Are You Talking About Me?: The Self-Aware Teen Movie

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping some of my favorite self-aware teen movies into the ol’ VCR.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of the teen movie genre. I grew up with all the greats in the early to mid-aughts, so it just comes with the territory. However, one of my favorite subgenres of teen movies is the self-aware teen movie, with the referential subgenre not close behind. The ones where our lead character knows they’re in a teen movie and reference all of the cliches present in teen movies of the past.

There are so many good contenders, but today, I really want to focus on three of my favorites: Easy A, Do Revenge, and Prom Pact.

Easy A

I think Easy A is one of the best examples of the self-aware teen movies out there. Olive knows she’s in a teen movie, and even wants her own musical number for no reason a la Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Olive is the cool one with all the movie references, but still knows at her core that this is also a teen movie. That’s why Easy A works so well; the comedy lands because the movie never takes itself seriously. All of the references work because the characters are aware of their surroundings. Plus, Amanda Bynes’ character reminds me of several people from my hometown, so it humbles me.

Easy A is now streaming on Netflix.

Prom Pact

First and foremost, Prom Pact has no business being as good as it is. Seriously. Don’t let some of the Disney rom coms of the past deter you because this movie rules. Prom Pact is similar to Easy A in that it primarily focuses on 80s tropes, under the guise of prom being 80s-themed. To me, it watches like Pretty In Pink if Duckie didn’t have feelings for Andie; Ben even pulls out a very-Duckie inspired look for prom. Prom Pact is essentially an evolved 80s movie where the “jock” is much more complex and the “geek” isn’t just a bundle of tropes, and I’m here for it.

Prom Pact is now streaming on Disney+.

Do Revenge

I go back and forth on whether Do Revenge belongs in the self-aware teen movie or the referential teen movie. Don’t get me wrong. The references are ABUNDANT and include everything from 10 Things I Hate About You to Scream. It’s become a new favorite, for sure. But, I think for the sake of this piece, we’re going to place it in the self-aware camp. Here’s why: Drea and Eleanor both seem to understand how truly insane their environment is. Additionally, Revenge Mommy Sarah Michelle Gellar also seems to know her place in the teen movie atmosphere, and her ending monologue proves it. Do Revenge has elements you’ve seen before, but it combines everything to make it better.

Do Revenge is now streaming on Netflix.

Honorable Mention

I really struggled on whether or not to devote an entire section to Mean Girls, but I ultimately decided against it. Mean Girls is a brilliant comedy and satire, but I don’t know how I feel about classifying it as a self-aware teen movie. But I do think there are moments of self-awareness, so it deserves an honorable mention. It also gives me an excuse to drop this delightful crossover meme.