Parents' Guide to Prom Pact

Movie NR 2023 99 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Polly Conway By Polly Conway , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

Edgier-than-usual Disney romcom is charming, has language.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 14+

Based on 18 parent reviews

Parents say the film has generated mixed reactions, with some praising it as a fun, modern take on classic 80s movies suitable for teenagers, while others find it inappropriate due to its themes involving sexual references, swearing, and political views. It's important to note that the movie is rated TV-14, and some parents recommend watching the edited version on Disney Channel for a more family-friendly experience.

  • mixed reviews
  • mature themes
  • age-appropriate
  • edited version
  • modern take
Summarized with AI

age 13+

Based on 33 kid reviews

What's the Story?

High school senior Mandy Yang (Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Andi Mack) has one goal: to get into Harvard. When's she's waitlisted, she and her best friend Ben (Milo Manheim, Zombies) concoct a plan: get cozy with basketball star Graham Lansing, whose Harvard-alum senator dad could write the perfect letter of recommendation. Will it work? Will Mandy and Ben's friendship stay intact in the face of big changes? And lastly, will their pact to go to prom together hold strong?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 18 ):
Kids say ( 33 ):

Heightened by the winning charms of its stars, this fun rom-com (prom-com?) blends 1980s nostalgia with a modern, if not totally fresh, take on high school dreams. Prom Pact pays homage while simultaneously deconstructing '80s teen classics. Mandy borders on a snarky "not like other girls" teen, but her warmth and willingness to compromise and change make her totally relatable. It's refreshing to see a mixed-gender friendship with no hint of romance; Mandy and Ben are just long-time BFFs who always look out for each other. Teens will love the romantic moments, and while the plot hits the usual highs and lows, it does so in such a charming way that any cliches are forgiven.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about promposals. Why do you think they became popular? Do you think they're fun or over-the-top?

  • What's special about Mandy and Ben's friendship? How do they deal with the challenges that threaten it?

Movie Details

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