The gender-swapped remake of She’s All That has a few issues, but it gets several things right in terms of adapting the plot to today’s social climate and cinematic preferences. He’s All That, like other teen films, is riddled with the clichés that have become synonymous with the genre. As a result, fans can look to a variety of different films for a comparable storyline or something that does a better job of executing those cliches.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
When Cameron falls in love with Bianca, a prominent girl at his new school, she tells him that her father will only let her date if her elder sister does as well. Cameron hires Patrick to court Kat in order to get over his overprotective father’s regulation. Bianca originally ignored Cameron in favor of another popular senior called Joey, but the two eventually became friends and close.
Unlike most teen films, which focus on a single love narrative, 10 Things I Hate About You alternated between the love lives of two sisters, Kat and Bianca. Kat’s story, with the bet and the payout, is the most similar to Padgett and Cameron’s relationship. It’s a humorous, delightful film with outstanding performances by superstars such as Heath Ledger.
After (2019)
When Tessa Young meets the dark, brooding Hardin Scott during her first year of college, she has an interesting year. After some initial squabbles, Hardin begins to show more interest in her, and before long, they’re dating, and Tessa has fallen hard for him.
The relationship between the two main protagonists is constructed on a lie, beginning with a bet, just like in He’s All That. The finer points of the bet are different, but there’s also a makeover element, as Tessa modifies her appearance in response to Hardin’s taunting. Despite After’s poor reviews, the franchise is still going strong, with a third film, After We Fell, set to hit theaters soon.
Clueless (1995)
Clueless is loosely modeled on Jane Austen’s Emma and follows the glamorous and popular Cher Horowitz and her matchmaking adventures. Cher takes on Tai, a new girl, as her next project and gives her a makeover as a way to give back to the community after successfully matching two teachers at her school.
Even though Cher wasn’t the one who got a makeover, Tai’s transformation gave her a new outlook on life and values. Cher learns she has genuine feelings for someone she cares about, similar to Padgett, who was initially focused with the superficial and keeping up appearances until her connection with Cameron gave her a new perspective, and she begins to contribute in more meaningful ways.
Drive Me Crazy (1999)
Nicole misses out on the chance to go to prom with a basketball star in Drive Me Crazy and instead sets her sights on her next-door neighbor, Chase. Chase agrees to pretend-date Nicole after being dumped by his girlfriend. Chase gets a makeover with Nicole’s guidance, and the two of them gradually develop genuine affections for each other during their fictitious romance.
Drive Me Crazy fulfills a number of the criteria that make up main narratives in He’s All That, with the makeover cliche and two kids creating an unexpected connection. It’s a feel-good story with some serious and touching parts, despite its lack of popularity.
Geek Charming (2011)
In Disney’s Geek Charming, two total opposites, Dylan, the popular girl, and Josh, the film geek, cross paths after a series of events, leading to her becoming the subject of his documentary/movie on high school popularity. Several things happen during the filming, including the two of them growing closer (but denying their feelings) and Dylan’s boyfriend breaking up with her because she was acting and looking like “the geeks.”
Geek Charming almost reverses the adolescent movie makeover stereotype by portraying Dylan as the polar opposite of what is typically considered popular. The message is the same towards the end of the film: what matters is what’s on the inside, not what’s on the outside.
Not Another Teen Movie is a mash-up of all the popular teen movies. It mocks fan-favorite cliches like the nerd makeover, which is based on a bet between a jock and his friends.
The film is based on She’s All That, which explains why it and He’s All That are so similar. It also parodies a number of other teen films, such as Sixteen Candles, Ten Things I Hate About You, and Bring It On. Despite making light of the genre, the film did not frequently breach the fourth wall and was nevertheless entertaining to watch, thanks to a youthful Chris Evans’ performance.
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Padgett lies to everyone about where she lives in He’s All That, ashamed to share the reality about her financial status. Her beautiful social media profile and sponsorships help her cover this until the end, when she reveals her true tale. Andie in Pretty in Pink has a few similarities to Padgett in that she is an outsider at her posh high school and lives with her underemployed working-class father.
Andie is initially pleased when Blane, one of the popular men at school, asks her out before realizing their socioeconomic status inequalities. Both movies feature the “unpopular teen dating the popular person” stereotype, as well as the “best friend with a secret crush” cliché. Pretty In Pink, on the other hand, has an unexpected ending, making it a one-of-a-kind teen film.
She’s All That (1999)
In She’s All That, Zack, a successful jock, focuses on a new project, Laney, to help him get over his fiancée ditching him for a reality TV star. As part of a wager with his pals to make anyone popular, he wants to turn her into a prom queen. With time, he begins to actually like her, and the bet is forgotten until the shocking revelation that jeopardizes their budding relationship.
Of course, because this is a remake of He’s All That, the plot of this one is very similar to that of He’s All That. In some ways, the remake improved the tale (for example, by incorporating more varied individuals), yet She’s All That remains the best makeover film. The casting of Rachel Leigh Cook, who played Laney in the original, as the lead’s mother in the remake, as well as Matthew Lillard, was a nice nod to the 1999 film.
The DUFF (2018)
Bianca makes a pact with a popular jock after learning that she is her group’s designated ugly fat friend (DUFF). He gives her a makeover in exchange for her assisting him with his grades. The time they spend together allows them to see more of each other, and their bond grows stronger.
From Bianca’s makeover to the old “teach the athlete so he doesn’t get benched” narrative, The DUFF has its flaws, but it still checks most of the boxes for a teen film. Even if the execution is a little sloppy, it contains an important message about self-love and body positivity in movies.
The Kissing Booth (2018)
Elle has a strong crush on one of the most popular guys at school, who happens to be her best friend’s older brother, Noah, in The Kissing Booth. They begin a covert romance when he saves her from an embarrassing situation and they share a kiss in a kissing booth, nearly jeopardizing Elle’s friendship with Lee.
The main love tale, like He’s All That, is based on the classic stereotype of an unpopular person falling for a popular one. That’s just one of The Kissing Booth’s many clichés. The tale of Elle and Noah continues throughout the franchise, with a shocking conclusion in the most current installment, The Kissing Booth 3.