Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Pickup Game

  • 2019
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
The Pickup Game (2019)
An inside look at the emergence of the 'pickup' industry - an business where self-styled seduction coaches travel the world, charging a small fortune to teach men skills they claim will guarantee success with women. For the instructors who are successful, it is a highly lucrative occupation, with many companies earning millions of dollars a year. It is also an industry rife with controversy and scandal. Several teachers have been deported from countries for their contentious methodologies and pickup businesses are often the subject of fierce public criticism. Despite this, men the world over collectively spend hundreds of millions of dollars to attend seminars, download online courses and have one-on-one coaching sessions with instructors they feel can give them the dating life of their dreams. In the minds of students, many of these instructors become more than just teachers. They become idols. From the glossy exterior, where courses are packaged as self-improvement, to the dark underbelly of sexual assault, pyramid scheme marketing and secret collusion The Pickup Game pulls back the curtain to reveal a world that is fascinating and horrific in equal measure.
Play trailer2:06
1 Video
1 Photo
Documentary

The Pickup Game is an inside look at the emergence of the 'pickup' industry - an business where self-styled seduction coaches travel the world, charging a small fortune to teach men skills t... Read allThe Pickup Game is an inside look at the emergence of the 'pickup' industry - an business where self-styled seduction coaches travel the world, charging a small fortune to teach men skills they claim will guarantee success with women. For the instructors who are successful, it is... Read allThe Pickup Game is an inside look at the emergence of the 'pickup' industry - an business where self-styled seduction coaches travel the world, charging a small fortune to teach men skills they claim will guarantee success with women. For the instructors who are successful, it is a highly lucrative occupation, with many companies earning millions of dollars a year. It... Read all

  • Directors
    • Barnaby O'Connor
    • Matthew O'Connor
  • Writers
    • Martyn Dunne
    • Lily Levin
    • James Littlewood
  • Stars
    • Maximilian Berger
    • Marcus Nero
    • Robert Beck
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    3.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Barnaby O'Connor
      • Matthew O'Connor
    • Writers
      • Martyn Dunne
      • Lily Levin
      • James Littlewood
    • Stars
      • Maximilian Berger
      • Marcus Nero
      • Robert Beck
    • 21User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:06
    Trailer

    Photos

    Top cast37

    Edit
    Maximilian Berger
    • Self - Executive Coach, 'Real Social Dynamics'
    • (as Maximilian Berger a.k.a. 'RSDMAX')
    Marcus Nero
    • Self - Instructor, 'Justin Wayne Dating'
    • (as Marcus Nero a.k.a. 'Justin Wayne')
    Robert Beck
    • Self - Founder, 'The Beckster Lifestyle'
    • (as Robert Beck a.k.a. 'Beckster')
    Shaun Michael
    • Self - Founder, '3 Second Rule'
    • (as Shaun Michael a.k.a. 'Discovery')
    Minnie Lane
    • Self - Dating and Personal Development Coach
    Ross Jeffries
    • Self - Author: 'How to Get the Women You Desire Into Bed'
    • (as Paul Jeffrey Ross a.k.a. 'Ross Jeffries')
    Paul Janka
    • Self - Founder, 'Attraction Formula' & Harvard Graduate
    Michael M
    • Self - Former Pickup Marketing Expert
    Nikolaos Brahimllari
    Nikolaos Brahimllari
    • Michael M
    • (voice)
    • (as Nikolaus Brahimllari)
    Andrew
    • Self - Pickup Student
    Lisa Fox
    • Self - Prosecuting Attorney & Deputy District Attorney, San Diego County
    Erik von Markovik
    • Self - Pickup Instructor, Founder of 'Social Dynamics' & Creator of 'The Mystery Method'
    • (as Eric von Markovik a.k.a. 'Mystery')
    Bruce Roth
    • Self - Instructor, 'Justin Wayne Dating'
    • (as Bruce Roth a.k.a. 'Bruce Wayne')
    Jennifer Li
    • Self - Founder, '#TakeDownJulienBlanc' Campaign
    Alex James
    • Self - Former Instructor, 'Real Social Dynamics (RSD)' & Founder, '4 Week Natural'
    Todd Valentine
    • Self - Former Instructor, 'Real Social Dynamics (RSD)' & Founder, 'Todd V Dating'
    • (as Todd Van De Hay a.k.a. Todd Valentine)
    Jackie Speier
    Jackie Speier
    • Self - Congresswoman: 14th Congressional District, California
    • (as Jacqueline Speier, Congresswoman Jackie Speier: end credits)
    Linda Boisvert
    • Self - Property Manager, San Diego
    • Directors
      • Barnaby O'Connor
      • Matthew O'Connor
    • Writers
      • Martyn Dunne
      • Lily Levin
      • James Littlewood
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    6.73.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10JaneDoesFilmReviews

