Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teens party, swear, bully, kiss in unoriginal romcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
How to Lose a Popularity Contest
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Stellar student and Ivy League-obsessed Ellie Pearse (Sara Waisglass) thinks she always knows best in HOW TO LOSE A POPULARITY CONTEST. When her longtime boyfriend, nice guy Rowan (Graham Verchere), announces he's going to run for student body president, Ellie slams the plan and says the popular kids will always reign supreme—not her, Rowan, or their other friends, D&D-playing lesbian theater couple Aja (Kyra Leroux) and Lauren (Jana Morrison). To prove she's right once again, Ellie decides to sign up handsome and popular bully Nate Reed (Chase Hudson) to run against Rowan, with plans to later sabotage Nate's candidacy too. But nothing goes according to plan when Nate ropes Ellie in to run his campaign, a job that'll look great on her resume, and she discovers she may have misjudged him all along.
Is It Any Good?
TikTok star Hudson is sure to draw viewers to this high school romcom that otherwise has little to set it apart in the crowded field of the genre. Hudson struggles to deliver his lines clearly and with suitable emotions in How to Lose a Popularity Contest. Fortunately, he's matched with a more experienced professional, and Waisglass carries the film through its many awkward moments, which include stilted deliveries from other cast members, clumsy swelling of music in key moments, and typical yet tired high school stereotypes. The film draws parallels to Lady Macbeth but never fully commits to the theme.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what high school stereotypes felt familiar in How to Lose a Popularity Contest. Did any characters remind you of others you've seen in other teen films? Did the portrayals ring true to real life, in your experience?
How does this film compare to other movies you've seen about the high school experience?
Why did the film make so many mentions of Lady Macbeth? Where could you find more information about this famous literary character?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 16, 2026
- Cast : Chase Hudson , Sara Waisglass , Graham Verchere
- Director : Stephen S. Campanelli
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Tubi
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship , School
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : January 28, 2026
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