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Loser

Loser

Dare to be different.

200098 minPG-13Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
Director
Amy Heckerling
Starring
Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, Zak Orth, Thomas Sadoski

On a university scholarship, a good natured student from the midwest gets a crash course in city life while dealing with three evil roommates. He befriends a virtually homeless college student whom he falls for, but she's dating a nasty professor.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Loser?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Loser streaming on Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Loser?

Loser earns 6 badges, led by Overhyped and Before they were famous.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Loser worth watching?

Loser's Midcredits score is the 20th percentile of all films, from 66K ratings across 6 sources. 27% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

20th percentile

Better received than 20% of films

20th percentile among Comedy20th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)25th
Approval (how many liked it)18th

54 /100

25th percentile of all films

26th percentile among Comedy25th percentile among 2000s

Critics 35 · Audience 55

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.5 — solid but not unanimous.

27% liked it

18th percentile of all films

17th percentile among Comedy16th percentile among 2000s
27% rated it 7–1073% rated it 1–6

Critics 24% · Audience 35%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

93rd percentile

66K ratings across platforms

93rd percentile among Comedy88th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 39% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$20M
Opening weekend$6M
Domestic gross$16M
Worldwide gross$18M

Returned 0.9× its budget — 81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A predictable teen romantic comedy about a nice guy from a small town who goes to college in New York, falls for a girl in a bad relationship, and eventually wins her over.

Fans praised

  • genuine chemistry between Biggs and Suvari
  • sweet, feel-good romance with heart
  • relatable underdog story with a positive message

Detractors panned

  • predictable, clichéd plot with no surprises
  • unlikeable, over-the-top supporting characters
  • weak script and direction from Heckerling

What stands out

ActingDivisive60

leads have charming chemistry but performances are uneven

CharactersDivisive40

protagonist likable but one-dimensional, roommates and professor cartoonishly villainous

Plot and storyDivisive30

extremely predictable and formulaic romantic comedy structure

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 1 point apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 8 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Loser like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
HopefulWarmRomantic
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its characters with affection and plays the romance straight, with gentle humour rather than irony.
The rideThe film seems to sustain a light, warm, hopeful register from start to finish, with no major tonal swings.
StructureConventional linear narrative following Paul's arrival at college, his conflicts, and his romance.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's lighthearted tone and happy ending leave a warm, optimistic afterglow.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA classic romantic comedy in which a kind-hearted college student pines for a girl who is dating her professor, eventually winning her over after she realizes his worth.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Paul's pursuit of Dora and the question of whether genuine love can overcome social disdain.
StanceThe film affirms that genuine decency and love can prevail over social ridicule and selfishness.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalPopSupportive music · original score · David Kitay
Settinga New York City college campus and an animal hospital room
MusicLikely a light, upbeat score complementing the romantic-comedy tone.

Content guide

Is Loser okay for kids?

PG-13

Loser is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for drug content, crude sexual material and language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (42/100), sexual content at moderate (51/100), language at moderate (50/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (61/100) and frightening material at mild (28/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • Germany6
  • Ireland15
  • JapanG
  • Czechia18+
  • Denmark15
  • Hungary18
  • MexicoB
  • PortugalM/12
  • SK12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 92%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (37 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Loser have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Loser?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Jason Biggs
as Paul Tannek
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Mena Suvari
as Dora Diamond
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Zak Orth
as Adam
Thomas Sadoski
as Chris
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jimmi Simpson
as Noah
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Greg Kinnear
as Prof. Edward Alcott
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Dan Aykroyd
as Dad
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Twink Caplan
as Gena
Bobby Slayton
as Sal
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Robert Miano
as Victor

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Loser?

Movies like Loser include Look Who's Talking (1989), That Awkward Moment (2014) and Love Potion No. 9 (1992). Of the 12 closest matches, most are friends-to-lovers stories, and several are films set at college.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: romantic comedy. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Loser?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: friends to lovers. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.