Work It (2020)
Story overview
Work It is a 2020 comedy and music film about a high school student who, after failing to get into her dream college, decides to form a dance team to win a competition and boost her application. The movie follows her journey as she recruits an unlikely group of dancers and learns about teamwork, friendship, and self-confidence. It combines humorous situations with energetic dance sequences, focusing on themes of perseverance and finding one's passion.
Parent Guide
A lighthearted teen comedy with positive messages about teamwork and perseverance, suitable for most families with older children.
Content breakdown
No violence or peril depicted; conflicts are verbal or related to competition.
No scary or disturbing content; the tone is upbeat and comedic.
May include occasional mild language typical of teen settings, such as light insults or exclamations.
No sexual content or nudity; focus is on dance and friendship.
No depiction of substance use; characters are focused on school and activities.
Mild emotional moments related to competition stress or friendship issues, but overall positive and uplifting.
Parent tips
This movie is rated TV-14, likely due to some mild language and thematic elements typical of teen comedies. It's generally suitable for older children and teenagers who enjoy music and dance-focused stories. Parents may want to note that the film includes scenes of high school social dynamics and peer pressure, which could be discussion points about self-esteem and authenticity.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite dance move in the movie?
- Did you like the music? What songs did you enjoy?
- How did the friends help each other in the story?
- What made you laugh the most?
- Would you want to dance like the characters? Why or why not?
- How did the main character change from the beginning to the end of the movie?
- What challenges did the dance team face, and how did they overcome them?
- Why do you think teamwork was important in the story?
- What did you learn about trying new things from this film?
- How did the characters show kindness to each other?
- What message do you think the movie is trying to send about following your dreams?
- How did peer pressure affect the characters' decisions in the film?
- In what ways did the story show the value of practice and dedication?
- What would you do differently if you were in the main character's situation?
- How does the film portray the balance between competition and friendship?
- How does the movie explore themes of identity and self-expression through dance?
- What societal or high school pressures did the characters experience, and how realistic did they seem?
- How did the film handle failure and success in relation to personal growth?
- What role did mentorship or guidance play in the characters' development?
- How might this story inspire viewers to pursue their passions despite obstacles?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Work It' is less about winning a dance competition and more about the performative nature of modern identity. Quinn's initial lie about being a dancer isn't just plot convenience—it's a metaphor for how Gen Z curates personas for college applications and social media. The driving force isn't ambition, but the terror of being ordinary in a hyper-competitive world. The real conflict emerges when Quinn must reconcile her fabricated 'dancer' identity with her actual analytical mind, discovering that leadership and choreography require the same problem-solving skills as physics. The film's resolution cleverly subverts expectations: they don't win because of a last-minute miracle routine, but because Quinn's unique perspective creates something genuinely original.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The cinematography employs a clever duality: sterile, symmetrical shots for Quinn's ordered academic life versus dynamic, handheld camerawork for dance sequences. The color palette shifts from cool blues and grays in school/library scenes to warm golds and pinks during rehearsals, visually tracking Quinn's emotional thawing. Dance sequences avoid the common trap of over-editing—the camera often holds wide shots so we can appreciate the actual choreography and group synchronization. Particularly effective is how the camera mirrors Quinn's perspective early on: keeping a clinical distance from the dancing, then gradually moving into the chaos as she becomes emotionally invested.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Sabrina Carpenter (Quinn) performed most of her own dancing, drawing on her background as a singer-performer rather than a trained dancer to authentically portray someone learning. The 'Work It' competition was filmed at Toronto's Ryerson University, with the production designing the space to feel both intimidating and aspirational. Choreographer Aakomon Jones worked with actors of varying skill levels, creating routines that looked impressive but were achievable for non-dancers, which ironically mirrors the film's plot about a team overcoming their limitations.
Where to watch
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Trailer
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