Movie Profile: MOXIE (2021)
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Moxie |
| Release Date | March 3, 2021 (Netflix) |
| Director | Amy Poehler |
| Writers | Tamara Chestna, Dylan Meyer (Based on the 2015 novel Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu) |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama, Music, Rebellion, Coming-of-Age |
| Runtime | 111 minutes |
| Distributor | Netflix |
| Lead Cast |
• Hadley Robinson (Vivian Carter) • Lauren Tsai (Claudia) • Patrick Schwarzenegger (Mitchell Wilson) • Nico Hiraga (Seth Acosta) • Amy Poehler (Lisa Carter) |
Trailer
Plot Overview
Vivian Carter (Hadley Robinson) is a shy, introverted 16-year-old high school student who prefers to keep her head down and fly under the radar. However, she grows increasingly frustrated by the toxic, sexist atmosphere at her high school, where the popular football captain Mitchell Wilson (Patrick Schwarzenegger) openly harasses female students while the school principal completely ignores the behavior.
After discovering a box of old memorabilia belonging to her mother, Lisa (Amy Poehler)—who was a rebellious, anti-establishment “Riot Grrrl” punk in the 1990s—Vivian finds her spark. Inspired by her mom’s past, she secretly creates an anonymous, underground feminist zine titled Moxie, which she distributes in the girls’ bathrooms.
The zine serves as a loud wake-up call, quickly igniting a school-wide revolution. Girls from different backgrounds, sports teams, and social cliques unite to fight back against unfair dress codes, biased ranking lists, and systemic harassment. As the movement grows, Vivian must learn to step out of the shadows, balance her friendship with her conservative best friend Claudia (Lauren Tsai), and find the courage to lead the rebellion openly.
Themes & Cultural Impact
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The Generation Z “Riot Grrrl” Revival: The film serves as a bridge between 90s third-wave feminism and Gen Z activism. It prominently features iconic feminist punk anthems, most notably “Rebel Girl” by the legendary underground band Bikini Kill, which acts as the musical heartbeat of the film’s rebellion.
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Intersectional Female Solidarity: Unlike older teen movies that pit girls against each other, Moxie focuses heavily on female friendship, inclusivity, and diverse groups of young women standing up to protect one another.
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Amy Poehler’s Directorial Vision: Following Wine Country (2019), this marked Amy Poehler’s second feature film directorial effort, delivering a vibrant, energetic, and highly accessible introduction to social activism for a younger generation.