By Keith Lokmagozyan & Mia Mendez

In 2004, “Mean Girls” took the world by storm, offering a satirical look at high school that resonated with an entire generation of teenagers. As the 20th anniversary of this iconic film approaches, we have to wonder whether it still has relevance in today’s society.   

“Mean Girls,” set in a typical American high school, both embraces and satirizes every classic teenage trope. The main character Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) is a kind but naive new girl who befriends mean girl Regina George (Rachel McAdams). Regina is calculated with her snappy comebacks and is the leader of her pack and the school. Cliques and social groups have been and always will be an essential part of the high school experience, but the movie shows that girl cliques are by far the most brutal groups. It’s just a movie, of course, but we’ve all heard the saying “Life imitates art.” 

The film introduces us to various school cliques such as the jocks, punks, nerds, and preps, with a map of the cafeteria narrated by Janice (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese). Although most of these cliques are written for entertainment purposes, it is still commonly known that high schoolers tend to flock together. However, cliques today are not so easy to see anymore. The landscape of high school has become more diverse and nuanced, reflecting that the world isn’t the same as it was 20 years ago when “Mean Girls” came out.

Watching “Mean Girls” today, it is hard to ignore the not-so-subtle sexism and racist humor, often cringing audiences. Although the movie has given pop culture iconic memes and quotes that we will never forget, it just can’t be looked at the same anymore. The relatability of the movie has waned in the context of 2023. For example, in the past 20 years, casual racism is no longer accepted. 

For those who just can’t part with the “Mean Girls” era of the 2000s, look forward to the “Mean Girls” reunion movie coming out on January 12, 2024. The new movie, directed by Samantha Jayne, will star original cast members such as Tina Fey as Ms. Norbury and Tim Meadows as Principal Duvall. The movie follows the same premise with new actors aiming at a more musical and modern take on the original satire. Tina Fey wrote the screenplay for both “Mean Girls” and the sequel, so it should have the same feel as the original. 

When looking back at 2000s cinema overall, the movies share certain similarities that make us cringe today. However, it is undoubtedly still a classic, and its legacy and the impact it has on pop culture will continue to live on.