Can a classic story still resonate with new audiences? Netflix is hoping lightning strikes again with “He’s All That.” The film, an update of the original ‘90s teen rom-com “She’s All That,” is intent on walking the fine line between nostalgia and modern trends. Social media phenom Addison Rae makes her feature debut in the role of Padgett Sawyer. “Cobra Kai” and “Designated Survivor” actor Tanner Buchanan co-stars as Cameron Kweller. Notable among the cast is Rachael Leigh Cook; the original ‘She’s All That’ star does not return as her character Laney Boggs, instead taking on a new role with close connections to Rae’s Sawyer.
Director Mark Waters comes to the project with a distinct knowledge of the genre. His work extends well past the popular film “Mean Girls,” having helmed titles like “Vampire Academy” and “Bad Santa 2.” ‘That’ finds yet another connection to the original film with screenwriter R. Lee Fleming, Jr. The writer behind “She’s All That” crafts a film that fits into today’s themes without forgetting what audiences loved about the original. With credits going back to “One Tree Hill,” Fleming Jr. is at home crafting generational stories.
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Here’s the film’s synopsis:
In this reimagining of 1999’s “She’s All That,” Padgett (Tik Tok star Addison Rae) has mastered her perfect high school life: She’s a popular beauty influencer with a huge following, and her hot pop star boyfriend makes her the envy of everyone on her feed. But after she catches him cheating while livestreaming, she goes viral for all the wrong reasons. To repair her reputation, Padgett makes a risky bet that she can turn her scruffy antisocial classmate Cameron (Cobra Kai’s Tanner Buchanan) into prom king material. Things get complicated when she finds herself falling for him IRL—and learning no one is quite who they seem on social media, least of all herself.
Matthew Lillard, Peyton Meyer, Isabella Crovetti, Myra Molloy, and Annie Jacob also star in “He’s All That.” The film premieres on August 27 on Netflix. Watch the film’s newest trailer below.