Initially, the 2024 remake of Mean Girls wasn’t high on my watchlist. Knowing it stemmed from the Broadway musical adaptation, which I found somewhat unengaging, and hearing whispers about Angourie Rice’s vocal performance and awkward cinematography, my expectations were low. Plus, going to the movie theater isn’t my default entertainment choice these days. However, a TikTok by Glenn DeVar piqued my interest and convinced me to see what this new Mean Girls was all about.
DeVar’s TikTok argues that cultural evolution has slowed in the past two decades compared to the twenty years prior. He posits that the original 2004 Mean Girls presented a vastly different high school dynamic than Sixteen Candles from 1984, yet the 2024 Mean Girls portrays a high school environment remarkably similar to the 2004 version. He interprets this as evidence that “20 years today does not mean the same thing that 20 years meant” in his youth.
While DeVar’s argument has some flaws – comparing a remake to an original and contrasting them with unrelated films, the subjective nature of time perception as one ages, and his removed perspective from current high school experiences – it did make me consider the actual differences, or lack thereof, in the new Mean Girls. Contrary to DeVar’s assertion that the “difference in quality and style is pretty minimal,” I found notable distinctions between the 2004 and 2024 films.
One striking difference lies in the wardrobe. The original Plastics embodied a classic rich-girl aesthetic, sporting high-end designer fashion. In contrast, the new Plastics seem to be dressed in… Shein? Many viewers have noticed the noticeably cheaper and less trend-relevant clothing in the remake. The costuming often feels more like a TikTok advertisement than authentic high school attire, especially for a clique known for their love of designer labels. This shift reflects a broader trend towards fast fashion, disposable clothing, and prioritizing profit over sustainability, which is unfortunately evident in the remake’s styling.
Speaking of advertisements, the product placement in Mean Girls (2024) was jarringly overt. The producers must have secured a lucrative deal with e.l.f. Cosmetics, given the blatant mentions of product names and prominent label displays. Even the Mathletes competition is “presented by SeatGeek,” an announcement that feels excessively on-the-nose. There’s a significant gap between satirizing the pervasiveness of corporate sponsorship and directly embodying it without critical distance.
This performative aspect extends to the movie’s thematic message about authenticity. The narrative ostensibly critiques performativity – Cady’s shift away from her genuine self to gain popularity, Regina’s song “Someone Gets Hurt” emphasizing “This is a performance / this is all self-defense.” However, the film often sacrifices character depth, notably Cady’s connection to her African upbringing, in favor of flashy musical numbers that contribute little to the plot’s progression. This raises the question: is Mean Girls (2024) critiquing the performativity of the TikTok era, or simply participating in it?
Despite my overall lukewarm reception to Mean Girls (2024), a definite highlight was Janis (‘Imi’ike), formerly Janis Ian, being explicitly portrayed as a lesbian. Not all changes in the last two decades have been negative. While the original movie hinted at Janis’s sexuality through her alternative style, the remake presents an openly lesbian Janis. This aligns with the casting of bisexual actress Auli’i Cravalho and acknowledges the long-held queer interpretations of the original Janis. Now, Janis’s queer identity isn’t the defining conflict between her and Regina, allowing her to simply be queer, which is undoubtedly progress.
However, queer representation isn’t without its issues. The “too gay to function” trope is still used against Damien in the Burn Book. Furthermore, Regina’s character could have easily been explicitly queer. Even in the 2004 film, her homophobia seemed rooted in self-repression. Renee Rapp’s Regina further emphasizes the performative nature of her relationship with Aaron for social gain, and Rapp’s end-credit song directly questions, “Can a gay girl get an amen?”
It seems a missed opportunity to not more explicitly explore Regina’s queerness, especially given the positive step with Janis. The resistance to having two queer female characters – fearing it would make it “too queer” or less relatable – feels outdated and limiting in a major remake aiming for contemporary relevance.
Other aspects of the new movie are a mixed bag. The cameos from Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, and Tim Meadows were enjoyable. Renee Rapp delivers a standout performance as Regina, while Auli’i Cravalho’s portrayal of Janis, and Angourie Rice’s Cady, were less impactful.
Ultimately, this isn’t intended as a comprehensive movie review but rather a reflection on cultural shifts. My key takeaway is that the contrasts between the 2004 and 2024 Mean Girls adaptations illustrate a slight advancement in social equality but a decline in the face of pervasive consumerism. While Mean Girls (2024) wasn’t personally appealing, analyzing it was insightful. However, unless you’re eager to debate its themes or observe these cultural trends firsthand, it might not be worth the money.
Where to Watch Mean Girls 2024:
For those interested in watching Mean Girls (2024) to form their own opinions, here’s where you can find it:
- In Theaters: Mean Girls (2024) is currently playing in theaters nationwide. Check your local listings for showtimes.
- Streaming: As of now, Mean Girls (2024) is not yet available on streaming services. However, it is expected to become available for streaming on Paramount+ in the coming months, following the typical theatrical release window. Keep an eye on Paramount+ and other digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies & TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Apple TV for rental or purchase options as they become available.
Stay tuned to savewhere.net for updates on when and where to stream Mean Girls (2024) online. We’ll keep you informed on all the latest streaming releases and options.
