He's All That

He's All That 2021

Directed by

Mark Waters

Mark Waters

Made by

Netflix

Netflix

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of He's All That (2021). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Padgett Sawyer, a high school senior and popular TikTok influencer, navigates the complex world of social media while residing with her divorced mother, a nurse. To maintain her image, she fabricates a life of luxury, pretending to live in an upscale condo, fearing her followers and sponsors would turn against her if they knew her true living conditions.

Everything changes when she discovers her boyfriend, Jordan Van Draanen, an aspiring hip-hop artist, is cheating on her with one of his backup dancers. The revelation strikes hard, and during a live stream of her emotional outburst, she faces public humiliation, resulting in a significant loss of followers and sponsorship opportunities. In a bid to reclaim her reputation, Padgett enters into a risky wager to transform the aloof and socially awkward photography student, Cameron Kweller, into the prom king.

Despite his initial disinterest, Padgett is determined to see the bet through. She gathers insights about him from his younger sister, Brin, and to get closer to Cameron, she takes up horse riding lessons. As they spend time together, a heartfelt connection blossoms between them. Over the course of their journey, Padgett discovers the tragic backstory behind Cameron’s demeanor—grief from losing their mother in a plane crash has left him with deep emotional scars, forcing him and Brin to live with their grandmother while their father is in Sweden.

In her quest to elevate Cameron’s social status, Padgett makes a concerted effort to revamp his appearance and helps him gain confidence at her friend Quinn’s party. However, the night takes a turn for the worse when Jordan makes an appearance with his backup dancer, creating a scene that threatens to shatter the progress Padgett and Cameron have made. Tensions escalate further at Alden’s extravagant Great Gatsby-themed birthday bash when Jordan attempts to manipulate the situation with Brin. A tumultuous confrontation ensues, resulting in damage to Cameron’s mother’s cherished camera.

As tensions run high, Padgett grapples with the consequences of agreeing to the bet. She begins to develop genuine feelings for Cameron but fears that her affection stems from her initial motives. Brin encourages Cameron to ask Padgett to prom, but Alden, fueled by jealousy, reveals the truth behind the bet, causing Cameron to doubt Padgett’s sincerity. On prom night, despite encouragement from her mother to embrace her authentic self, Cameron is nowhere to be found.

Brin’s belief in the budding romance finally persuades Cameron to attend the prom, yet he does not show up. Disheartened, Padgett relinquishes her aspirations for the title of Prom Queen. Much to Principal Bosch’s dismay, the crown goes to Celeste. In an unexpected twist, Padgett finds Cameron waiting for her outside on a horse, where a heartfelt apology leads to a tender kiss, sealing their newfound bond.

As the dust settles, Padgett works to rebuild her online reputation with renewed vigor, shifting her content to reflect her genuine self while traveling the world alongside her devoted boyfriend, Cameron. With their journey just beginning, Padgett learns that love and authenticity hold greater value than social media fame.

Timeline

Track the key events of He's All That (2021) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Introduction of Padgett Sawyer

Padgett Sawyer is introduced as a TikTok influencer in her final year of high school, living with her divorced mother, who works as a nurse. To maintain her online persona, she pretends to live in an upscale condo, fearing that her followers and sponsors would abandon her if they knew the truth.

Betrayal by Boyfriend

Padgett's life takes a drastic turn when she discovers that her boyfriend, Jordan Van Draanen, is cheating on her with a backup dancer. In a fit of rage, Padgett confronts him during a live stream, which humiliates her and results in a loss of followers and sponsorship deals.

The Bet

To regain her social standing, Padgett accepts a bet to transform Cameron Kweller, the most unpopular boy at school, into prom king. Despite Cameron's indifference to her, she begins the challenge, marking the start of their complicated relationship.

Gaining Insight

Padgett seeks information about Cameron from his younger sister, Brin, which helps her understand him better. In an effort to bond, Padgett begins taking horse riding lessons with Cameron, breaking through his antisocial facade.

Uncovering Cameron's Past

Through her growing friendship with Cameron, Padgett learns about the tragic loss of his mother in a plane crash, which deeply affects his life. This revelation brings Padgett closer to understanding Cameron's challenges and builds compassion between them.

Social Transformation

Padgett helps Cameron with his appearance and social skills, taking him to her friend Quinn's party. There, when Jordan and his backup dancer appear to mock Padgett, Cameron unexpectedly comes to her defense, showcasing his loyalty.

Quinn's party

Conflict at the Birthday Party

During Alden's Great Gatsby-themed birthday party, Cameron confronts Jordan when he makes an inappropriate advance toward Brin. The altercation results in Cameron's mother's camera being damaged, leading to a heated departure despite Padgett's attempts to console him.

Alden's birthday party

Padgett's Dilemma

After the conflict, Padgett begins questioning the authenticity of her actions in relation to the bet. Torn between her new feelings for Cameron and the need to fulfill the bet, she grapples with the implications of revealing her true self to her peers.

Alden's Betrayal

The next day, Alden exposes Padgett's scheme to the school, revealing her intentions to become prom queen with Jordan. This revelation creates a rift in her new bond with Cameron, as he believes she only cared about him due to the bet.

Prom Day Decisions

Despite her mother's encouragement to be herself at prom, Padgett finds herself at a crossroads when Cameron decides not to attend. Brin intervenes, encouraging Cameron to go, realizing that Padgett's influence has brought positivity back into his life.

Prom day

The Prom Conclusion

On prom night, even though Padgett declines her role as Prom Queen, she ultimately waits for Cameron outside. In a heartfelt moment that signifies their connection, she kisses him after apologizing for her earlier actions.

Prom night Outside the school

New Beginnings

After reconciling with Cameron, Padgett's journey as an influencer takes a fresh turn. She decides to focus her social media presence on authentic experiences, traveling to various destinations worldwide with her boyfriend by her side.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring He's All That (2021) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Padgett Sawyer (Addison Rae)

Padgett Sawyer is a high school senior and a popular TikTok influencer struggling to maintain her image in the face of personal challenges. Initially depicted as shallow and desperate for validation, her character evolves as she learns the value of authenticity and develops a genuine connection with Cameron. Her journey explores themes of self-discovery and the pressure of social media.

👩‍🎤 Influencer 🤡 Social Pressure 💖 Growth

Cameron Kweller (Tanner Buchanan)

Cameron Kweller is an introverted photography student who initially appears as the school's least popular student. Despite his antisocial demeanor, he is thoughtful and talented, revealing a depth that captivates Padgett. His journey alongside Padgett showcases themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the healing power of love.

📸 Photography 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Vulnerability

Jordan Van Draanen (Peyton Meyer)

Jordan Van Draanen is Padgett's ex-boyfriend, whose betrayal serves as a catalyst for her character growth. He embodies the superficial aspects of influencer culture, focusing on fame and appearances, which ultimately leads to his downfall and loss of credibility in Padgett's eyes.

🎤 Aspiring Artist 🚫 Betrayal

Setting

Uncover the settings of He's All That (2021), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Modern Day

The events of the movie take place in contemporary times, reflecting the current influence of social media and internet culture among teenagers. This era is characterized by a focus on personal branding, online presence, and the pressures that come with being a young influencer.

Location

High School, Local Condo

The primary setting of the movie is a high school environment, where social dynamics unfold amid teenage drama and influencer culture. Padgett's local condo represents her attempt to maintain an image, despite the reality of her life with her divorced mother. These locations highlight the contrast between her public persona and her private struggles.

🏫 High School 🏠 Condo

Themes

Explore the core themes of He's All That (2021). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🎭

Identity

The theme of identity runs throughout the film, showcasing the struggle between personal authenticity and public perception. Padgett's journey emphasizes the conflict between her true self and the persona she presents online, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of who she is beyond social media.

💔

Heartbreak

Heartbreak is another significant theme in the movie, as Padgett navigates the emotional turmoil of betrayal and the consequences of her relationship with Jordan. Her experiences force her to reevaluate her romantic feelings and the importance of genuine connections.

🤝

Redemption

Redemption plays a key role in Padgett's character arc, as she seeks to restore her image after a public downfall. Her efforts to genuinely connect with Cameron highlight the redemptive power of love and friendship as she moves beyond superficiality.

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