Look, this is a perfectly safe middle school movie that checks the boxes: smart protagonist, popularity isn't everything message, no inappropriate content. But let's be real—those ratings tell the story. A 5.5 on IMDb and 2.5 out of 5 on Letterboxd means this is aggressively mediocre.
It's the kind of movie that exists on Netflix for when your tween is home sick and has already watched everything else twice. The premise is fine, the message is predictable, and it'll keep them occupied for 90 minutes without causing any problems. But nobody's going to be quoting this at lunch or asking for a rewatch.
If your kid is really into middle school stories and has burned through everything else, sure, throw it on. But there are better options out there for exploring these themes (hello, Eighth Grade for slightly older kids, or even old episodes of Lizzie McGuire for nostalgia). This one's a C+ effort that's fine in a pinch but not worth seeking out.



