Prom Pact (2023)

Prom Pact is the kind of teen rom-com that knows exactly why we still love prom movies: the heightened spectacle, the aching sincerity underneath, and the tiny choices that feel like they’ll decide your whole life. Director Anya Adams gives it a bright, John Hughes-adjacent vibe while letting Peyton Elizabeth Lee’s Mandy be more than a type—sharp, funny, and quietly vulnerable as her laser-focus on Harvard gets tested by friendship, first love, and real-world pressure. The humor lands easily, but what sneaks up on you is how tender the movie is about loyalty and the cost of chasing the “right” future, with a cast that makes even the popular-kid orbit feel human. If you’re allergic to high school theatrics or prefer your romance edgy, this may be too sweet, but if you want a charming, feel-good watch with an honest heart, it’s an easy yes.

Prom Pact is clearly trying to be a glossy, self-aware throwback to classic teen rom-coms, mixing prom spectacle with a “what do I really want?” coming-of-age arc. The problem is it plays everything very safe, so the drama, comedy, and social satire rarely get sharp enough to leave a real mark, and a lot of the beats feel like familiar checklist moments rather than surprises. If you want your teen comedies messier, meaner, or more emotionally raw, this will likely feel too sanitized and low-stakes. That said, the leads are likable, the pacing is easy, and the movie is perfectly watchable if you’re in the mood for a sweet, Disney-clean romance with mild conflict and a predictable payoff.