Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable teen comedy has cursing, underage drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
#RealityHigh
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie offers a mix of opinions, with some praising its relatable high school themes and positive messages about popularity and self-worth, while others criticize it for inappropriate content and perceived misogyny. Despite its flaws, many viewers agree it appeals to teens, providing insights into the social dynamics of high school life.
- relatable themes
- positive messages
- inappropriate content
- social dynamics
- teen appeal
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Dani Barnes (Nesta Cooper) is passionate about animals and besotted with Cameron Drake (Keith Powers) in #REALITYHIGH. A high school senior, she's a terrific student from a warm, loving family, hoping for a scholarship to UC Davis with its stellar veterinary school. Her BFF is Freddie (Jake Borelli), who carefully hides his more-than-just-friends feelings. Still, Dani knows she's a bit of an outlier -- she's not one of the "hot" girls, and her decades-old crush on Cameron is going nowhere. The real trendsetter at school is a social media star, Alexa Medina (Alicia Sanz), who's jealous of Dani even though Alexa's got Cameron and an ever-attentive tribe of kids who follow her everywhere. Change is coming, however. After Dani and Cameron bond over a dog at the vet clinic where Dani works, the young man finally notices this girl he's known all his life. Swept up by her dream-come-true's attention, Dani quickly moves into the school's inner circle. Popular, now shedding her girl-next-door image for glamour, the teen makes some really bad choices. As a matter of fact, Dani's on the verge of losing her moral compass as she immerses herself in her newfound popularity. Lucky for the smart, likable teen, Alexa's jealous maliciousness helps bring Dani to her senses and learn some valuable lessons about what's important.
Is It Any Good?
Nesta Cooper shines as Dani, but her charismatic performance can't save this predictable, trite story and an amateurish production that falls short on all counts. Messages are valuable, but they've been delivered before, many times, in a much more compelling fashion. The film lacks pace, energy, cohesiveness, and artistry. One-dimensional characters are the rule. And Dani's downward ethical spiral is ludicrous given the character as she was introduced. Other than Cooper's performance and adorably precocious work from Leah Rose Randall as Dani's little sister (but even that is a worn-out convention), #RealityHigh has little to recommend it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the drinking and marijuana use in #RealityHigh. Was it shown simply as fun and carefree? What consequences, if any, did Dani have for her behavior?
Which story elements are the most predictable in the film? Does predictability bother you in a film, or do you still enjoy the "journeys" that lead to the expected conclusions?
Is this movie generally an accurate portrayal of teen life? Why or why not? What emotions seemed relevant to you? Have you had challenges that were as easily solved as Dani's and Cameron's?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 8, 2017
- Cast : Nesta Cooper , Keith Powers , Jake Borelli
- Director : Fernando Lebrija
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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