Adult World

Fresh out of college, Amy keeps a poet's dream at the forefront of her life. She moves to a city that never sleeps well enough to feed her ambitions, and while she looks for a publishing break she takes a job at an offbeat sex shop. The position seems odd but practical, offering cash, a front row seat to adult culture, and a chance to observe real lives that might shelter her poetry with grit and honesty. She hopes a mentorship from Rat Billings, a famous but reclusive writer, will tune her voice and push her toward a debut. The balance between art and survival becomes a playful yet pointed contest of ideals. In crowded subway cars and cramped apartments the film crafts a snapshot of young adulthood full of miscommunication, misfires, and stubborn hope.

Directed by Scott Coffey the film unfolds from an original screenplay and anchors its quirky run in strong performances by Emma Roberts, Evan Peters, and John Cusack, with a limited release following festival play.

The movie had a modest release and attracted limited box office attention, with numbers not widely reported. It later found a niche audience on streaming.

Adult World did not receive major awards or nominations. It did, however, attract attention from indie cinema circles for its offbeat humor and its cast chemistry. Some critics highlighted the film as a solid example of a modern coming of age comedy.

Critics gave it a mixed reception, praising the cast especially Emma Roberts for grounding the comedy with earnest offbeat charm and criticizing the pacing at times. Thematically the movie probes artistic ambition against financial realities, sexual awakening against social expectations, and the awkward truth of growing up. The mentor figure embodies the tension between artistic integrity and commercial appeal, while the city backdrop mirrors the uncertain path from fantasy to responsibility.