    Shocking, disturbing, frightening and utterly compelling

    Caught a preview screening at Hot Docs earlier this year and this was without a doubt the most unsettling theatre experience of the festival.

    I didn't know much about the pick-up world before watching this documentary and all I can say is this film leaves no stone unturned.

    It begins innocently enough, with the origins of the pick up ideology back in the 1980s before moving onto the subculture as it is today. And by all accounts the industry is everywhere. In every major city across the world, it is now a billion dollar business. The film shows the ideology taught by many of these pickup schools as well as the students that sign up to the courses before diving head first into the darker sides of the culture.

    An extremely powerful film. Brilliantly structured, tragic and cinematic. More than worth your time.
    9markmckinnes

    The Pick Up Game is serious business

    This film intrigued me for several reasons: I had read Neil Strauss's book The Game when it was released (probably like everybody else of my generation) and knew a few friends who had dabbled in this scene. So I was curious to check it out.

    Without revealing any spoilers, I will just say that no one could have scripted an investigative film that would have had as much impact as this documentary does. It's intense and very disturbing.

    But for all the darkness in the movie, it actually feels quite balanced and fair. A lot of the material comes across in a unique and un-obvious way. Certainly not how you would expect it to from the title.

    This thing is tight though -- and fascinating, and frightening. One to watch and one I have recommended to everyone I've discussed it with.
    8121mcv

    caveat emptor

    I watched this to see if I could pick up on some tips ... how wrong was I, this documentary that picks up on the dark side of the industry - rinsing insecure men of their money - not teaching them confidence and style but coercion and manipulation.
    rainbowmoviereviewer

    Mansplaining Misses The Mark

    Saw this recently at Hotdocs in Toronto and I have to say I was left sooo frustrated. Why did two middle class straight white male directors decide to be the feminist voice on this problematic issue? Don't get me wrong, I admired the activism attempts in the film to fight misogyny and toxic masculinity but why not give female directors and producers a real voice? There was also no mention of issues surrounding the gay and trans dating scene and the problems within. Sigh.
    8sage4676

    Well documented and the truth hurts!

    I very disturbing, troubling and unfortunately honest 'unveiling' of what happens all day everyday. This should not be surprise to those that have no idea or understanding of what happens in this world today.

    More like this

    Confidential Informant
    3.8
    Confidential Informant
    Tom
    2.7
    Tom
    Sin
    2.6
    Sin
    Captors
    3.7
    Captors
    Baa Baaa Black Sheep
    4.6
    Baa Baaa Black Sheep
    Dungeon
    5.0
    Dungeon
    Cryptid
    4.7
    Cryptid
    Sacrifice
    4.7
    Sacrifice
    Singles
    5.9
    Singles
    I Am Rage
    4.5
    I Am Rage
    Bobcat Moretti
    5.7
    Bobcat Moretti
    Kill Shot
    3.3
    Kill Shot

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Featured in The Marilyn Denis Show: Episode dated 28 May 2019 (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Neverland Blues
      Written and performed by Coral Bells

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ11

    • How long is The Pickup Game?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 2, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La indústria de lligar
    • Filming locations
      • Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, California, USA(archive footage, UCLA - The Mid 1980s)
    • Production companies
      • Ivy Film
      • Two Man Crew
      • Voodoo Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.