Another Netflix book to movie adaptation?
photo by Netflix
Netflix official poster.
Directed by Amy Poehler, the Netflix original, Moxie, was released on Netflix on March 3, 2021. Moxie was first a novel written by Jennifer Mathieu. The story centers around a timid 16-year-old girl named Vivian (Hadley Robinson) who becomes inspired to create a magazine to fight back against sexist bullies at her school. She is encouraged by her confident new friend Lucy (Alycia Pascual) and by her Mom’s (Amy Poehler) feminist past.
Poehler is most known for her comedy roles on “Saturday Night Live,” “Baby Mama,” “Mean Girls,” and “Parks and Recreation.” Many may not be aware of Poehler’s feminist background. The actress started a website called Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls to encourage young women to “change the world by being themselves.” Poehler’s background makes her the perfect director to be in charge of turning this novel into a movie.
I think there are very few movies that accurately portray female friendships, but Moxie explored the dynamics of these relationships very well. Throughout the movie, these girls stuck by and stood up for each other, which I think we need to see more of, on and off-screen.
I would have liked to see into all the girls’ lives, not just Vivian. It would have made the movie more interesting and more diverse. I would have loved to know more about the leader of the girl’s soccer team, Kiera (Sydney Park).
Seth (Nico Hiraga) is a well-written, perfectly casted love interest for Vivian. The movie did not center around their relationship which I was both surprised and happy about.
A problem I have with most Netflix original movies is the dialog. Characters in Netflix originals often have conversations that no one would ever have in real life. The dialog in this movie was pretty good, up until the fight that happens at dinner between Vivian and her mom.
Despite the movie’s cringe-worthy moments, I loved the overall message. This movie explores transphobia and sexual assault, taboo topics for most Netflix original movies. Despite my few critiques, Moxie is sweet, funny, and charming. I would recommend this movie for any girl’s night in.
Gwen S. • Apr 22, 2022 at 11:23 am
Having never watched Moxie, this rundown made me believe that it doesn’t sound like such a bad movie after all. I love seeing media open up more to adding LGBTQ+ content. Often the content is canceled, done poorly, or overall boring. I’ll have to match this movie soon.
Blake H. • Sep 26, 2021 at 5:41 pm
I gave up on Netflix years back, as it’s just not worth the money anymore. Take it how you want, but if you’re looking for originality, it’s not there.
braden hammer • Aug 23, 2021 at 4:58 pm
Yeah i wish netflix would stop making book’s into movie adaptations. I feel like the writers and directors don’t put much thought into the dialogue. It’s very cringey most of the time. I feel like netflix needs to be more original.