Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bittersweet road-trip movie with graphic sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN tells the story of the friendship between Tenoch (Diego Luna) and Julio (Gael García Bernal) as they come to the end of high school and start to think about their futures. With their girlfriends off in Europe for the summer, Tenoch and Julio don't have much to do, so they spend most of their time pursuing pleasure wherever they can get it. When they meet Luisa (Maribel Verdú), a beautiful and slightly older woman, they invite her to join them on a road trip to the beach. To their surprise, she accepts the invitation, so the three set out of Mexico City with a car full of camping gear and a vague set of directions. Freedom and the open road bring out surprising truths, half-truths, betrayals, and discoveries that none could anticipate.
Is It Any Good?
It's a remarkable achievement to take two mostly unlikeable, raunchy teens and craft a bittersweet, moving, coming-of-age movie that has you rooting for the boys almost before you know it. Acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón does just that with Y Tu Mamá También, thanks largely to the amazing performances he gets from his two young costars, so vibrant and full of life that they'll stay with you long after the closing credits.
The fantastic script places Luisa directly between the two, and thanks to Maribel Verdu's strong performance she challenges them, and the audience, to think about life, what it has to offer, what we have to bring to our own and others' lives, truth, sex, friendship, loyalty, growing up, and more. Absolutely not for kids because of the graphic sex, profanity, and drug use, but a great way to start thoughts and conversations about life for those ready for the strong content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the sex in Y Tu Mamá También. Is it gratuitous? Does it tell you anything about the story or the characters? How much is too much in movies?
What about the drinking, drugs, and smoking? Are any consequences shown? What are some of the real risks in underage drinking and smoking pot?
How much profanity is OK in movies? Why? Does the profanity seem realistic to you?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 8, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: October 22, 2002
- Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal , Diego Luna , Maribel Verdu
- Director: Alfonso Cuaron
- Inclusion Information: Latino directors, Latino actors, Female actors
- Studio: IFC Films
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship
- Run time: 106 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Strong sexual content involving teens, drug use, and language
- Last updated: June 29, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Watch Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate