If you're one of the millions of people who fell in love with "She's All That," there's
a whole lot to enjoy about "He's All That." Like the 1999 romantic comedy classic, the
new movie centers on a bet between frenemies over whether a popular teen can turn an obstinate
outcast into the star of the school -- and, of course, the prom -- with their makeover
skills and pure moxie.
In "She's All That," it's Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Zack Siler who takes on the challenge of bringing
Rachael Leigh Cook's Laney Boggs out of her shell. And in "He's All That," Addison Rae
stars as Padgett Sawyer, an influencer who works to restore her reputation as a makeover
maestro by sprucing up Tanner Buchanan's Cameron Kweller.
"He's All That" certainly stands on its own, and you don't have to be a fan of "She's All
That" to enjoy it. However, there are a few key details sprinkled throughout the film
that will only make sense if you've seen its predecessor. Here's a look at what you're
likely to notice about "He's All That" if you've already watched "She's All That."
Naturally, there are a lot of similarities to be found between the characters of "She's
All That" and "He's All That." In both films, the bets are sparked by public humiliation
via longtime lovers, and both films feature unsuspecting and artistically inclined students
who are plucked from a crowd thanks to their antisocial demeanors.
"Gentlemen we have a winner."
But in addition to being gender-bent, there are a few other tweaks to the story that fans
of "She's All That" might notice. For one thing, Zack comes from a wealthy family, while
Padgett is the total opposite.
And while Laney is laser-focused on her hopeful future as an art student, Cameron is the one
who's directionless and shuns the idea of college.
Another major difference exists in the relationship between the kids and their parents. While
Zack is emotionally distant from and even resentful of his father, Padgett is incredibly
close to and deeply admires her mother. This time, it's Cameron who bears the burden of
both tragically losing his mom, like Laney did, and harboring anger towards his dad.
Another aspect of "He's All That" that's bound to ring familiar to "She's All That" fans
is the big prom dance scene that happens near the end of the film. Just like in "She's All
That," this moment marks an opportunity for the film's rivals to literally shake off their
grievances, face to face, in the best possible way: a dance off.
In the original movie, Zack is accidentally partnered with his ex, Taylor Vaughan, and
they square off with Laney and her date, who just so happens to be Zack's now-former best
friend, Dean Sampson. Dean created the bet and then exposed it to get close to Laney,
leaving Zach to take the fallout.
Meanwhile, in "He's All That," the major tension of the moment exists between Padgett and her
former friend, Alden, who's now arm-in-arm with Padgett's ex, Jordan. It's not jealousy
that makes this moment so loaded though. Like Dean, Alden has also spoiled Padgett's chance
to attend prom with Cameron by telling him about the bet at the most inopportune time possible.
And in "He's All That," there's a really fun inside joke to complement the dance off and
wink back to "She's All That," courtesy of "She's All That" alum Matthew Lillard.
"We have some weird ass traditions at this school."
Speaking of the principal, there's much more to his quirky stage dance than meets the eye.
In "She's All That," Matthew Lillard portrays Brock Hudson, a self-obsessed reality TV star.
"Well you know what, do me a favor. Why don't you all just stay out of my closet. God."
While Taylor initially thinks Brock is a total dreamboat and he gets a lot of attention from
other admirers, she eventually gets tired of his wacky antics. This really comes to
a head at a party, when Brock hears his favorite song and decides to turn the living room floor
into his personal dance studio. It's not clear whether Taylor is just sick of Brock being
the center of attention or if she's truly embarrassed by his goofy moves, but Brock
clearly thinks his routine is solid.
In "He's All That," if you look closely at the principal's little dance, he pulls out
the same moves as Brock. Even though his two characters couldn't be more different, his
shimmy style in the 2021 flick is a direct callback to Lillard's iconic moment in "She's All That."
Another unmistakable nod to "She's All That" also comes along during the big prom scene.
One of Laney Boggs' most memorable moments in the first film happens when she emerges
from her makeover and slowly walks down the stairs to reveal her new look to Zack. The
scene is accompanied by Sixpence None the Richer's "Kiss Me," which is forever tied to the film.
So when the tune is played in "He's All That," it's Rachael Leigh Cook's new character who calls it out.
"Well, I'm still here and...why do I know this song?"
Cook is playing an entirely different character than Laney Boggs here, of course, but the
line is a clever way to reference one of the actress' most unforgettable screen moments of all time.
Thanks for watching. Click the links in our video to watch more from Netflix Film Club.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get the latest exclusive videos. Plus hit the bell
so you don’t miss a single one.