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Movie Review- “Mean Girls”

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Movie Review

“Mean Girls” is a 2004 teenage comedy movie written by Tina Fey and directed by Mark

Waters. It is a play based on Rosalind Wiseman’s book “Queen Bees and Wannabes.” The film

explores the complex and often treacherous world of high school social dynamics, offering a

scathing critique of how teenagers manipulate and exploit one another to climb the social ladder.

(Geller, 2014)

The main character of the play is Cady Heron, a 16-year-old from Africa who relocates to

Illinois and enrolls in a public high school. She quickly discovers that the social structure of the

school is divided into cliques that compete for dominance and influence as she makes her way

around her new surroundings. The Plastics, a group of three well-liked girls led by the cunning

Regina George, stand at the top of the pyramid. (2004) "Mean Girls".

The conflict theory offers a great framework for understanding the story and themes of

"Mean Girls.”. It emphasizes the power struggles and inequality present in the social structure of

the school. According to the conflict theory, social issues develop when competing groups vying

for resources and power engage in conflict (Mean Girls, 2004).

In the case of "Mean Girls," the Plastics use their position at the top of the social ladder to

control and manipulate those around them. The journey that Cady takes throughout the film can

be interpreted as an effort to undermine the authority of the Plastics and effect social change. She

becomes a threat to the Plastics' dominance as she forges ties with other groups and divulges

their secrets. 2014's (Geller).

According to the theory, groups with less clout challenge the status quo and fight for a

more equitable distribution of opportunities and resources. (Macionis and Gerber, 2011) At the

end of the day, "Mean Girls" offers a scathing critique of how social hierarchies can produce
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toxic and abusive environments. It emphasizes the cruel and cunning ways in which teenagers

can act to advance their social status. The film does, nonetheless, give viewers a glimmer of hope

that change is possible even in the most rigid and hierarchical social structures. (2014) Geller.

By challenging the Plastics' power and working to create a more inclusive and equitable

social environment, Cady becomes a symbol of the power of social change. “Mean Girls”

provides a valuable commentary on how social hierarchies can create negative outcomes, but

also highlights the potential for positive change through collective action and challenging

established power structures. (Macionis & Gerber, 2011)

According to conflict concept, society is made up of various individuals having

conflicting interests, and social issues result from disputes between these groups (Macionis,

2017). This theory is illustrated in "Mean Girls" by how the social structure at North Shore High

School is portrayed. The Plastics are at the top of the pyramid, led by Regina George (Rachel

McAdams), and they use their influence to manipulate those below them to maintain their

position and control. The rest of the student body is divided into various cliques, with each group

vying for influence and prestige.

The model contends that individuals will go to any lengths, including abusing others, to

preserve their standing in society (Macionis, 2017). This is clear in "Mean Girls," where the

Plastics constantly employ various subterfuges to maintain their dominance. In particular, Regina

George is the personification of this concept. To keep her place as the most popular girl in

school, she is ruthless, domineering, and ready to go to any lengths. She manipulates and holds

those close to her, including her friends, foes, and mother, under her control.

The conflict theory also suggests that social inequality is a result of the struggle for

power between different groups (Macionis, 2017). This is clearly illustrated in “Mean Girls” as
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the Plastics use their social status to control and dominate those around them. They use their

power to exclude others, create social barriers, and enforce strict social norms. For example,

when Cady tries to join their group, they make her jump through hoops and conform to their

strict dress code and behavioral rules. Social change is a crucial component of conflict theory.

This theory contends that social change happens when weaker groups fight against the current

order and demand a more equitable distribution of opportunities and resources (Macionis, 2017).

This concept is put into practice in "Mean Girls" when Cady challenges the authority of the

Plastics and attempts to affect social change. She accomplishes this by forming ties with other

organizations, disclosing the Plastics' darkest secrets, and ultimately deposing Regina.

According to the conflict theory, inequality and power disparities are the root causes of

social problems (Macionis, 2017). The social hierarchy causes a variety of issues for the

characters in "Mean Girls," which makes this clear. For instance, the outcasts Janis Ian (Lizzy

Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese) experience bullying and exclusion from popular kids.

Cady is torn between two worlds to blend in with the Plastics while remaining true to herself.

Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert) battles her insecurities and sense of self because she feels like

she is constantly in Regina's shadow.

In a nutshell, the conflict model highlights the social hierarchy and power disparities that

exist in the movie's setting and explains how these imbalances cause conflict and tension

amongst various factions. By applying this theory, we can comprehend the movie's characters,

themes, and underlying messages better and appreciate the intricacy of the social processes in

action.
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References

Geller, K. (2014). Social identity in Mean Girls. Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201404/social-identity-in-

mean-girls

Macionis, J. J., & Gerber, L. M. (2011). Sociology (7th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

Mean Girls. (2004). Directed by Mark Waters. Written by Tina Fey. IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377092/

Paramount Pictures. (2019, September 17). Mean Girls [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTjV9AMw86Y