The Cruel Meanies!
December 14, 2010 3:05 PM Subscribe
Dark Teen Movie?
The ones I LOVE so far,
- Heathers
- Cruel Intentions
- Mean Girls
- Pretty Persuasion
Could you suggest similar themed movies?
Must have
- One great performance at least (more likely to be a great female lead)
- Cruelty and Calculation
- Twisted plot and/or smart dialogue
- IMDb rating no lower than 6.5
Please don't recommend Election, Thirteen, Dangerous Liaisons or Lolita, I watched them already.
Thank you.
The ones I LOVE so far,
- Heathers
- Cruel Intentions
- Mean Girls
- Pretty Persuasion
Could you suggest similar themed movies?
Must have
- One great performance at least (more likely to be a great female lead)
- Cruelty and Calculation
- Twisted plot and/or smart dialogue
- IMDb rating no lower than 6.5
Please don't recommend Election, Thirteen, Dangerous Liaisons or Lolita, I watched them already.
Thank you.
Best answer: Oh, and:
Welcome to the Dollhouse.
posted by hermitosis at 3:12 PM on December 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
Welcome to the Dollhouse.
posted by hermitosis at 3:12 PM on December 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
Ginger Snaps. Beware: naked werewolf scenes.
posted by fight or flight at 3:22 PM on December 14, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by fight or flight at 3:22 PM on December 14, 2010 [5 favorites]
Brick. There was not a moment from start to end that I was not thoroughly engaged.
posted by dougrayrankin at 3:29 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by dougrayrankin at 3:29 PM on December 14, 2010
i guess my tastes run a little campy, as they don't meet your rating requirement -
but i can't suggest "drop dead gorgeous" or "jawbreaker" hard enough.
they're probably better enjoyed with a glass (bottle) of wine.
posted by nadawi at 3:34 PM on December 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
but i can't suggest "drop dead gorgeous" or "jawbreaker" hard enough.
they're probably better enjoyed with a glass (bottle) of wine.
posted by nadawi at 3:34 PM on December 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
Saved!
posted by piedmont at 3:41 PM on December 14, 2010 [8 favorites]
posted by piedmont at 3:41 PM on December 14, 2010 [8 favorites]
Response by poster: nadawi, thanks for mentioning them anyway. I've had people recommending Jawbreaker before. I wonder if it is just because of its similar genre or it's really entertaining. I mean, its rating is so painfully low. But I will check them out.
The reason why I put a preferred rating limit is to avoid plain unwatchable movies. Some can be overrated, some underrated. It all depends on who's watching it.
posted by easilyconfused at 3:45 PM on December 14, 2010
The reason why I put a preferred rating limit is to avoid plain unwatchable movies. Some can be overrated, some underrated. It all depends on who's watching it.
posted by easilyconfused at 3:45 PM on December 14, 2010
Donnie Darko
posted by bitterkitten at 3:47 PM on December 14, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by bitterkitten at 3:47 PM on December 14, 2010 [7 favorites]
Oh, wow! I somehow read that you wanted lower than 6.5. Which might make sense in some circumstances. Well, I still recommend that movie, it was surprisingly way better than I expected.
posted by waitangi at 3:48 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by waitangi at 3:48 PM on December 14, 2010
If you're willing to check out lighter fare, Bring It On is a favorite of mine, and very much in the same spirit. Campy, funny, but definitely about how teen girls interact in occasionally vicious ways.
posted by restless_nomad at 3:49 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by restless_nomad at 3:49 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nthing Brick. It's really quite a tour de force.
And I'll suggest that after you watch your "teen" films, you try Grosse Pointe Blank which is essentially a teen movie moved ahead a few years by the eternally angst-ridden John Cusack. Satisfies all your criteria.
posted by elendil71 at 3:52 PM on December 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
And I'll suggest that after you watch your "teen" films, you try Grosse Pointe Blank which is essentially a teen movie moved ahead a few years by the eternally angst-ridden John Cusack. Satisfies all your criteria.
posted by elendil71 at 3:52 PM on December 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
Muriel's Wedding and Heavenly Creatures comes to mind for strong females leads and somewhat twisted plots. Twisted in totally different ways of course.
posted by victoriab at 4:01 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by victoriab at 4:01 PM on December 14, 2010
Oh yes, Ghost World! And I loved "Bring it on" too restless nomad
posted by victoriab at 4:04 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by victoriab at 4:04 PM on December 14, 2010
Easy A (Bonus, Emma Stone was just nominated for Best Female Lead Golden Globe)
posted by CharlieSue at 4:10 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by CharlieSue at 4:10 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
It doesn't quite meet your imdb rating criteria, but I love this type of movies and caught New Best Friend late one night on HBO and was entertained.
posted by wuzandfuzz at 4:11 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by wuzandfuzz at 4:11 PM on December 14, 2010
Seconding Ginger Snaps. Yes, it's technically horror (with werewolf transformation a metaphor for female puberty) but it has bitchy comebacks and wry teen angst galore.
Also: has no one yet mentioned Clueless? If you've not seen it, you must. It's the epitome of the genre.
posted by hot soup girl at 4:12 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also: has no one yet mentioned Clueless? If you've not seen it, you must. It's the epitome of the genre.
posted by hot soup girl at 4:12 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Carrie? Rushmore?
And yeah...Brick for sure.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:24 PM on December 14, 2010
And yeah...Brick for sure.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:24 PM on December 14, 2010
John Cusack's other definite teen movie, Better Off Dead, has a similar offbeat, satiric darkness to it as Heathers.
posted by Kattullus at 4:29 PM on December 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by Kattullus at 4:29 PM on December 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
Not, a movie but the television show Popular is outstanding. And mean.
posted by Duffington at 4:29 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by Duffington at 4:29 PM on December 14, 2010
The Craft is a fairly terrible, often stupid movie but I loved Fairuza Balk's meanie.
posted by gingerest at 4:46 PM on December 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by gingerest at 4:46 PM on December 14, 2010 [4 favorites]
Spanking the Monkey does not fit the mold exactly, but is definitely a twisted-teenager film.
posted by K.P. at 5:34 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by K.P. at 5:34 PM on December 14, 2010
Best answer: Hard Candy isn't exactly a teen movie, but it's certainly got a great, twisted performance by Ellen Page.
My First Mister might also be worth checking out.
posted by Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld at 5:34 PM on December 14, 2010
My First Mister might also be worth checking out.
posted by Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld at 5:34 PM on December 14, 2010
Beetlejuice
posted by princelyfox at 5:34 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by princelyfox at 5:34 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
Scouting Book for Boys. I saw it on an airplane. It has a sudden, whiplash inducing change-of-tone about 90% of the way through.
posted by GilloD at 5:39 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by GilloD at 5:39 PM on December 14, 2010
The Opposite of Sex.
Just skimming in over the line with an IMDB rating of exactly 6.5.
posted by 8dot3 at 5:48 PM on December 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
Just skimming in over the line with an IMDB rating of exactly 6.5.
posted by 8dot3 at 5:48 PM on December 14, 2010 [2 favorites]
The Runaways:
- One great performance at least (more likely to be a great female lead)?
Check. Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are both pretty good.
- Cruelty and Calculation?
Check. Kim Fowley is a world class manipulator.
- Twisted plot and/or smart dialogue?
Check... rock bands in the '70's were pretty gnarly, but the plot isn't as twisted as it could have been.
- IMDb rating no lower than 6.5?
Check... 6.7
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:07 PM on December 14, 2010
- One great performance at least (more likely to be a great female lead)?
Check. Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are both pretty good.
- Cruelty and Calculation?
Check. Kim Fowley is a world class manipulator.
- Twisted plot and/or smart dialogue?
Check... rock bands in the '70's were pretty gnarly, but the plot isn't as twisted as it could have been.
- IMDb rating no lower than 6.5?
Check... 6.7
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:07 PM on December 14, 2010
Not strictly a teen movie, but Waterland is pretty dark. Jeremy Irons is a high school history teacher who tries to connect with his students while living with the consequences of his own teenage mistakes.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:33 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:33 PM on December 14, 2010
Three O-clock High: Upstanding high school kid (who unfortunately looks a little old for the part) accidentally pisses off the new super scary bully and spends the rest of the day fearing for his life and doing anything to avoid the confrontation scheduled for after school. Haven't seen it for a few years but I remember liking it a lot. Definitely both dark and funny, and fits all criteria except strong female lead.
posted by DanielDManiel at 7:23 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by DanielDManiel at 7:23 PM on December 14, 2010
Daydream Nation.
It's got everything you're looking for.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:33 PM on December 14, 2010
It's got everything you're looking for.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 7:33 PM on December 14, 2010
Saved!
