Review: The Clique (2008 Film)

The Clique presents itself as a pre-teen version of the iconic film Mean Girls.

According to Wikipedia, the plot centers on twelve-year-old Massie Block, the wealthy leader of the “Pretty Committee” at her private school. Her life is disrupted when her father’s friend moves into their guest house with his family, including Claire, a girl of Massie’s age who will be attending her school.

The most direct similarity to Mean Girls is its core theme: a new girl enters a socially rigid environment and confronts the established “queen bee”. Claire, facing bullying, attempts to fight back against Massie’s clique. For instance, she tries to divide Massie and her friends by using Massie’s instant messenger to spread their secrets. This reflects a common trend of the era, where Mean Girls became a cultural template that many subsequent films about teenage friendship and rivalry sought to emulate.

However, the film deviates from expectations in refreshing ways. Early on, a handsome older boy named Chris Abeley is introduced. I thought a predictable plot would be settled, where Claire and Massie would vie for his affection, with Claire ultimately winning as a symbol of the outsider triumphing. The film subverts this trope. Instead, the storyline twists toward reconciliation. When Massie wears a “I ❤️Chris Abeley” shirt and plans a public confession by jumping out of a plywood cake at an auction, Chris arrives with his girlfriend. Massie is going to face profound humiliation. Nevertheless, Claire chooses to save her from this embarrassment, which becomes a turning point in their relationship. This moment stands out, effectively moving beyond the tired narrative of two girls competing for a boy’s attention.

Another notable aspect is the film’s fashion. The stylized, high-end wardrobes of these twelve-year-olds remain impressively chic and have aged surprisingly well, even nearly two decades later.

Overall, the movie The Clique is a moderate success (score: 5/10). While the costume design is incredible and certain plot twists are appreciated, the foundational theme and structure feel too familiar to others of its genre. This often makes the storyline predictable, diminishing the impact of its more original moments.

References

1. Norton A. (2022). Unpacking the Clique Franchise [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA7iDfhnaDE&list=PL9chYBQZs5LTDxILfIv8mP9wg7fDSVxLN&index=19wg7fDSVxLN&index=1 ↩︎
2. Walker L. (2021, October 17). Adaptation review: The clique. https://psistillreadyou.wordpress.com/2020/01/06/adaptation-review-the-clique/ ↩︎
3. The Witty Committee. (2021, February 4). The clique movie. https://thewittycommittee.com/2021/02/04/the-clique-movie/ ↩︎
4. Netflix. (n.d.). The Clique. ↩︎