The latest teen film, Moxie!, revolves around wallflower Vivian. Inspired by her mother and a new classmate, she shows her courage (moxie) and stands up against the patriarchy. Anonymously, though. The Netflix Original Moxie! is directed by comedian Amy Poehler and is an enjoyable and entertaining film but doesn’t excel within the genre.
An American high school acting as a society on its own. Teen films have often showcased the success of this concept. Films like Mean Girls (2004), Easy A (2010), Booksmart (2019), and the classic Grease (1978) tell the story of teenagers seeking their own place within the society of their high school. The difference with Moxie!? Protagonist Vivian struggles with sexism in her school rather than her popularity.
Vivian (Hadley Robinson) and best friend Claudia (Lauren Tsai) aim to get through their last years of high school without attracting too much attention. When new classmate Lucy (Alycia Pascual-Pena) speaks up after the captain of the football team (Patrick Schwarzenegger) harasses her, Vivian becomes intrigued. After a conversation with her mother (Amy Poehler), a former outspoken ‘rebel girl,’ and several other sexist incidents at school, she decides to create a zine addressing these issues. Vivian anonymously spreads Moxie (as she named her zine). The zine generates enormous interest, especially among female students, in this rebellion against the patriarchy clearly visible in the school. How does the quiet and insecure Vivian deal with her anonymous success and other teenage problems that also arise?
Good, nice, entertaining but Moxie! doesn’t excel
Poehler has certainly succeeded in creating a good film. With almost 2 hours, various significant and minor teen issues are addressed, which are also prevalent in today’s society. Emerging talents Hadley Robinson and Alycia Pascual-Pena bring the timid Vivian and outspoken Lucy to life in a way that perfectly fits the film. The casting is highly successful. However, Poehler has not managed to stand out within the genre.
The film builds towards a climax. And it certainly doesn’t disappoint! Yet, something is missing when the film ends, and the credits start rolling. Addressing sexism in a high school is a good subject for a teen film, but the scale of the problem and the solution ultimately found are not proportional. This means that Moxie! only emerges as a good, nice, and entertaining film.
Moxie! (2021) – Netflix
Inspired by her mom’s rebellious past and a confident new friend, a shy 16-year-old publishes an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school.
Cast: Hadley Robinson, Lauren Tsai, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nico Hiraga, and others.
Director: Amy Poehler
Studio: Netflix
