Moxie (2021)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
A high school student creates a feminist zine to empower her peers against bullying and sexual harassment.
The story
Sixteen-year-old Vivian attends Rockport High School, where she notices the casual sexism and harassment faced by her classmates, particularly a new student named Lucy. After discovering her mother's old feminist zines, Vivian is inspired to create "Moxie," a zine designed to call out unfair treatment and empower young women. She keeps the project a secret from most, sharing it only with a few girls who have been targeted by the school's jocks. As Vivian navigates her growing relationship with a classmate named Seth and her complicated dynamic with her mother, she seeks to build a community of resistance against the school's toxic culture.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Vivian, a high school student, discovers the pervasive sexism at Rockport High School after witnessing a jock, Mitchell, harass a new student, Lucy. Inspired by her mother's old zines, Vivian starts "Moxie," a secret feminist zine. While she begins a relationship with Seth, who supports her cause, her friend Claudia remains skeptical. The girls begin taking action, such as placing stickers around the school, which leads to a confrontation with Principal Shelly. Tensions rise when Mitchell wins a soccer scholarship meant for Kiera, a girl the group champions. After a period of personal struggle and a confrontation with her mother about her secret project, Vivian finds an anonymous note from a girl who was raped the previous year. She organizes a school-wide walkout, where she finally reveals she started "Moxie." During the walkout, Emma, the head cheerleader, comes forward to reveal that Mitchell was her rapist. The school community unites in support of Emma, and Principal Shelly plans to punish Mitchell. The film ends with Vivian reconciling with her mother and Claudia, and the "Moxie" group celebrating their success.
- Original title
- MOXiE!
- First release year
- 2021
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Amy Poehler
- Writers
- Tamara Chestna · screenplay; Dylan Meyer · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Hadley Robinson · Vivian; Alycia Pascual-Peña; Lauren Tsai; Nico Hiraga; Patrick Schwarzenegger; Amy Poehler; The Linda Lindas · themselves
- Genres
- comedy-drama
- Themes
- feminism; empowerment; coming-of-age; sisterhood
- Tone and mood
- comedy-drama; sweet
- Premise and plot tags
- high school; feminist; coming-of-age
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2017 novel of the same name by Jennifer Mathieu
- Content notes
- sexual harassment; rape
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its coming-of-age elements while others criticized its handling of themes and diversity.
- Production trivia
- Amy Poehler served as a producer under her Paper Kite Productions banner.; Principal photography began in Arcadia, California.; The Linda Lindas appear in the film performing at a party.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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