Prom Dates (2024) Movie Review
As two friends seek out prom dates to hold up a pact they made as kids, you watch a film that seems as beholden to the familiar as its leads are to their promise.
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Plot Summary
When they were kids, Jess and Hannah made a pact that included all these things regarding how their senior prom would be, and on the eve of the day, everything went to hell. Jess finally realizes, despite Hannah telling her forever, her boyfriend Luca is not deserving of her and Hannah? Well, she comes out and breaks up with her obsessive boyfriend, Greg.
Thus, the ladies are sent on an overnight quest to find a guy for Jess and a girl for Hannah so they can try to salvage their prom pact.
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: Blood
- Sexual Content: Nudity (Implied), Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking, Drug Use, Vomiting, Smoking
Collected Quote(s)
- It’s not confidence, it’s desperation. – Hannah
Characters and Cast Members
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Jess | Antonia Gentry |
| Hannah | Julia Lester |
| Luca | Jordan Buhat |
| Greg | Kenny Ridwan |
| Heather | Zión Moreno |
| Angie | Terry Hu |
Character Description(s)
Jess
Borderline obsessed with having the perfect senior prom, Jess is willing to hook up just to have a date and hopefully become prom queen—despite you not seeing her campaign for the position at all.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Candy Jar.”
Hannah
A recently out lesbian, Hannah isn’t the most dainty but is certainly one of the most loyal friends a person can have. But, like any little sister, she can also be annoying.
- The actor is also known for their role in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 1.”
Luca
Luca is a member of the soccer team and a bit of a playboy. Jess wants a serious relationship with him, but Lucas treats her as an accessible option rather than his final choice.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Margaux.”
Greg
Greg is Hannah’s boyfriend who didn’t know she was gay, and to make matters worse, he is the type of partner who can be quite obsessive, overzealous, and just plain creepy.
Heather
Heather is in college and claims that, at one time, she was just like Hannah. However, now she is popular, throws huge parties, and has the type of power to make straight men make out with each other.
- The actor is also known for their role in “K-12.”
Angie
A musician and one of the most popular lesbians at Harrison Lee High School, Angie is Hannah’s crush, but she finds herself challenged by trying to keep her cool around her.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Americanized.”
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Good If You Like
- Teen sex comedies
Similar To This
- Crush
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Highlights
Angie
A lot of what “Prom Dates” presents is familiar, from the childhood friendship to the dynamics of said friendship, and I’d even include there being a character like Angie, who we’re presented as someone you’re pushed to assume wouldn’t like the lead character, but does. But, with that said, Terry Hu is able to break away from feeling as generic as most of the movie does because they have a screen presence. They present Angie as the type who, for some viewers, I can imagine being credited for their sexual awakening.
Because, there is effort there. She isn’t just someone nice, cute, or likable as most of Jess’ love interest are, sans her ex-boyfriend. Angie is pushed to be someone whose existence isn’t for the sake of Hannah, and that makes her all the more interesting. Almost to the point you wish this was a series premiere vs. a movie, just to see Angie and Hannah play out beyond where the film leaves things.
Heather
While Vodka Heather is bizarre, and not in a way that would make her a scene stealer, a la Billie Lourd in “Booksmart,” she is the type of character you’ll wish was part of the film more. She gives energy, is weird, pushes the idea that she relates to Hannah and provides her some kind of guiding force, and could have been an awesome mentor—even if she is usually high on drugs.
For if there is one thing this film was truly missing, it was a wild card character. Which is a strange thing to omit since it seems to operate off a checklist for damn near every other part of the movie.
Low Points
How Quickly Jess and Hannah Recover From A Major Fight
In films like these, there is always a fight where a lot of repressed things get said, and honestly, the issues presented push the idea that Jess and Hannah should take more than a 24-hour break between their argument and making up. While Hannah gave just criticism, Jess issued a low blow, and, in my mind, what was said pushed the idea that Jess’ friendship with Hannah was based on her options, not because she liked or loved Hannah as a best friend.
I mean, I get friends fighting, but Jess’ low blow felt personal and like something she had been waiting to say for a long time; she just was unable to justify it previously.
On The Fence
It Reminds You That Being A Raunchy Comedy Doesn’t Equate To Being Funny
To be fair, an effort is made with “Prom Dates.” Heather had the potential to be comical but is underused. Greg is over the top, but in 2024, he is more creepy and annoying than funny. And while there are a slew of hijinks and weird moments, like Jess being ready to give it up to a college guy for a prom date and assuming a doggy-style position without being prompted to, rarely is this film funny.
If anything, “Prom Dates” seems to know the formula for films like this and what characters are cast, and while you can see it tried to follow the formula, the problem is the formula is stale. It doesn’t focus on any actors’ strengths or the characters who are a real draw. Instead, it just gives you something very basic, and again, you can see people trying to have a good time and deliver you a sense of entertainment. However, this film feels so dated that it is difficult to find the funny.
Background Information
| Film Length | 1 Hour 25 Minutes |
| Date Released | May 3, 2024 |
| Where To Watch | Hulu |
| Director(s) | Kim O. Nguyen |
| Writer(s) | D.J. Mausner |
| Based On Work By | N/A |
| Genre(s) | Adventure, Comedy, Romance, Young Adult, LGBT+ |
| Content Rating | Rated TV-MA |