Camp
and as dessert, Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion is awesome (under your star limit, but they are wrong wrong wrong)
And while it's on the way young end of "teen," I think the original Parent Trap also qualifies
posted by Mchelly at 7:35 PM on December 14, 2010
Camp
and as dessert, Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion is awesome (under your star limit, but they are wrong wrong wrong)
And while it's on the way young end of "teen," I think the original Parent Trap also qualifies
posted by Mchelly at 7:35 PM on December 14, 2010
Foxfire doesn't quite make the 6.5 cut-off and maybe it shouldn't, as it has a sort of after-school-special feel to it, but it does contain the legendary tattoo scene.
posted by Clay201 at 8:58 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by Clay201 at 8:58 PM on December 14, 2010
Oh, you know, I screwed up the IMDB rating part. Well, look, I said it was a terrible and stupid movie, and actually 5.9 is maybe a little generous for the film. But. Fairuza Balk's twitchy-mean-girlness is a solid 7.4 on a scale where Snow White singing with the birds is a 0 and Black Willow from Buffy is a 10.0.
posted by gingerest at 9:33 PM on December 14, 2010
posted by gingerest at 9:33 PM on December 14, 2010
Pump Up the Volume
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:00 PM on December 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 11:00 PM on December 14, 2010 [3 favorites]
Note: these films are all dark and all feature phenomenal (I believe) teen leads, but aren't necessarily what one would think of when the phrase teen movie is heard. I think that a number of them are among the greatest films ever made, regardless of genre.
Fish Tank
Winter's Bone (best female performance of 2010)
Suburbia
This is England (the lead is 12 and many others are late teens or twenties)
The Wanderers
Rosetta
The Dreamlife of Angels (can't remember if they're teens or early 20s)
L'Enfant
Show Me Love
The White Ribbon
Benny's Video
I'll second Brick and Welcome to the Dollhouse.
And perhaps the greatest film of all time with a teen lead: The 400 Blows.
posted by dobbs at 12:20 AM on December 15, 2010 [5 favorites]
Fish Tank
Winter's Bone (best female performance of 2010)
Suburbia
This is England (the lead is 12 and many others are late teens or twenties)
The Wanderers
Rosetta
The Dreamlife of Angels (can't remember if they're teens or early 20s)
L'Enfant
Show Me Love
The White Ribbon
Benny's Video
I'll second Brick and Welcome to the Dollhouse.
And perhaps the greatest film of all time with a teen lead: The 400 Blows.
posted by dobbs at 12:20 AM on December 15, 2010 [5 favorites]
How could I forget Fat Girl?
And my L'Enfant link should have been here.
posted by dobbs at 2:15 AM on December 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
And my L'Enfant link should have been here.
posted by dobbs at 2:15 AM on December 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
I've just begun watching AfterSchool (streaming on Netflix) and it seems to meet your criteria minus the female lead.
posted by doorsfan at 8:40 AM on December 15, 2010
posted by doorsfan at 8:40 AM on December 15, 2010
Not quite as "fun" but Picnic At Hanging Rock comes to mind. And I could be remembering wrong but maybe Slums of Beverly Hills and But I'm a Cheerleader.
posted by ifjuly at 8:43 AM on December 15, 2010
posted by ifjuly at 8:43 AM on December 15, 2010
Let the right one in
Wassup Rockers?
Rosetta
City of God
posted by zerobyproxy at 9:59 AM on December 15, 2010
Wassup Rockers?
Rosetta
City of God
posted by zerobyproxy at 9:59 AM on December 15, 2010
On review, dobbs has Rosetta.
posted by zerobyproxy at 10:03 AM on December 15, 2010
posted by zerobyproxy at 10:03 AM on December 15, 2010
Response by poster: Wonderful variety, everyone, thanks! Let's hear more!
Three O-clock High and doorsfan, they don't have to have a female lead. I put it in the brackets because it's more likely to be a female meanie for this genre so to speak.
posted by easilyconfused at 10:24 AM on December 15, 2010
Three O-clock High and doorsfan, they don't have to have a female lead. I put it in the brackets because it's more likely to be a female meanie for this genre so to speak.
posted by easilyconfused at 10:24 AM on December 15, 2010
The Rules of Attraction.
posted by shponglespore at 3:57 PM on December 15, 2010
posted by shponglespore at 3:57 PM on December 15, 2010
Slums of Beverly Hills is great! And I was surprised how much I liked Jennifer's Body - if you like Heathers, you'll like that a lot.
Oh, a period piece, but with a teen lead: Wish You Were Here. Lynda isn't mean, exactly, but definitely doesn't give a shit about what anyone thinks of her.
posted by mippy at 8:38 AM on December 16, 2010
Oh, a period piece, but with a teen lead: Wish You Were Here. Lynda isn't mean, exactly, but definitely doesn't give a shit about what anyone thinks of her.
posted by mippy at 8:38 AM on December 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by hermitosis at 3:11 PM on December 14, 2010 [20 favorites]