How To Have S*x is a brutal coming of age story of three girls on a holiday who wish to have the time of their lives while indulging in clubbing and hooking up with strangers. But seldom did Tara in the group know that she would be scarred for life. The story here is a brutal case study on consent and highlights the importance of S*x education particularly in a generation that might be a little too casual about it. On the hindsight though, I feel that we all have been through our share of sexual escapades and along the way may have encountered the aspect of consent while differentially being on different ends of the spectrum at multiple instances. The focus for me is particularly for women and young girls who may have been exposed to the same against their wishes while continuing to remain quiet about it. And the story here highlights exactly that in a taut screenplay of just under a 90 minutes that makes for a poignant watch. 

I was amazed with the writing presenting two different tones in a single narrative with utmost efficacy. The drama starts on a rather frivolous note with the introduction of the three protagonists, 16 year old school girls who decide to go on a holiday with extensive plans of partying and hooking up with strangers. Now holidays are fun and it is worth mentioning that they do create memories for us – good and bad both. And this vibe of the drama was expertly crafted through the antics of the protagonists who make their way through the cold banks of the ocean while continuing their merry way of partying in the wildest way possible. When it did come to hookups, you are told that one of the girls Tara is a virgin while also under severe peer pressure(from her other two friends) to have a sexual encounter in order to break her virginity. Along the way, you do realise that she may not be entirely ready for it although the pressure does seem to get to her while often making her embarassed. 

The proceedings are layered with brief tones of seriousness that underline a more frivolous drama on the surface. Having said that, the tone of the drama soon switches to something more murky and dark after Tara has her first sexual encounter. Now we all have been through phases wherein our first time(be it any form of intimacy) is often awkward and embarassing whereas the hype around it is more than the actual encounter itself. And that was briefly highlighted through the disappearance of Tara who didn’t quite know how to deal with it, particularly when she herself wasn’t ready for it. The writers do well in giving a glimpse into the psyche of Tara who is quite honestly the life of the group but also dealing with her own insecurities and peer pressures, be it her academic result or the pressure of dealing with her virginity. And this aspect of the drama blows up into a rather uncomfortable territory going forward. 

The events leading up to the final act are shocking particularly as it involved Tara being penetrated much against her wish by a guy whom she previously had a sexual encounter reluctantly. And here was an important lesson of consent, particularly for guys who think they could impose themselves of their wives and partners. It is potentially scarring for the other gender and it is time that everyone understands the importance of consent – if your partner says ‘No’ then it does mean ‘NO’. Most people may also find the ending a little abrupt while being open to interpretation. I feel that it was a courageous end simply highlighting the fact that all women who are victims of the heinous crime do not take the legal route, and are often quiet while being scarred for life. It might be owing to the fact that the society might look down upon them or even to save themselves from the ’embarassment’. And that was indicative of the end that marked a brutal holiday for Tara even as she gets a little support from Em, the one closest to her in the group. It was poignant and subtly impactful while it left me numb at the end. The screenplay is extremely well penned here.