Barely Lethal Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A highly trained teenage assassin fakes her death to experience high school, only to find that dodging algebra is harder than dodging bullets, and prom dates are scarier than international arms dealers.

🍿 Barely Lethal: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Assassin’s Dream

Megan Walsh, also known as Agent 83, is a highly skilled teenage assassin trained at Prescott Academy, a school for orphaned girls. Despite her lethal abilities, Megan yearns for a ‘normal’ teenage life, inspired by the teen movies and magazines she secretly devours. She longs to experience the everyday dramas and social interactions of a typical high school.

Faking Death and Enrolling in High School

During a mission to capture arms dealer Victoria Knox, Megan seizes the opportunity to fake her own death. She then enrolls in a suburban high school as an exchange student from Canada, taking on the identity of ‘Megan Walsh.’ She’s placed with the Larson family, where she navigates the challenges of fitting in with her foster mother and siblings.

High School Hijinks

Megan’s attempt to assimilate into high school life leads to a series of comedic mishaps. She struggles to understand social cues, fashion trends, and the complex dynamics of teenage relationships. She makes friends with the nerdy Roger, attracts the attention of the popular Cash, and deals with the mean girls who make her life difficult.

Past Catches Up

Megan’s past eventually catches up to her as Victoria Knox escapes captivity and seeks revenge. Meanwhile, Heather, another assassin from Prescott Academy, also enters the picture with her own agenda. Megan must use her skills to protect her new family and confront her former life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Megan Walsh (Hailee Steinfeld): A teenage assassin known as Agent 83 who fakes her death to experience a normal high school life.
• Hardman (Samuel L. Jackson): The leader of Prescott Academy, who trains young girls to be assassins and acts as a reluctant father figure to Megan.
• Victoria Knox (Jessica Alba): A former Prescott Academy assassin turned arms dealer who seeks revenge on Megan and the organization.
• Heather (Sophie Turner): A fellow assassin and rival to Megan, who betrays Prescott Academy to join forces with Victoria Knox.
• Liz Larson (Dove Cameron): Megan’s initially cold and sarcastic foster sister who eventually becomes her close friend and ally.
• Roger Marcus (Thomas Mann): A geeky and kind-hearted high school student who befriends Megan and harbors a romantic interest in her.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Megan Walsh: “She better bring fire! She better bring thunder! She better bring hell! Just tell her to bring it before 10:30, I’ve got a curfew.” – Megan says this when challenged by her nemesis, highlighting her assassin training mixed with teenage restrictions.
• Victoria Knox: “Prescott destroys lives, and she’s not just talking about the targets.” – Knox reveals her jaded perspective on the program that trained her, hinting at the dark side of Prescott Academy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,075
• Worldwide Gross: $933,847

💥 Barely Lethal Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a cheesy teen flick, and I was NOT disappointed! Hailee Steinfeld is so charming as the assassin trying to figure out high school. The prom scene was hilarious, and the fight scenes, while not super intense, were fun. I especially loved the soundtrack – it really added to the movie’s vibe. It’s the perfect movie for a girls’ night!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of teen comedies with a twist”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action-comedy films”
  • “Those who appreciate movies with strong female leads”
  • “Fans of Hailee Steinfeld, Sophie Turner, Jessica Alba, or Samuel L. Jackson”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence”
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Teenage partying and alcohol use”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Barely Lethal is a fun, lightweight action comedy with a great cast. Hailee Steinfeld shines as the assassin turned high schooler. While the plot is predictable, the film is entertaining and engaging. Don’t expect a masterpiece, but do expect a fun watch.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the cast brings energy and charm to their roles, Barely Lethal suffers from a predictable plot and uneven tone. It’s a passable teen comedy with action elements, but it fails to fully capitalize on its unique premise and squanders its potential.
• Common Sense Media: “This action-comedy has solid female role models who are empowered, smart, and loyal to their friends. Teens might enjoy the movie’s messages about trying new things and valuing the people in your life. Jessica Alba is also fun to watch.

Audience Reactions

Hailee Steinfeld’s performance as the fish-out-of-water assassin was excellent.: Many viewers praised the movie for its lighthearted humor and the blend of action and teen comedy elements.

The soundtrack was awesome and totally added to the movie’s vibe.: People loved the soundtrack, especially how well it fit the scenes.

Overall Consensus: Barely Lethal is a lighthearted action-comedy aimed at a teen audience. While it’s not groundbreaking, it’s a fun and entertaining watch, particularly for fans of Hailee Steinfeld and the teen comedy genre.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally rated R, but the filmmakers appealed without having to cut or edit any scenes to achieve a lower rating.”
• “The film combines elements of teen comedies with action and spy genres, aiming for a blend of humor and excitement.”
• “Hailee Steinfeld’s casting was praised by some for bringing likability to the lead role, though some found her unconvincing as a highly trained assassin.”

🖥️ How to Watch Barely Lethal?

As of today, you can stream ‘Barely Lethal’ on various platforms depending on your region. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Tubi for streaming options. It’s also available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Google Play Movies, Vudu, and YouTube. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may be available at major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Barely Lethal, you might like these similar films:

• So Undercover (2012): Shares a similar premise of a young woman going undercover in a high school setting.
• Kick-Ass (2010): Features a blend of high school life with over-the-top action and violence, appealing to a similar audience.
• Mean Girls (2004): Explores the cutthroat social dynamics of high school, a key element in Barely Lethal’s plot.
• Spy Kids (2001): Presents a lighthearted take on the spy genre with teenage protagonists, suitable for a younger audience.

🛒 Barely Lethal Related Products

• Barely Lethal [Blu-ray]: The Blu-ray edition includes behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast, and deleted scenes, offering a deeper dive into the making of the movie.
• Assassination Classroom: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: An anime series about a class training to assassinate their teacher, an interesting parallel.
• High School Dance [Original Soundtrack]: The catchy music from the movie is available for download, allowing fans to relive their favorite scenes and moments.
• Funko Pop! Samuel L. Jackson: A Funko Pop collectible featuring the one and only Samuel L. Jackson to make your home decor a bit more fun.

🎧 Soundtrack

Barely Lethal features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You Don’t Know Me” – performed by The Rumor Mill featuring Chetti
• “High School” – performed by Nikki Williams

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Dove Cameron Talks to Us About “Barely Lethal” 10 Days of Dove, Day 3

Ever wonder what it’s like for a Disney Channel star to work on a movie like Barely Lethal? Dove Cameron spills the beans on her experiences with Hailee Steinfeld and the rest of the cast – super interesting to hear her perspective!

Barely Lethal: Hailee Steinfeld, Sophie Turner, & Dove Cameron Exclusive Interview | ScreenSlam

Want to hear Hailee Steinfeld, Sophie Turner, and Dove Cameron chat about their experience filming Barely Lethal? This interview is a must-watch for any fan – it’s cool to see them interact and talk about the movie!

Barely Lethal (2015) Cast Then And Now #shorts #ytshorts #movie

Curious about what the cast of Barely Lethal looks like now? This short video quickly shows you the actors then and now. It’s kind of wild to see how much they’ve changed!

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