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Jawbreaker
1999 87 min United States of America R 16+
★5.0
Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Director: Darren Stein
Trailers
Description
When an exclusive clique of teenage socialites accidentally murder their best friend on the morning of her birthday, the three girls responsible conspire to hide the truth.
Budget:
$3M
US Gross:
$3.12M
Worldwide:
$3.1M
Starring
Rose McGowan
Actor
Rebecca Gayheart
Actor
Julie Benz
Actor
Awards
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1999
— Best Villain
Key opinion
Jawbreaker is a polarizing cult dark comedy that divides audiences with its cynical tone and stylized 90s aesthetic. While many viewers appreciate Rose McGowan’s standout performance and the film’s sharp, satirical take on high school social hierarchies, others find the narrative implausible and the characters morally repellent.
| Acting | Rose McGowan provides an iconic, commanding performance as the manipulative ringleader Courtney Shayne. | |
| Score | The soundtrack features a cohesive and highly effective selection of 90s music that captures the film's distinct tone. | |
| Production | The production design and costumes offer a stylish, gaudy aesthetic that effectively anchors the film's satirical vision of the 90s. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is praised for sharp, witty dialogue and satirical bite, though it is frequently criticized for significant logic gaps and an underdeveloped plot. | |
| Acting | The casting of actors clearly older than their high school characters creates a distraction for some, while others find the performances convincing enough to overlook the age gap. | |
| Theme | The film's dark, cynical approach to serious themes like accidental death and social manipulation is seen as either an engaging, abstract satire or a repellent and shallow experience. |