🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Laura Terruso
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Music
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (17K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Girl lies to get into Duke, then starts a dance crew to prove she can dance, even though she can’t, but then she can, because…movie magic!
🍿 Work It: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The College Dream
Quinn Ackerman dreams of attending Duke University, inspired by her late father’s legacy. During a college admissions interview, she impulsively claims to be part of the ‘Thunderbirds,’ the school’s renowned dance team, despite having zero dance experience. This lie sets off a chain of events that will drastically change her life.

Building a Dance Crew
Determined to make her lie a reality, Quinn enlists the help of her best friend, Jasmine, a talented dancer. Together, they form their own dance crew, recruiting a diverse group of misfits who, like Quinn, lack formal dance training. They seek guidance from Jake, a former dancer sidelined by an injury.

Training Montage and Romantic Interests
The newly formed crew undergoes rigorous training, facing numerous challenges and comedic mishaps. Quinn and Jake develop a romantic connection as they work together. She learns the value of true passion over resume-padding. Quinn begins to find her place not through Duke, but through the dance crew.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Quinn Ackerman (Sabrina Carpenter): A determined high school senior who creates a dance team to improve her chances of getting into her dream college.
- Jasmine Hale (Liza Koshy): Quinn’s quirky and supportive best friend who helps her form and train the dance team.
- Charlie (Drew Ray Tanner): A talented dancer who becomes Quinn’s love interest and helps her improve her dance skills.
- Julliard Pembroke (Keiynan Lonsdale): The arrogant and competitive leader of the Thunderbirds, the school’s best dance team, who serves as the main antagonist.
- Maria Ackerman (Naomi Snieckus): Quinn’s supportive but demanding mother who wants her daughter to succeed academically.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Quinn: “I’m going to start a dance team.” – Quinn makes this declaration after realizing she needs to impress Duke University, despite having no dance experience.
- Jasmine: “You wanna be good at something? Work it.” – Jasmine gives Quinn a pep talk, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication to improve.
- Quinn: “Sometimes you gotta fake it ’til you make it.” – Quinn’s motto as she navigates the dance world, pretending to be more experienced than she is.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Work It Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched this movie expecting a cheesy dance flick, and honestly, that’s exactly what I got! It wasn’t groundbreaking cinema, but it was fun and had some great moments. I especially loved the training montages – they were super energetic and made me want to get up and dance (even though I’m terrible at it!). The ending was predictable, but still satisfying. Definitely a good movie to watch with friends for a lighthearted evening.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Teenagers”
- “Fans of dance movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted comedies”
- “Sabrina Carpenter fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Suggestive dance moves”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “A light, predictable dance movie with a charming cast. The story is basic, but the energetic performances and positive message about finding your passion make it an enjoyable watch. It’s a feel-good film that’s perfect for a casual movie night.
- IndieWire: “Despite some energetic dance sequences, ‘Work It’ struggles with a predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. While Sabrina Carpenter delivers a committed performance, the film lacks originality and depth, making it a forgettable addition to the teen dance movie genre.
Audience Reactions
Sabrina Carpenter’s performance was a highlight, bringing charm and humor to the lead role.: Many viewers found the movie to be a fun, lighthearted, and entertaining watch, perfect for a casual movie night.
The soundtrack and dance sequences were praised for their energy and catchiness.: Despite some criticism about the predictable plot, the overall consensus is that ‘Work It’ is an enjoyable movie for fans of the dance genre.
Overall Consensus: A fun, predictable, and lighthearted dance movie with a great soundtrack and energetic performances, perfect for a casual viewing.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie features a playlist of songs by artists like Dua Lipa and Meghan Trainor, which are also part of the movie’s soundtrack.”
- “The film was shot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.”
🖥️ How to Watch Work It?
Work It is a Netflix original movie, so it’s exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it is not typically available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. A Netflix subscription is required to view the film.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Work It, you might like these similar films:
- Bring It On (2000): Features competitive cheerleading with high-energy performances and a similar underdog story.
- Step Up (2006): Explores the world of dance with characters from different backgrounds coming together.
- Pitch Perfect (2012): Features a group of misfits competing in a music competition.
🛒 Work It Related Products
- Work It (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Enjoy all the hit songs from the movie, featuring artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Static & Ben El Tavori, and more. Perfect for reliving your favorite dance scenes!
- Sabrina Carpenter – Emails I Can’t Send Fwd: Album: The latest album from Work It star Sabrina Carpenter! Includes hit singles.
- Dance Mat Non-Slip Dancing Step Pad Sense Game: Dance to your favorite Work It songs with this fun and interactive dance mat. Get active and improve your rhythm skills!
- Dance Flick [Blu-ray]: If you love dance movies and comedy this is the ultimate movie! .
🎧 Soundtrack
Work It features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Let Me Move You” – performed by Sabrina Carpenter
- “Further Up (Na, Na, Na, Na, Na)” – performed by Static & Ben El Tavori feat. Pitbull
- “Baby, Baby” – performed by Tropkillaz
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Work It was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Many scenes showcase the city’s diverse urban landscapes.
As of now, there hasn’t been an official announcement regarding a sequel to Work It. The success of the film may influence future decisions by Netflix.
The choreography for Work It was done by Aakomon Jones.
🔥 Bonus Content
Quinn And Jake | Señorita (Work It)
Obsessed with Quinn and Jake’s chemistry in Work It? This fan-made music video set to ‘Señorita’ perfectly captures their romance. Honestly, it’s so well-edited, I think it’s even better than some official music videos!
Jake and Quinn | WOW | Work It
Can’t get enough of Jake and Quinn? This music video edit uses ‘WOW’ and highlights their most adorable moments. Trust me, it’s the perfect way to relive their cutest interactions!
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