Parents' Guide to

Girl Fight

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Dramatic anti-bullying movie raises social media issues.

Movie NR 2012 88 minutes
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What's the Story?

GIRL FIGHT, a movie inspired by actual events, stars Jodelle Ferland as Haley, a 16-year-old high schooler who wants to be socially accepted. When she begins hanging out with some popular kids at school, like Alexa (Tess Atkins), Kristin (Keely Purvis), Becca (Caley Dimmock), and Lauren (Genevieve Buechener), she thinks she's finally climbed to the top of the social ladder. But when her new friends learn about some negative comments she posted about them on a social networking site, the young women decide to teach her a lesson by viciously beating her up with the intention of posting a video of the attack online. Seriously injured, Haley and her parents (played by Anne Heche and James Tupper) find themselves trying to make sense of the social norms and laws that govern the modern world of online information and social media while seeking justice.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like most Lifetime movies, it's pretty dramatic, and it relies a bit too heavily on the continual replay of the vicious attack to make its point. But the overall film is successful in sending some very strong and clear anti-bullying messages. It also identifies some of the real emotional and legal consequences that results from posting acts of bullying, and other inappropriate behavior, on the Internet.

The movie highlights some of the disturbing trends that are appearing on the Internet thanks to the widespread use of computers, smartphones, and social networking sites. It also notes how the easy access to digital media outlets is motivating people looking for fame or notoriety to post inappropriate material online. Throughout it all, it underscores the need for responsibility, regulation, and parental guidance when it comes to communicating online.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about responsibly using the Internet and online social networking sites. What is okay and not okay to post online? What are some of the emotional consequences of posting inappropriate information, pictures, and/or videos online?

  • What exactly is cyberbullying? Why is being bullied online as bad as being physically bullied in school or around your neighborhood? Whose at risk of being bullied online? Why is it important to speak up if you know or see that someone is being bullied online?

Movie Details

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