How to Be Single (2016)

How to Be Single is a 2016 romantic comedy directed by Christian Ditter, based on the novel by Liz Tuccillo. Set in New York City, the film explores modern relationships, independence, and the complex world of dating through the intertwined stories of several characters. It’s a mix of humor, heart, and real-world emotional truths—especially for anyone navigating love and identity in their 20s or 30s.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Alice’s Break for Self-Discovery

The story kicks off with Alice (Dakota Johnson) deciding to take a break from her long-term boyfriend Josh to figure out who she is outside of a relationship. She moves to New York City, takes a job as a paralegal, and is immediately thrown into the fast-paced world of single life.

She meets Robin (Rebel Wilson), a wild, party-loving coworker who serves as Alice’s guide to nightlife and one-night stands. Robin introduces her to bars, Tinder, and “the rules” of being single in the city.

Meg’s Story: Choosing Single Motherhood

Alice’s sister Meg (Leslie Mann) is a career-focused OB/GYN who initially believes she has no time or interest in love or children. However, after delivering so many babies, she experiences a change of heart and decides to become a single mother via sperm donation.

Her life gets more complicated when she meets Ken (Jake Lacy), a much younger man who falls for her—and wants to be part of her and her baby’s life.

Lucy’s Algorithmic Love Search

Meanwhile, Lucy (Alison Brie) is obsessed with finding “the one” using online dating algorithms. She spends her days in a coffee shop above the bar owned by Tom (Anders Holm), a serial womanizer who avoids commitment at all costs. Despite their very different views on love, a unique connection starts to form between them.

Tom’s Transformation

Tom enjoys a no-strings-attached lifestyle and is proud of it—until he starts to realize he might actually care about Lucy. Unfortunately, by the time he acknowledges his feelings, Lucy has already moved on and found someone else who aligns with her romantic goals.

Alice’s Romantic Confusion

Back to Alice—after a few drunken hookups, emotional breakdowns, and confusing flings (including with her ex Josh and a sweet guy named David), she starts to realize she’s been trying to define herself through men. Her journey becomes about learning to enjoy being on her own.

Movie Ending

The film ends on a note of self-discovery and personal growth, rather than the traditional romantic comedy wrap-up where everyone finds their soulmate.

Alice, after an emotional rollercoaster of failed relationships, breakups, and awkward rebounds, finally understands what she was truly looking for: not a man, but a sense of self-sufficiency and identity. On New Year’s Eve, rather than attending a party or going on a date, she decides to go on a solo hike—something she’d always wanted to do. She watches the sunrise alone, feeling whole for the first time.

Meg, who initially wanted to raise her child alone, allows herself to be vulnerable with Ken. She lets him into her and her baby’s life, accepting that love can come in unexpected packages.

Lucy, having moved past her overly structured approach to dating, ends up with a man she met organically. She’s no longer obsessed with planning every step—learning that love doesn’t always follow algorithms.

Tom, on the other hand, experiences regret. He realizes too late that he genuinely cared for Lucy. His arc ends more bittersweet than the others, as he remains single, but perhaps finally open to the idea of a real relationship.

In the final montage, we see each character moving forward, now with a deeper understanding of themselves. It’s a refreshing departure from the usual rom-com tropes: the movie champions self-love and independence over happily-ever-after clichés.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, How to Be Single does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the film fades to black and the credits roll, there are no bonus clips or surprises. You’re free to leave the theater—or the couch—without missing anything extra.

Type of Movie

This is a romantic comedy, with strong themes of female empowerment, modern dating, and personal growth. It leans into classic rom-com energy while subverting many of its conventions.

Cast

• Dakota Johnson as Alice
• Rebel Wilson as Robin
• Leslie Mann as Meg
• Alison Brie as Lucy
• Anders Holm as Tom
• Damon Wayans Jr. as David
• Jake Lacy as Ken
• Nicholas Braun as Josh
• Jason Mantzoukas as George

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Fil Eisler, but much of the movie’s energy comes from its upbeat and diverse soundtrack. The film features songs from artists like Charli XCX, Avicii, and Hailee Steinfeld, perfectly reflecting the party-filled, fast-paced lifestyle of the characters.

Filming Locations

• New York City, USA – Filmed across multiple iconic locations in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. The city is almost a character itself—reflecting the freedom, chaos, and possibilities of being single.
• Notably, scenes were shot at real NYC bars and coffee shops, adding a dose of authenticity to the characters’ experiences.

Awards and Nominations

How to Be Single did not win or receive major awards, though it gained attention for its cast chemistry and feminist approach to the rom-com genre. Rebel Wilson’s performance, in particular, was praised for its comedic timing.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The cast spent time together off-set to build chemistry—especially Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, whose dynamic drives much of the film.
• Rebel Wilson improvised many of her lines, adding spontaneous humor to several scenes.
• Leslie Mann filmed some of her scenes while pregnant in real life, adding realism to her storyline.
• The script went through multiple drafts to modernize the tone and make the female characters more independent and relatable.

Inspirations and References

The movie is based on the novel How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo, who also co-wrote He’s Just Not That Into You. The book is more philosophical and less plot-driven, focusing on the emotional experiences of being single. The movie takes liberties, turning the introspective material into a multi-character narrative with intertwining love lives.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate ending was ever officially released, some deleted scenes can be found on the DVD/Blu-ray release. These include:

• A longer version of Robin’s “hangover cure” scene
• Additional footage of Lucy’s failed online dates
• A more extended conversation between Alice and David that hinted at a possible rekindling (cut to keep focus on Alice’s self-growth)

Book Adaptations and Differences

The book is more essayistic and focused on one woman’s experience, while the film expands it into an ensemble piece. The film also adds entirely new characters and storylines (such as Robin and Lucy) to flesh out its message of diversity in being single.

In short: the book is reflective, the film is comedic and ensemble-driven.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Robin’s clubbing tutorial for Alice: “Drink water between every drink!”
• Meg delivering a baby, then discovering she’s pregnant herself
• Alice waking up alone on New Year’s Day and going on a solo hike
• Lucy’s meltdown at the wedding where she realizes her dating algorithm doesn’t guarantee love

Iconic Quotes

• Robin: “You have to be comfortable with yourself alone before you can be comfortable with someone else.”
• Alice: “The thing about being single is… you should cherish it.”
• Meg: “You don’t need a man to have a baby.”
• Tom: “Sleeping with people is easy. But connecting with someone… that’s hard.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Lucy’s online profile username is a reference to Liz Tuccillo’s book.
• The bar where Tom works is actually based on a real NYC bar that the screenwriters frequented.
• The recurring motif of New Year’s Eve acts as a metaphor for new beginnings.

Trivia

• This is one of the few rom-coms where the main character doesn’t end up with anyone romantically.
• Rebel Wilson did all her own stunts, including a hilarious fall down a fire escape.
• The script originally had Alice getting back together with David, but test audiences preferred the solo ending.

Why Watch?

Watch this if you’re tired of cliché rom-coms and want something a little more realistic, funny, and empowering. It’s not about finding “the one”—it’s about finding yourself first.

Director’s Other Movies

• Love, Rosie (2014)
• The Perfect Dictatorship (2014) – co-director
• What a Man (2011)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
• He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
• The Intern (2015)
• Trainwreck (2015)
• Friends with Benefits (2011)