Blockers 2018
Directed by
Kay Cannon
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Plot Summary
On prom night, Julie (Kathryn Newton) confides in her closest friends Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Sam (Gideon Adlon) about her plan to lose her virginity to her boyfriend Austin (Graham Phillips). Inspired by this revelation, Kayla vows to follow suit but intends to do so in a more casual manner with her lab partner, Connor (Miles Robbins). Meanwhile, Sam is grappling with her identity as a closeted lesbian and, despite her hesitations, decides to join the pact in hopes of solidifying her bond with her friends before they all head off to college. She attends prom alongside the quirky Chad (Jimmy Bellinger), who wears a fedora and is pretty harmless.
Lisa (Leslie Mann), Julie’s mother, hosts a pre-party for both parents and kids, adding a layer of tension as Julie conceals her acceptance to UCLA from her mother, who disapproves of the choice. Upon Julie’s departure, Lisa discovers the acceptance letter hidden in her daughter’s room.
Meanwhile, Mitchell (John Cena), Kayla’s father, tries to reconnect with Lisa after her earlier evasions, while Hunter (Ike Barinholtz), Sam’s free-spirited father who divorced due to his infidelities, arrives in a limousine to whisk the girls away, promising to make their night unforgettable. As the evening unfolds, the girls text each other about their pact, inadvertently allowing Mitchell and Lisa to stumble upon their messages when they overhear Julie’s open laptop. Enlisting Hunter’s help to decode the emoji-laden texts, the group realizes they must intervene to prevent the girls from following through with their plans.
As the parents tail the girls from one party to the next, it’s evident that underlying issues fuel their overprotective behavior. Mitchell is in deep denial regarding Sam’s sexuality and believes she requires protection from boys like Connor. Hunter, burdened by guilt for neglecting Sam following his turbulent split from her mother Marcie (Sarayu Rao), keeps insisting on looking after her. Lisa, grappling with her own insecurities about letting Julie grow up and leave, feels that UCLA is too far, preferring she attend the University of Chicago instead.
The night culminates in a heated argument between Lisa and Julie after a drunken Sam decides against sleeping with Chad, who prematurely ejaculates. Kayla also reevaluates her casual stance on virginity while she and Connor opt to get to know each other better. When Mitchell bursts into the scene and aggressively confronts Connor, Kayla recognizes her father’s genuine intentions, appreciating his guidance in matters of self-protection.
As the night progresses, Sam shares a heartfelt moment with Hunter, where they bridge the gap of neglect. Sam comes out to her father, marking a significant step in their relationship, while Lisa is touched by the evident love shared between Julie and Austin. She makes a discreet exit from their hotel room, granting them the privacy they desire.
In a poignant moment, Lisa resolves to maintain her friendship with Mitchell and acknowledges Hunter’s struggles of being ostracized. The bond strengthens as the three girls swap stories, with Sam openly coming out to Julie and Kayla, both of whom offer unwavering support. In a romantic twist, Sam shares a kiss with her crush, Angelica (Ramona Young).
Fast forward three months, Julie embarks on her college journey with Sam and Kayla accompanying her to California. As they drive away, Lisa discovers she has been looped into their group chat, which teems with plans for drugs. The three parents rush to the car but quickly learn that the girls were just having a bit of fun, culminating in a light-hearted “I love you” text sent back to them.
Timeline
Julie Confides in Friends
On prom night, Julie opens up to her closest friends Kayla and Sam about her intention to lose her virginity to her boyfriend Austin. This revelation sets the course for the events of the night as Kayla feels inspired to pursue her own casual encounter.
Kayla's Casual Intentions
Inspired by Julie's plans, Kayla decides to embark on her own journey of sexual exploration with her lab partner Connor. She resolves to approach it in a more laid-back manner, contrasting with Julie's serious intent.
Sam's Internal Struggles
Sam, who is grappling with her identity as a closeted lesbian, decides to join her friends in the pact. This decision is motivated by her desire to strengthen her bond with Julie and Kayla before they part ways for college.
Pre-prom Party
Julie’s mother, Lisa, hosts a pre-prom party for the kids and parents. During this gathering, Julie keeps her acceptance letter to UCLA a secret from Lisa, who disapproves of her choice of college.
Parents' Concerns
Mitchell, Kayla's father, attempts to reconnect with Lisa while Sam's father, Hunter, picks up the girls in a limousine. Their overprotective instincts are heightened by their children’s plans to explore their relationships, leading to comedic misunderstandings.
Text Messages Exposed
While the girls text each other about their sexual pact, their messages accidentally catch the attention of their parents when they overhear Julie’s open laptop. They rally together to decode the emojis and protect their daughters from potential mishaps.
