charms her with his genuine interest in her life and art. Despite her initial hesitation due to the age gap and his fame, Solène finds herself drawn to Hayes’s vulnerability and passion. Their connection deepens, leading to a secret rendezvous in New York City and an invitation to join August Moon’s European tour.

Challenges of Fame and Societal Pressure
As their relationship progresses, Solène struggles with the challenges of dating someone in the public eye. The paparazzi’s constant presence and the judgmental scrutiny of social media take a toll on her and her family. She also grapples with the societal expectations and the reactions of those around her, including her daughter and ex-husband, who voice concerns about the relationship.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Solène (Anne Hathaway): A divorced 40-year-old art gallery owner who unexpectedly falls for a much younger pop star.
- Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine): The 24-year-old lead singer of August Moon who pursues a relationship with Solène, despite their age difference and his fame.
- Izzy (Ella Rubin): Solène’s teenage daughter who initially supports her mother’s relationship but later faces social challenges due to it.
- Daniel (Reid Scott): Solène’s ex-husband who expresses concern about the impact of her relationship on their daughter.
- Tracy (Annie Mumolo): Solène’s best friend, who offers support and advice throughout her unexpected romance.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Solène: “I didn’t know my being happy would piss so many people off.” – Solène says this to Tracy, expressing her frustration about the public scrutiny and negativity surrounding her relationship.
- Tracy: “People hate happy women.” – Tracy responds to Solène, highlighting the societal bias against women who defy expectations and embrace their happiness.
- Hayes: “Age is just a number.” – Hayes says this to Solène, dismissing her concerns about their age difference.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $36,178
💥 The Idea of You Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit, I went into this expecting a cheesy rom-com, but I was pleasantly surprised! Anne Hathaway is fantastic, and the chemistry with Nicholas Galitzine is electric. The scene where they first meet at Coachella is so awkward and cute. I really felt for Solène dealing with the judgment from everyone. It made me think about double standards and how we treat women differently. The ending was satisfying, and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of romantic comedies”
- “Viewers interested in stories with age-gap relationships”
- “Fans of Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine”
- “Those who enjoy movies about fame and its impact on relationships”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Suggestive content”
- “Mature themes”
- “Language”
- “Depiction of paparazzi and media intrusion”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Hathaway delivers a strong performance in this surprisingly charming rom-com that explores age gap relationships and societal judgment. It’s more than just a fluffy romance; it delves into balancing motherhood and personal happiness, and the chemistry between the leads is undeniable.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While formulaic, ‘The Idea of You’ succeeds thanks to Anne Hathaway’s captivating performance. The movie explores the challenges and societal pressures of an unconventional romance, making it a relatable and thought-provoking watch.
Audience Reactions
The chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine is amazing!: Viewers praise the film for its heartwarming story and the realistic portrayal of an older woman/younger man relationship.
The first kiss scene was so epic, could feel the tension between the actors.: Fans praise this movie for showing what is like to date in your 40s and taking control of your happiness.
Overall Consensus: A charming and surprisingly emotional rom-com that explores unconventional relationships and societal expectations, elevated by strong performances from the leads.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Robinne Lee, which was rumored to be inspired by Harry Styles and fanfiction.”
- “Anne Hathaway and production designer Amy Williams collaborated to source authentic artwork for the film, emphasizing its role as a focal point.”
- “Director Michael Showalter aimed to portray Hayes and the concept of being in a boy band seriously, avoiding making it a joke.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Idea of You?
The Idea of You is available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video with a Prime Video subscription. You can also rent or purchase the movie through platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for cable or satellite on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Idea of You, you might like these similar films:
- Notting Hill (1999): Features a romance between a ‘regular’ person and a celebrity, exploring the challenges of fame and public scrutiny.
- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015): Explores a fantastical romance where a seemingly ordinary woman is pursued intensely by a wealthy and desirable younger man, fulfilling a similar wish-fulfillment fantasy.
- May December (2023): Deals with the controversial relationship between an older woman and a younger man. A psychological drama that examines the dynamic from multiple perspectives.
🛒 The Idea of You Related Products
- The Idea of You: The Novel: The original book that inspired the movie, delving deeper into the characters and their emotional journey.
- August Moon T-Shirt: Show your love for August Moon with this stylish t-shirt featuring the band’s logo.
- Anne Hathaway Movie Collection (DVD): Enjoy a collection of Anne Hathaway’s best films, including romantic comedies and dramas.
- Coachella Music Festival: The Documentary: Relive the magic of Coachella with this in-depth documentary featuring artist performances and behind-the-scenes footage.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Idea of You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Dance Before We Walk” – performed by August Moon
- “Guard Down” – performed by August Moon
- “Taste” – performed by August Moon
- “The Idea of You” – performed by August Moon
- “I Got You” – performed by August Moon
- “Closer” – performed by August Moon
- “Light On” – performed by Maggie Rogers
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While the novel The Idea of You was inspired in part by Harry Styles, the movie is not a direct adaptation of fan fiction. The author, Robinne Lee, has spoken about how the idea came to her after watching a Harry Styles concert, but the story is original.
The Idea of You is currently streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. It may also be available for rent or purchase on other digital platforms.
In the movie, Solène is 40 years old and Hayes is 24 years old, making the age gap 16 years.
🔥 Bonus Content
Look who found each other at SXSW | The Idea of You
OMG, look who showed up at SXSW! Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine are so cute together, you can practically feel the chemistry! Definitely worth a quick watch!
He bought everything in the art gallery just to impress her 🤭
Can you imagine someone buying an entire art gallery just to impress you?! This clip is hilarious and so romantic – definitely goals! You gotta see it.
Hayes and Solène’s First Kiss | The Idea Of You | Prime Video
Get ready to swoon! This first kiss scene is so steamy, it’s impossible not to ship them immediately. Trust me, you NEED to see this!
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