Moxie is the latest feel-good teen comedy to hit Netflix – although, the fact that it’s set in a school hasn’t stopped adults from streaming the film.
The reaction has been mixed, with some praising it for the way it tackles issues of sexism (it’s ranking pretty highly on Netflix), while others take issue over the fact that it’s yet another film with a white teen at the centre who’s ethnically different friends sit on the periphery.
If you’re keen to check it out to be a part of the conversation, here’s what you need to know about the film.
What’s it about?
Moxie looks at that sexism that’s part and parcel of school culture as one student tries to change it.
Vivian is from a small town is inspired by her mother’s Riot Girl past, so decides to carry on that legacy by bringing feminism to her fellow students.
She sets up a feminist zine that circulates and gains popularity – which, given how shy Vivian is, takes her a moment to absorb.
What happens next is a ‘feminist revolution’ at their school which has a history of turning a blind eye to sexist behaviour among its staff and students.
Of course, underpinning all of this is your classic coming-of-age tale. We see Vivian grow, make new friends, and embark on a romance.
It’s also got a strong punky soundtrack, adding to that Riot Girl feeling.
Who directed it?
Amy Poehler is behind the film, which is probably in part why it’s received so much attention. It’s her second feature with Netflix.
Amy is best known for being an actress – having starred in Parks and Recreation and arguably one of the most major teen movie successes, Mean Girls – but she’s also a producer and director, which are the roles she takes on here.
Already the film has held the number 1 spot in the Top 10 chart on Netflix since its release, so it’s been popular with viewers to say the least.
Who stars in it?
Hadley Robinson leads the cast as Vivian, the character behind the feminist zine.
She’s starred in some other huge films before her role here, having been in Little Women (alongside Emma Watson!), I’m Thinking of Ending Things and Utopia.
Here’s the full cast:
– Hadley Robinson as Vivian
– Lauren Tsai as Claudia
– Alycia Pascual-Pena as Lucy
– Nico Hiraga as Seth
– Sabrina Haskett as Kaitlynn
– Patrick Schwarzenegger as Mitchell
– Sydney Park as Kiera
– Anjelika Washington as Amaya
– Emily Hopper as Meg
– Josie Totah as CJ
– Amy Poehler as Lisa
– Ike Barinholtz as Mr. Davies
– Marcia Gay Harden as Principal Shelly
– Josephine Langford as Emma
– Joshua Walker as Jason
What’s the controversy?
For all its feminist merit, critics have said the film falls short of being as intersectional as it wants to be.
For a start, the protagonist is a white woman while her friends and romantic interest are ethnic minorities – again the character seen at the height of the feminist action is a white person, propelled on by non-white peers.
There are also moments when non-white characters aren’t stood up for, such as Lucy. Vivian looks down when her friend is the subject of sexism.
However, others have said if the film makes young people more aware of sexual politics, more questioning and more prone to take action, then it hasn’t completely failed on its agenda.
Someone Tweeted: “Moxie is not the intersectional film we need. Western feminism wrapped into a white saviour complex with representation as a bare minimum.”
But clearly the film has struck a chord with enough people for it to rank so highly, with one person Tweeting: “Just watched #Moxie with my 15 year old daughter. She is now “pumped”! (Challenge the patriarchy: check).”
For all it’s worth, clearly the movie industry needs to keep upping its game when it comes to inclusivity.