Parents Tail the Girls
Realizing they need to intervene, the parents follow the girls from one party to another throughout the night. Their protective behavior is fueled by unresolved issues within their own relationships and misconceptions about their children's intentions.
Heated Argument
The night culminates in a confrontation between Lisa and Julie after a boozy incident involving Sam and Chad. Kayla begins to question her carefree approach to virginity as she realizes the significance of their choices.
Sam Comes Out
In a poignant moment, Sam shares her truth about her sexuality with Hunter, marking a crucial breakthrough in their relationship. This heartfelt exchange strengthens their bond and fosters a new level of understanding.
Julie and Austin's Private Moment
While the tension escalates outside, Lisa witnesses a tender moment between Julie and Austin. Moved by their affection, she chooses to step away and allow them the privacy they need.
Friendship Solidified
Following their individual revelations, Julie, Kayla, and Sam come together to share their experiences and openly support each other. Their friendship deepens as they create a safe space for honesty.
Sam's First Kiss
In a romantic development, Sam finally shares a kiss with her crush Angelica. This moment not only marks a significant step in her journey of self-acceptance but also showcases the female friendships blooming around them.
College Bound
Fast forward three months, Julie is ready to embark on her college journey in California, accompanied by Kayla and Sam. Their friendship remains strong as they prepare for the next stage of their lives.
Group Chat Discovery
As they drive away, Lisa realizes she has been added to the girls’ group chat, overflowing with innocent plans. Their humorous banter alleviates her worries, revealing their youthful spirit.
Light-hearted Goodbye
Upon discovering the girls' group chat, the parents rush after them but soon find out that there’s nothing to worry about. The night ends on a light note with an affectionate message exchanged between the daughters and their parents.
Characters
Julie
Julie is a determined and thoughtful teenager, eager to embrace adulthood while facing the challenges of growing up. She navigates her relationship with her mother, Lisa, balancing her independence with the desire for parental approval. Her journey symbolizes the struggles of young women as they explore their identities and relationships.
Kayla
Kayla is fun-loving and adventurous, seeking a casual approach to relationships. While she initially embraces a carefree attitude towards her pact with Julie, she reveals depth as the night progresses, especially in her relationship with her father. Her character illustrates the complexities of teenage friendships and growth.
Sam
Sam is introspective and grappling with her sexual identity, providing a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Her closeted status adds emotional tension but leads to growth as she understands her feelings and gains support from her friends. Her coming out serves as a significant moment reflecting self-acceptance.
Mitchell
Mitchell is a well-meaning father who struggles with letting go of his daughter while dealing with his own misconceptions about her needs. Throughout the movie, he faces the challenge of accepting Sam's identity, representing a parental journey of growth and understanding. His character adds comedic yet heartfelt elements to the narrative.
Lisa
Lisa is a caring but overprotective mother who must navigate her fears and insecurities about her daughter growing up. Her journey highlights the complexities of maternal relationships and the challenge of accepting independence for her child. Her emotional arc is significant as she learns to trust Julie's decisions.
Hunter
Hunter is a free-spirited father whose chaotic lifestyle and past mistakes create conflict in his relationship with Sam. Despite his flaws, he tries to make amends and connect with her, adding depth to his character as he seeks redemption. His approach to parenting offers both humor and insight.
Setting
Time period
Modern Day
The events of 'Blockers' take place in contemporary times, resonating with today's youth culture and societal norms. The film reflects current issues faced by teens, including identity exploration, family dynamics, and the complexities of growing up in a digital world.
Location
UCLA, University of Chicago, California
The story begins around prom night, a significant and celebratory event in high school culture. Key locations include UCLA, which symbolizes a new beginning for Julie, and the University of Chicago, representing a parental preference for stability. California serves as the backdrop for their future aspirations and adventures after high school.
Themes
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Identity
Identity plays a crucial role, particularly through Sam's journey as a closeted lesbian navigating her feelings and relationships. The support from her friends, Julie and Kayla, highlights the importance of acceptance and understanding in personal growth. The theme encapsulates the struggle of self-discovery in the face of societal expectations.
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Coming of Age
The movie centers on the transition from adolescence to adulthood, showcasing the girls’ pact as a milestone in their lives. Each character faces different challenges and realizations about relationships, sexuality, and independence, marking the significance of prom night as a rite of passage.
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Family
Family relationships are intensely explored, particularly the parental concerns for their children as they confront their own insecurities and past mistakes. The film highlights the complexities of communication and understanding within family dynamics, as parents grapple with allowing their children to grow while also wanting to protect them.
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