Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018)

Directed by: Ian Samuels | 105 minutes | comedy, drama | Actors: Shannon Purser, Kristine Froseth, RJ Cyler, Noah Centineo, Loretta Devine, Giorgia Whigham, Alice Lee, Lea Thompson, Alan Ruck, Mary Pat Gleason, Chrissy Metz, Elizabeth Tovey, Mariam Tovey, Will Peltz, Shoniqua Shandai

With ‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser’, Netflix is ​​back with another young adult romcom (relatively shortly after the successful film adaptation of ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’). The title role of Sierra is played by Shannon Purser, who gained a huge following after a supporting role in just a few episodes of the Neftlix series ‘Stranger Things’. Sierra is her first lead role and she manages to play it with gusto – Purser is a welcome addition to the current range of Hollywood actresses.

We meet Sierra, a young girl with red curls and freckles, she plays in the marching band and loves literature and philosophy. With a slightly firmer build, she does not meet the standard beauty ideals and so she tells her own reflection “You are a magnificent beast!”. Her loving parents are nothing but praise and Sierra seems to stand her ground against the bullies at school. But if we are to believe the title of the film, Sierra is a loser. And so when Sierra and popular cheerleader Veronica face off, the standard is set. Or not?

When handsome Jamey (played by ‘To All The Boys..’ actor Noah Centineo) gets Sierra’s phone number as a result of a joke, the two teens begin a friendship by sending each other text messages and animal pictures. Soon there is a click and they fall for each other. The only thorny issue is that Jamey thinks he’s dealing with the beautiful Veronica (Kristine Froseth). Sierra is well aware of this, but can’t bring herself to tell the truth.

As the film progresses and Sierra becomes more and more embroiled in her own lies, she needs the help of Veronica, who in turn could use some advice from Sierra. Gradually, the two opposites get to know each other better and become good friends. Prejudice is broken and towards the end the roles even seem to be reversed: in a dramatic moment Veronica gains the viewer’s sympathy and Sierra still earns the stamp of loser. And not because of her hobbies or her looks, but by being excessively unkind to others.

With this teen film, Netflix is ​​doing exactly what it does best: making films for a specific target group, who want to be entertained with a light story and a strong lead. There’s a lot to like about ‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser’, especially the wafer-thin script. Sierra’s actions are not always believable (and at times even a bit egocentric) and the soundtrack also regularly misses the right tone. All in all, it is certainly not a very strong drama, but it is certainly suitable for the young target group who can recognize themselves in the teenage scheming. A Netflix version of ‘Clueless’ meets an endless ‘Catfish’ episode.