35. Review of Moxie (Dir. Amy Poehler, 2021)

I had this movie sitting in my watch list since it was released onto Netflix, and I am so glad that I finally got around to watching it.

Directed by Amy Poehler, Moxie follows a teenage girl who takes inspiration from her mothers rebellious youth and decides to make a zine to protest against the sexism in her school.

This film very accurately depicts issues which girls face in school surrounding how they are taught to act in certain manners and put up with gross and unacceptable behaviour from their male counterparts, raising some very important discussions about issues women and girls of all races, shapes and sizes experience and how men and institutions which allow this behaviour to continue should be held accountable.

Although this is a movie which on the surface is targeted towards a female demographic, I think it is important for boys and men to also watch this movie, as the issues raised aren't issues which are women's and girls to fix, but for the men to.

Moxie also features a great soundtrack, great acting and some really beautiful scenes, which made this meaningful coming of age film even more impactful. It is a greatly written movie, and it put me through a rollercoaster of emotions - one minute I was angry, the next laughing, and at some points even brought to tears.

I wish Moxie was a film that had been around in my teen years, but nevertheless I think this is a great movie that is heart-warming and inspiring, and I hope that younger girls who watch it may find comfort and resonate with and be inspired by this movie too.

~ Paige Nicole