Popular Theory

I literally came into this movie with little to no expectations and no idea what it was about. I was completely blown away at the genius of the writing and execution of the script. I laughed (a lot) and teared up (a bit). Definitely recommend if you 1) have kids 2) want a cute feel-good movie or 3) want to connect with your nerdy inner child.

As a young girl with a strong inner nerd who desperately wanted to be popular, I really related to the theme of this film. I loved it so much. Go see this movie if you need a little pick me up or just want to see some great acting and witness some great writing.

It's one of those movies aimed at children that I used to watch a lot when I was a kid during the afternoon TV slots. The script, while quite predictable, somehow manages to draw you in. There's a compelling element that keeps you engaged, perhaps the charm of simplicity combined with a touch of humor and innocence.

The movie does an excellent job of conveying its message, skillfully portraying life lessons in a manner that's easy for children to understand. It even succeeds in making the audience understand the main antagonist in a convencing way. The editing is well done, especially for a low budget film.

Speaking of performances, the child actors are really good and have chemistry. The film is not just fun but also sprinkles plenty of laughs throughout, making it a delightful watch for both children and adults who appreciate a light-hearted, feel-good family movie.

A beautifully done fun and heartwarming film about friendship and being who you are. Director Ali Scher did such an incredible job using color to tell a story.

This is a great story about two wickedly smart pre-teens (and some other "unpopulars") who struggle to fit in at school, and even at home. They find solace in science and develop a chemical for the school science fair that makes you popular. Erwin struggles to maintain objectivity as the desire to have friends and be popular weighs on her. In the end the story is about loving yourself and being kind to others. Do they win the science fair? You'll have to watch to find out!

This was a heart-warming family movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. The two gifted students' friendship has its ups and downs; we observe them as they are learning about themselves and each other. They also must learn how to navigate the high school with all the challenges of diversity and levels of maturity. There were amusing scenes that had me laughing out loud and also touching scenes that made me teary-eyed. The music enhanced the movie; I will watch this again to better appreciate what I may have missed during my first viewing. All in all, it had a wonderful cast and a clever plot. Kudos to Ali Scher, director and co-writer!

"Popular Theory" is a smart, fun comedy-drama about family, friendship, and (of course!) science. Outcast and child genius Erwin pairs up with rival student Winston in an attempt to win the state science fair, but gets more than she bargained for as her experiment slowly spirals out of control and ultimately teaches her some important lessons about friendship, family, and what it really means to be "smart."

This is one of those movies that everyone in the family can agree on and enjoy watching for different reasons. I appreciated that I could watch it with my younger kids-I didn't have to explain any overt references that were too old for them, there were no seriously scary or violent parts, and the pace was fast enough that it kept their interest. (And the science, while science-y in the way you hope it will be, is not too challenging to understand for all ages.)

For older kids and adults, the movie surprisingly manages to tackle some dynamic, difficult issues: acceptance and social rejection (for Erwin, her sister, and several other characters), death of a parent, depression (the dad), neurodivergent behaviors (Winston), the power of nontraditional families (the aunt), ethical questions of social/corporate responsibility (does accountability for abuse of an invention lie in the hands of the user or inventor?), etc etc. These more complex themes made the film enjoyable for my spouse and I and gave us some great opportunities for follow-on conversations with our eldest child, but the mature content was elevated enough to go over the heads of the little ones, who just enjoyed watching the film for its great main story line, lovable characters, and a few fun twists.

The film showcases great writing, directing, acting, music, and set design. It's a more wholesome "Mean Girls" with a smart, quirky heroine and had moments that reminded me of movies like "Matilda," "Juno," and some Wes Anderson films and shows like "Just Add Magic" and "The Babysitters Club." I've been recommending it to all my friends-those with kids and those without-who want to watch a smart, refreshing film with a lot of heart.