In a nostalgic blast from the past, the iconic high school comedy “Mean Girls” (2024) is set to make a dazzling return to the big screen. Once again, it follows awkward new-student Cady Heron as she navigates the ruthless jungle of high school. 

The movie follows the same storyline, this time with a more modern edge, but features a new cast. After nearly two decades since the release of the cult classic, this remake captures the essence of the original, while addressing the challenges of current high school drama. 

Directed by Arturo Perez Jr. and Samantha Jayne, this movie delves into the complexities of social dynamics in the age of social media and heightened awareness of societal issues. 20 years later Tina Fey is, again, the creative force behind the amazing screenplay that reflects the evolving landscape of today's high schools.

Fey is the only known original cast member to be making an appearance in the new movie, she reprises her role as the witty Ms. Norbury, promising to deliver the same sharp humor that made the original a pop culture phenomenon. However, many fans don’t know that the incomparable Lindsay Lohan makes a surprise appearance as the moderator of the Illinois Mathletes competition between North Shore and Marymount. 

The narrative centers around Heron (played by Angourie Rice), a brilliant but introverted teenager navigating her way through the treacherous waters of senior year. The school’s notorious clique, the plastics, features wealthy but insecure Gretchen Wieners (Bebe Wood), sweet but dimwitted Karen Shetty–originally Karen Smith, but changed to account for the new actor’s South Asian identity–(Avantika Vandanapu), and queen bee Regina George (Renee Rapp). As she encounters the plastics, Heron must confront the challenges of fitting in while staying true to herself. 

Because the new movie is based on a Broadway musical that followed the plot of the original Mean Girls, the soundtrack is curated by its very own cast. Rapp is an American singer and songwriter, so her presence is heavy in a lot of the songs. At the end of the movie Rapp and notorious American rapper Megan Thee Stallion perform a song together called “Not My Fault.” 

Unlike the rigid cliques of the past, “Mean Girls” (2024) explores the blurred lines between traditional high school stereotypes. The film sheds light on issues like cyberbullying, body image, and inclusivity, weaving a narrative that resonates with the struggles faced by today's teenagers.