Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet YA-based coming-of-age story has mean girls, romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Geek Girl
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In GEEK GIRL, 16-year-old Harriet Manners (Emily Carey) excels at school but feels misunderstood by her classmates who tease her. Her brain is "wired differently," and she prefers trying to be invisible to standing out from the crowd. Everything changes when she attends London Fashion Week with her classmates and is "discovered" by a model talent scout. Suddenly Harriet is thrust into the world of catwalks and beauty. She's excited for the opportunity to become someone new, and can't believe her luck when she begins dating fellow model Nick (Liam Woodrum). While she looks different as a model, she eventually learns that it's impossible for her to become someone new on the inside. With the support of her parents, Nick, agent Wilbur (Emmanuel Imani), and best friend Nat (Rochelle Harrington), she stands up for herself. She plays to her strengths and puts an end to mean girl behavior in her school and in the fashion world. Harriet (spoiler alert) gets the guy, reclaims her "geek" label, and is no longer content to blend in.
Is It Any Good?
This series has all the contours of a well-worn tween media trope: a nerdy "ugly ducking" is plucked from obscurity and made beautiful. But it would be a disservice to lump Geek Girl in with questionable titles in this vein (the She's All That's of the world). Main character Harriet is complex, and since she narrates her innermost thoughts, viewers get a good sense of her nuance.
While some grown-ups might prefer a different setting for a tween-focused series, the glitz and glam of the modeling world is an irresistible hook for some kids. The appearance-focused setting is a great contrast to the point of the series: Harriet's inner transformation toward radical self-acceptance. Geek Girl is a sweet story about growing up and staying true to yourself. Like fellow ugly-ducking story The Princess Diaries, it's enjoyable for grown-ups to watch alongside their kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Harriet's path to self-acceptance. How does she go from feeling invisible and like she's different, to valuing herself exactly as she is?
What do you think about the fashion industry being the catalyst for Harriet's discovery of her true self? Does the focus on beauty and physical appearance affect Harriet's inner acceptance?
Like Harriet, do you ever feel like you're different from other kids your age? Do you think any other kids feel that way too?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 30, 2024
- Cast: Emily Carey , Liam Woodrum , Emmanuel Imani , Rochelle Harrington
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models , High School
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: May 27, 2024
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