How to Be

  • 2008
  • NR
  • 85m
movieMx RATING
4.8
40
VERDICT
AVERAGE
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How to Be Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 17, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 17, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: How to Be

MovieHow to Be
Release Year2008
DirectorOliver Irving
GenreComedy / Drama
Runtime85 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is How to Be (2008) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in How to Be are led by Robert Pattinson . The supporting cast, including Powell Jones and Johnny White , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of How to Be (2008) is disappointing. Even for die-hard fans, this one is a tough sell. With a platform rating of 4.8/10, it currently stands as a AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While How to Be does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, How to Be has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: How to Be

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2008, How to Be is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Oliver Irving. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Robert Pattinson.

Ending Explained: How to Be

How to Be Ending Explained: Directed by Oliver Irving, How to Be attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.

The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Robert Pattinson. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
  • Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of How to Be reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch How to Be?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Comedy films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: How to Be

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $500.0K
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

How to Be Budget

The estimated production budget for How to Be is $500.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: How to Be

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Where to Watch How to Be Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Prime Video with Ads

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

How to Be Parents Guide & Age Rating

2008 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about How to Be age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

How to Be is rated NR.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of How to Be is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.8/10, and global performance metrics, How to Be is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2008 cinematic calendar.

AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for How to Be. Rating: 4.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is How to Be worth watching?

How to Be is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 4.8/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find How to Be parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for How to Be identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of How to Be?

The total duration of How to Be is 85 minutes, which is approximately 1h 25m long.

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How How to Be Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for How to Be

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 4.8
How to Be
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