Mean Girls is back from the screen to Broadway and back to the screen; this time, it’s a musical. The 2004 film that influenced fashion, language, and teenage culture for following its release was adapted into a stage musical 2013, premiered in 2016, and opened on Broadway in 2018. At the beginning of 2020, the movie adaptation of the stage musical was announced. The anticipated musical remake debuted January and has been in theaters ever since.
“I haven’t watched it and I don’t plan to watch it because I don’t really like musicals and it seems far from the original movie I grew up with,” declared senior Samantha Villamizar.
For those who haven’t seen the original movie or the Broadway musical, the story follows new student Cady Heron, who was homeschooled most of her life as she tries to figure out how to fit in with the social structure of high school. On her journey, she befriends the popular clique known as the “Plastics” led by Regina George. While navigating this new world, she encounters various obstacles related to popularity, friendships, and staying true to herself. The resulting antics are humorous and insightful, showing the complexities of teenage life. That is the same plot as the remake but more modernized to fit life today and with singing.
“As a senior and a 17-year-old, I feel that I will always prefer the 2004 version because it is the OG for me, but maybe the new generations will have different unbiased opinions.”
— senior Renata Alvarez-Gil
The movie stars Angourie Rice as Candy Heron, who plays a side character in all three of Tom Holland’s Spiderman movies. Regina George is played by Reneé Rapp, who also played her in the Broadway show. There’s Christopher Briney, famous for his role as Conrad Fisher in the prime video series adaptation of the Summer I Turned Pretty book trilogy, playing Aaron Samuels. Lastly, there’s Jaquel Spivey as Damian Hubbard and Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Moana, as Janis Ian, both friends with Cady.
“I didn’t watch the movie yet but my little sister did with her friends and they really liked it. I think they relate to it more and don’t compare it to the old one which proves to me that they are the new generation this movie was probably meant for,” stated senior Martina Diaz.
A difference between the two versions with modern relevance includ making social media and influencer culture play a significant role that didn’t appear in the original. Also, this version in thematically different because the 2024 version highlights self-acceptance, inclusivity, and challenging social norms more clearly than the 2004 version. The new version is also less mean than the old one.
