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Prom means a lot of different things to different people. Sometimes it invokes happy memories and sometimes, it’s a memory we wish we would forget or something we never experienced. Prom Pact, a new Disney+ original film, explores these exact feelings. The film follows our main character, Mandy, a senior in high school who dreams of nothing but to get into Harvard and live the perfect life she planned for herself. Meanwhile, her best friend, Ben is desperate to live his senior year to fullest, including going to prom. Mandy goes along with the plan, but only when she realizes her best bet in getting into Harvard is befriending Graham Lansing, the most popular senior in school.
If there’s one thing people need to realize about Disney and their recent original films, it’s that they are growing and expanding to various audiences, and not just aiming content toward younger or tween kids. Therefore, it’s also important to note that Prom Pact is absolutely geared toward older teens, given the mildly suggestive dialogue and scenarios that occur throughout the film. And frankly, this is a genius move by Disney.
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Prom Pact’s entire premise is a blend of experiences that so many people go through. It’s deciding where to go to college or having your heart set on that one school. It’s determining the legacy you want to leave behind and choosing the future you want to have. It’s figuring out where your relationships lie, what your priorities are, and what you may need to let go of. But it’s also the frightening thought of where your friendships will lead, the awkward moments with a crush, and the dangerously impactful rumors. Prom Pact does so well to expand on these topics through its main characters in just under two hours and manages to give us a satisfying ending.
The biggest aspect of the film are the incredible 80’s references, especially given that the major theme for their prom is the 80’s. The way the film takes inspiration from various 80’s references while also mixing together music of that time period with music of today enhances the general fun, goofy energy that the film intends to give off. And naturally, the iconic and adorable promposals are literally everywhere in the background of the movie as they feed into the culture and excitement of prom that perfectly contrast Mandy’s attitude toward it.
Now I have been watching Peyton Elizabeth Lee since Andi Mack, and it’s incredible to see how much she’s grown since then in terms of her talent and abilities. She gives a relatable and fresh performance that exposes the flaws Mandy has while also giving her heart. Milo Manheim as Ben is absolutely lovable and so much fun to watch, especially in his relationship with Monique Green’s LaToya Reynolds, whom I really wish we got to see way more.
Blake Draper as the romantic lead, Graham, gives an appropriate performance that fits the general energy of who he is as a person: a popular playboy with a reputation, but is internally a well-intentioned person with a heart of gold. But if I’m being honest, my personal favorite is Margaret Cho who manages to steal every scene she’s in. If only she could have been everyone’s guidance counselor in high school!
As far as original Disney movies are, Prom Pact is the perfect movie to watch, and it’s just in time for prom season. With the perfect high school aesthetic and well-written script, the film manages to fuse comedy with some hard-hitting facts about high school and what comes after in life. Prom Pact brings about the same great energy that DCOM’s of the 2000’s era had, and continues to prove Disney’s self-awareness in the stories that need to be told. While the movie is definitely aimed toward older teens, it’s still a fun and easy-going movie to watch, even as an adult, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Samosa Rating:
Prom Pact receives 4 out of 5 Samosas.
Prom Pact is now playing in theaters.
Runtime: 1h 38m
