Moxie [2021]

There’s not much to say about Moxie. Haven’t we seen enough movies about a problematic white teen?

While watching the movie, you’ll clearly notice that it is shot in Los Angeles county. This sweet coming-of-age story is easy to like. Yet, it comes up a little too short when it comes to fully addressing its story’s timely themes. Even though it’s a light fun movie, it’s hard not to feel like the people of color are there to serve as springboards for the betterment of white characters like so many other movies.

However, it doesn’t shock me that it is in Netflix’s top ten list in North America.

So, what exactly is this movie about?

Vivian (Hadley Robinson) is a shy 16-year-old, who always preferred to keep her head down and fly under the radar. But the arrival of a new Afro-Latina student Lucy (Alycia Pascual-Peña) forces her to examine the unchecked behavior of her fellow (male) students running rampant at her high school. Inspired by her mother’s (Amy Poehler) past, she anonymously publishes an underground zine called to expose bias and wrongdoing in her high school, and unexpectedly sparks a movement.

After thinking what to write about Moxie for over 2 days, I have some serious issues with Moxie. Vivian is portrayed as the “revolutionary” while Lucy lays the groundwork for it with no support or credit. It was weird to watch Vivian stay quiet while classmates and teachers who looked like her attacked and dismissed Lucy.

To me, Lucy was the real star of this story. Not Vivian. But that’s a bigger discussion.

Should you watch it?

Moxie is a fun little coming-of-age story that plays on contemporary social subjects without really moving the needle and sometimes missing the point of representation. Directed by Amy Poehler, she takes the role of the supporting mother instead of being the center of the movie.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream Moxie exclusively on Netflix worldwide.