The Clique (2008)

The Clique is a fizzy, fashion-forward middle-school melodrama that understands how huge small things can feel at thirteen, when a lunch table can seem like a throne room and a rumor can land like a meteor. Director Michael Lembeck keeps the tone bright and brisk, letting the cattiness and comedy sparkle while still giving the story a surprisingly sincere heartbeat about identity, belonging, and the price of popularity. Elizabeth McLaughlin makes Massie a deliciously watchable queen bee—sharp, insecure, and magnetic—while Ellen Marlow grounds the film with an underdog warmth that makes you want to root for her without turning the movie into a sermon. It’s not for everyone if you’re allergic to teen-girl social warfare and designer-label obsession, but if you can enjoy a PG spin on Mean Girls energy with a family-friendly edge, it’s an easy, entertaining watch.

The Clique is clearly aiming for a glossy, kid-friendly Mean Girls-lite about fitting in, finding your spine, and learning that popularity isn’t worth cruelty. The problem is it leans so hard into bratty behavior and constant put-downs that it can feel more like watching bullying dressed up as fashion comedy than a satisfying coming-of-age story. The performances are committed and the movie has a few genuinely funny, soapy moments, but the characters are intentionally shallow and the “lesson” arrives after a lot of unpleasantness. If you’re sensitive to mean-girl antics or want a warmer family comedy, this may test your patience; if you like campy teen drama with a clear moral at the end, it’ll do the job.