Honor Society (2022)

What makes Honor Society pop is how it takes the familiar high-school-to-Ivy-League scramble and sharpens it into a sly, darkly funny caper with real bite—and then lets it surprise you with a streak of genuine heart. Angourie Rice is terrific as Honor, playing ambition like a superpower that’s equal parts exhilarating and alarming, while the film’s witty, brisk writing keeps the comedy landing even when the edges get a little mean. The vibe is smart, slightly wicked, and fast-moving, the kind of teen comedy that trusts its audience to enjoy a clever turn without being spoon-fed. If you prefer your high school movies sweet and sentimental, this one’s more acidic than cozy—but if you like your laughs laced with ambition and consequences, it’s a very entertaining ride.

Honor Society is trying to be a sharp, modern high-school satire about ambition, privilege, and the messy ethics of getting ahead, with Angourie Rice committing hard to the scheming overachiever energy. The problem is it often settles for broad strokes: the gender/class commentary feels more like a checklist than a bite, and the comedy swings between genuinely snappy and oddly flat. When the story reaches its final stretch, it leans into a more conventional wrap-up that can make the “lesson” land a bit superficial and the plot feel lighter than it wants to be. If you’re hoping for something as pointed as Election or as emotionally layered as a great coming-of-age comedy, this may disappoint—but if you just want a slick, watchable teen romp with a fun premise and a few solid laughs, it can still do the job.