Parents' Guide to

The Secret Lives of Dorks

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Tedious teen comedy hits every high-school-clique cliché.

Movie PG-13 2013 92 minutes
The Secret Lives of Dorks Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

swampfoxsouth
swampfoxsouth Parent of 11-year-old
March 22, 2023
age 10+

The Life of a Fifth-Grade Dork review by tucker martin

CSM LANGUAGE GUIDE: Hurtful name-calling like "dork," "jerk," "idiot," "stupid," "shut up." Light swearing said once or twice each: "damn," "ass," "hell," "son of a bitch," "s--t."
swampfoxsouth
swampfoxsouth Parent of 11-year-old
March 22, 2023
age 10+

The Life of a Fifth-Grade Dork review by tucker martin

CSM LANGUAGE GUIDE: Hurtful name-calling like "dork," "jerk," "idiot," "stupid," "shut up." Light swearing said once or twice each: "damn," "ass," "hell," "son of a bitch," "s--t."
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Payton (Gaelan Connell) has lusted after Carrie (Riley Voelkel) for years, but she's way out of his league. She's a cheerleader, and he's a dork, and -- in THE SECRET LIVES OF DORKS -- it's clear that there's little mingling between the high school social classes. Too bad Payton can't see that fellow dork Samantha (Vanessa Marano) is crazy about him. Carrie, who's not nearly as dumb as she acts, realizes that the best way to rid herself of this persistent and unwanted suitor is to teach Payton how to actually interact with girls and get him to ask Samantha on a date.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The Secret Lives of Dorks trades on the same rigid social structure seen in so many other high school comedies -- and all the same tired cliches. Will the socially awkward nerd ever find the courage to ask a girl on a date? Will he learn to be comfortable with who he is, instead of trying to be someone he's not? Of course he will. Does he get teased mercilessly by the football players? Obviously. Is there anything original here? Not really.

The film does introduce a few clever bits, including some fun animated sequences and a recurring joke about former NFL coach Mike Ditka, but that can't make up for a plot that has no surprises.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Secret Lives of Dorks portrays the high school experience. Is it accurate? Believable? Does a high school comedy have to be either to succeed? Why or why not?

  • How does the way the movie depicts the school's various social groups conform to the standard images seen in so many other teen comedies? Do you consider it stereotyping?

  • What role does sex/talking about sex play in the story? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

  • Who's a better match for Payton -- Samantha or Carrie? Who does he prefer, and why?

Movie Details

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