A Guide to Second Date Sex is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Rachel Hirons, based on her 2011 play of the same name. The film stars Alexandra Roach and George MacKay in the lead roles of Laura and Ryan, respectively. The supporting cast includes Emma Rigby, Kae Alexander, Tom Bell, Holli Dempsey, and Michael Socha.
The story revolves around Laura and Ryan, who meet on a dating app and hit it off on their first date. However, on their second date, they both feel the pressure of making it work and start overthinking their actions. Laura, a hopeless romantic, wants Ryan to open up emotionally, while Ryan is still recovering from his past relationship.
As the night progresses, Laura and Ryan try to get to know each other better by sharing their personal stories, likes and dislikes, and fears. They also drink and smoke pot, which lowers their inhibitions and leads to some awkward encounters. However, they both realize that they are not being true to themselves and decide to be honest about who they are.
The film explores the themes of modern dating, love, and relationships, and how people often pretend to be someone else to impress their date. It also shows how being vulnerable and honest can lead to a deeper connection and understanding.
A Guide to Second Date Sex premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June 2019 and was released in the UK on February 14, 2020. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Roach and MacKay but criticized the pacing and overall execution.
