Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Explicit sex, language, parties in female-led franchise film
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules
What's the Story?
Four female friends make a pact to fix their romantic and sexual lives before the school's big prom dance in AMERICAN PIE PRESENTS: GIRLS' RULES. The friends include party girl Stephanie Stifler (Lizze Broadway), uber-jealous Kayla (Piper Curda), smart and single Michelle (Natasha Behnam), and innocent Annie (Madison Pettis), who is dedicated to her college freshman boyfriend, Jason (Zayne Emory). Each girl has her own problems, and the friends promise to hold each other accountable and support each other in their efforts. That is, until new kid Grant (Darren Barnet) shows up, becoming an object of attention for all four girls. In their pursuit of Grant, each girl will discover something new about herself.
Is It Any Good?
This movie is what it is, and it's not much more: teenagers partying and talking about, planning, having, or wanting sex. There's also pie and awkward parents, of course. At this point in the franchise, viewers know what to expect with American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules. Here the makers have flipped the narrative to make the girls the protagonists, complete with explicit discussions and depictions of female arousal. There's talk of "female empowerment," though this seems mostly defined by sexual fulfillment and the using or one-upping of male peers. It's the same single-minded bravado, only in female form.
None of the later American Pie Presents films has elicited as much attachment to the characters as the original four American Pie films, and this installment is a good example of why. For the first half of the film, the girls swagger and stumble from scene to scene with no existential concerns beyond having a good time. It's only in the second half that they reveal some humanity, in the form of actual emotional needs. "High school is the worst, and you think it's never going to end," an adult tells a teen. From her lips to the franchise backers' ears.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules portrays teen sexuality and alcohol use. Does it feel true to life? Why or why not?
How does this film compare with others in the franchise?
The film makes use of a split screen at different times. Why use this technique? What does it add to the narrative?
There are some references to '80s films in this movie. Did you catch any?
Does the movie show consequences for teen drinking?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 6, 2020
- Cast : Madison Pettis , Lizze Broadway , Piper Curda
- Director : Mike Elliott
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : pervasive strong/crude sexual content, language throughout, alcohol and some drug use - all involving teens
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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