Conner

I thought this was was great. The reviews hating on in clearing don’t understand the message and are the people who this movie and other feminist movements aim to educate. This movie was witty, though a bit cliche (but in nice entertaining and heartfelt ways) and touched on mainly important issues. Some of the characters may seem like “extreme” stereotypes but I think that was the point. To further emphasize both the strength of female leaders, it included very rebellious outspoken girls, as well as ridiculously obnoxious jocks to emphasize the main message of how sexism is still prominent. These “stereotypes” were made to make this blatantly clear. There was a diverse cast, and also highlighted this. It touches a bit on ableism, a good bit on racism, transphobia, and of course sexism. And it’s pretty realistic. The main antagonist is grossly accurate of so many boys, and my only negative comment about Moxie would be that it’s triggering at times. Because it doesn’t shy away from serious topics, nor does it just throw them it. These topics are cleverly woven in and shine in this story of empowered young women standing up to their schools unfair treatment to girls. It teaches how there are better ways to protest, and the dangers of going to far even with good intentions. Some have stretched this out and said the movie encouraged this, while it seems to do the opposite. It shows consequences and at the very least anxiety will come when fighting for the right reasons is done the wrong way. It also includes the message that it’s okay to not have the ability to be so rebellious. You don’t have to be a loud and proud radical feminist to make a difference, and you’re not “not doing enough” if it’s simply not safe for you to break certain rules or you just aren’t that incredibly brave. It also shows how nice and important it is for men to also involve themselves in feminism, but also that there are good men. You can find respectful men who are passionate about women’s rights. But it also identifies that men are all have the responsibility to do what they can to support women and use their privilege to uplift their voices. It touches on the existence of r*pe even with people who are in relationships, and shows that it is still r*pe and just as traumatizing. Every second of this movie showed an important message, and this was impressively illustrated in such a clear way. I loved the intersectionality and the nod to the #metoo movement. I applaud Amy Pohler for including so much in this while still making it a funny, and appropriately cheesy teen comedy-drama (with some very cute romance). Moxie brings out her inner Leslie Knope that I’ve missed since P+R was taken off Netflix, so I was happy to find this gem on there.