Netflix’s newest original film, coming out just weeks after To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Sierra Burgess is a Loser. This film seemed to be following in big footsteps, and with a cast from both TATBILB and Stranger Things, I had high hopes. I was disappointed with where this story went, it’s a teen-flick about a teen girl who feels like she doesn’t fit in with what is expected of people her age. She doesn’t feel the need to conform, she likes who she is, she is empowered. And yet we still see her feel the need to change herself for a boy.
Sierra is put in an awkward situation by a bully; a boy is given her number thinking she is someone else, and she doesn’t set him straight. She’s essentially catfishing someone (luring someone into a relationship by adopting a fictional online persona), by not telling them they aren’t texting the popular girl at school. For a character who seemed very self-confident and who knew where she was going, she now feels the need to hide behind someone else. I don’t like the message this is sending out; initially she was strong and smart and stood up to the bullies, now she seems to be ashamed of herself.
The next plot flaw is common in films like these, why do we see the ‘nerdy’ main characters somehow befriending the bully? We get it, the popular mean kids have issues too, but I was bullied at school and I certainly would have never wanted to be friends with those people. Maybe I’m just not as nice as Sierra Burgess? But I think if someone goes out of their way to make you miserable, they aren’t worth being around.
That’s not the only changes we see in her character, she starts to loose her concentration at school too. All because of some boy who she hasn’t yet met. She forgets about homework and doesn’t pay attention in classes. This really annoys me to see this happening so close to a time where she is applying to colleges. It’s accurate sure, relationships are distracting, but she doesn’t even seem to care, or really notice. I think it needs to be made more normal to actually choose school above a boy, I didn’t and I really messed up my A-Levels. We need less teen films focusing on boys and trying to find a relationship and more plots about teen’s becoming themselves and the friendships they form.
Peer pressure is completely ignored in this film too, we see it all through the plot. The main examples that come to mind are the way everyone follows the popular people like sheep. And at a party Sierra is taken to a keg and talked into drinking; she doesn’t seem to take much convincing as she’s introduced to the idea by a group of boys. Again, she’s so easily swayed from what her morals seem to be. She is presented as strong and independent, but she wavers easily from her persona.
My last moan is a big one. There is a scene where Sierra makes Jamie, the boy she is catfishing, close his eyes as she kisses him. He however, thinks he is kissing Veronica, the popular girl he believes he’s been talking to this whole time. So he kisses Sierra and he has no idea it’s her. I can’t explain how wrong I think that is and it’s never raises as an issue, not once! He is not consenting to kissing someone else. If this was reversed and the woman had her eyes closed instead, there would be outrage. Why is this okay?
I understand what Netflix were trying to do here, create a film with a leading lady who wasn’t what society wanted her to be. Sierra is relatable, she’s different and she’s a good character. But Netflix still felt the need to pander to popular expectations and conform to the usual stereotypes of this genre. I’d have liked to see a more original plot; I felt like this had potential, but I don’t think it was really any different from other films like it.
I can completely see the issues that people could have with this post, but I don’t know if maybe this wansnt a film to look too deep into, it’s almost a throwback to chick flicks from like 10 years ago, I get that times have changed and certain things are unacceptable now that maybe weren’t as much before but idk, I’ve never been one to look too deep into things like movies and stuff. Nonetheless I see where your coming from and I still really enjoyed reading this! Xx
I can’t help but look too deeply into films, I did my degree in film so I’m always looking for me. I felt like I could have enjoyed this one, it was cute, but it just had too many flaws for me.
I completely agree with you on many of these points. For sure my biggest issue was how she was really a terrible person! That first kiss scene made me so uncomfortable, and she never faces an consequences even though what she does is absolutely horrible. And I cannot believe Jamie actually ends up dating her. Like, I don’t know if I could forgive someone for being so creepy and conniving. I don’t know. They should have addressed how wrong the things she did were.
I agree, it was so odd and just no! I felt really uncomfortable with it and with the fact it was basically normalised!
Thank you for explaining the thoughts I couldn’t explain about this movie. I watched it this weekend and wanted to like it but I kept feeling kind of weird. And this is why!! It wasn’t a good message. In so many ways. In the ways you explained. Thank you!
Thanks for your comment Abby, I felt there were some huge issues with this film for sure. A lot of it made me feel uncomfortable for the message it was sending.
Really interesting to read, I agree in that the film had a good idea but not necessarily executed in the best way. It was a weird watch for me, it seemed very hypocritical how she was so set against conforming and yet changed herself so much for one guy
Emily x | emilyclairewrites.com
Glad you enjoyed my post Emily. I agree, she really did change herself a lot after showing how much she liked herself already as she was!
omg yes i agree with your review so much. it left me feeling very *grimacing face, w teeth gritted* not to mention all the trans “””jokes””” ugh
Generally it had so many flaws that I’m really surprised they didn’t spot sooner!
Yes to everything you said. Another thing I hated was how self-righteous Sierra was. As you said, she’s all “I’m great in my opinion” but gets swayed EASILY when she finds out that she’s supposed to be Veronica.
Definitely also hated the trope of her choosing the guy over her best friend and later forgets him for Veronica.
The last scene where Jamey says that he wouldn’t have noticed her was also not good. I would have been deeply insulted if I was Sierra, who apparently thinks she’s awesome.
Also, Jamey didn’t look like a person who wouldn’t notice a girl with great personality, if he met her, just because she’s fat. He looks like a sweet guy who just wanted to know a girl who’s pretty. But if he had already met Sierra and knew her? I don’t think he “wouldn’t have noticed her”. Honestly the whole film is absolute bs.
Gave the message that if you’re fat and “ugly” you can only get a guy by catfishing him. Yeah, bye.
Yesssss! She kept promoting self love etc and yet changed herself so much through the course of this film! I’m surprised they let her be displayed the way they did.
You’re right, it is promoting the idea that by Cat fishing him she was able to get his attention. So, so many flaws.
I was going to watch this because I really liked Noah in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before but then I kept avoiding it and after reading so many bad reviews I don’t think I’ll even bother with it.
It just isn’t worth it in my opinion, so many issues with it!
On a really superficial level I really enjoyed this film, but I totally agree with all your points – especially the bit about kissing him. I found myself shouting at the TV when that happened, and at the end when he said “have we kissed before?” I was veeeerrrryy uncomfortable. Also as much as they “mean well” I hate the “outcast and unattractive” stereotype. I AM that, and it makes me really self conscious seeing it reinforced in the mainstream.
It’s not good is it. So many issues with the way it projects messages about body image and smarts etc. The kissing part was just alllll wrong, like no!