🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Ian Samuels
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 45min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (74K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 30%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A girl who catfishes a dude somehow ends up getting the dude, even though she’s objectively awful.
🍿 Sierra Burgess Is a Loser: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Mistaken Identity and Texting
Sierra Burgess, an intelligent but unconventional high school student, finds herself the recipient of mistaken texts from Jamey, a football player from a different school. Jamey believes he’s texting Veronica, a popular cheerleader, due to a prank by Veronica herself. Sierra, initially hesitant, decides to play along, leading to a virtual relationship based on witty banter and shared interests.

Collaboration and Deception
As the texting continues, Jamey expresses a desire to meet in person. Sierra, fearing rejection due to her appearance, enlists Veronica’s help. In exchange for tutoring to impress a college student, Veronica agrees to impersonate Sierra on dates with Jamey. This arrangement creates a complicated dynamic, with Veronica finding unexpected depth and friendship with Sierra.

Betrayal and Fallout
The deception unravels when Jamey kisses Veronica, believing her to be Sierra. Sierra, feeling betrayed, publicly humiliates Veronica. This act causes a rift between Sierra and Veronica, as well as jeopardizing her relationship with Jamey. The consequences of her actions force Sierra to confront her insecurities and the harm she’s caused.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Sierra Burgess (Shannon Purser): An intelligent but unpopular high school student who catfishes her crush.
- Jamey (Noah Centineo): A kind-hearted football player who becomes the victim of Sierra’s catfishing scheme.
- Veronica (Kristine Froseth): The popular cheerleader who initially helps Sierra but develops a complex friendship with her.
- Dan (RJ Cyler): Sierra’s supportive best friend who often provides her with moral guidance.
- Jules Osborn-Burgess (Lea Thompson): Sierra’s mother, who is supportive but adds to Sierra’s pressure by being a successful author.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Sierra: “You can’t just rely on your straight A’s.” – Sierra says this when Dan suggests she needs to embrace social media to get into an elite college, highlighting her old-fashioned approach.
- Jamey: “For the record, I think roses are the bitchy supermodels of flowers.” – Jamey says this while texting with Sierra, revealing his quirky personality and sparking a connection between them.
- Sierra: “I wanted him to see me, not a version of me.” – Sierra says this when she realizes the extent of her deception and the importance of being true to herself.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a cute, fluffy rom-com. While there were some sweet moments, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Sierra’s actions were…problematic. The whole catfishing thing made me super uncomfortable, and honestly, I was rooting for Veronica the whole time! She deserved so much better. I did enjoy the soundtrack though, and Noah Centineo is always a plus!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of teen romantic comedies”
- “Viewers interested in stories about self-acceptance”
- “Those who enjoy movies with themes of mistaken identity”
- “People who like Noah Centineo’s performances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Bullying”
- “Catfishing”
- “Awkward kissing scenes”
- “Teenage social dynamics”
- “Public humiliation”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “While the actors are great, and it maintains engagement, Sierra’s selfishness and lack of responsibility make it hard to root for her. The movie sends a harmful message that tricking someone into falling for you is okay. Veronica, however, is a true friend and deserves better.
- Netflix Fan Site: “A modern Cyrano de Bergerac for the digital age, ‘Sierra Burgess’ is a quirky teen rom-com that explores themes of identity and self-acceptance. While some find the catfishing problematic, others appreciate its take on high school dynamics and the pressures of fitting in.
Audience Reactions
Veronica’s character development was a highlight for many, showcasing kindness and compassion.: Viewers appreciate the acting but are divided on the storyline’s ethical implications.
Overall Consensus: Despite strong performances, the film’s central plot involving catfishing raises ethical concerns, overshadowing its positive messages of self-acceptance.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Sierra’s parents are played by actors who famously starred in ’80s films about teenage misfits: Lea Thompson in Back to the Future (1985) and Alan Ruck in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986).”
- “The film explores themes of self-acceptance and challenging conventional beauty standards in the age of social media.”
🖥️ How to Watch Sierra Burgess Is a Loser?
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser is currently available for streaming on Netflix. As a Netflix original, it’s exclusively available on their platform with a subscription. At this time, it is not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, or Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, you might like these similar films:
- Easy A (2010): Both films feature a protagonist who uses rumors and misrepresentation to navigate social dynamics and challenge high school stereotypes.
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018): Shares a similar target audience and explores teenage romance with a focus on character development and relatable experiences.
- The Duff (2015): Deals with similar themes of high school social hierarchy, self-discovery, and challenging labels.
- Mean Girls (2004): A classic high school movie, examining social dynamics and hierarchy, but with more of a comedic and satirical focus.
🛒 Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Related Products
- Sierra Burgess Is a Loser [Soundtrack]: Enjoy all the songs featured in the movie in one place. From emotional ballads to pump-up anthems. A digital download perfect for fans of the film’s music.
- Stranger Things: The First Shadow: The thrilling stage play that delves into the backstory of Hawkins, providing fans an interactive way to explore themes similar to the movie, like teenage struggles and unlikely friendships, with connections to ‘Stranger Things’ star Shannon Purser.
- John Hughes 5-Movie Collection: Relive the magic of classic teen movies, reminiscent of the John Hughes era, like ‘Sixteen Candles’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’, offering heartwarming and relatable stories of high school life. A collection of his best movies, available in HD.
- Sierra Burgess Is a Loser – Movie Poster: A high-quality poster featuring the film’s iconic imagery, perfect for decorating any teen movie lover’s room. The poster serves as a memorable memento of the film.
🎧 Soundtrack
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The movie centers on a case of mistaken identity that leads to an unexpected romance between Sierra Burgess, an intelligent high school student, and Jamey, a charming football player. Sierra catfishes Jamey, pretending to be a popular girl, which results in complicated relationships and personal growth.
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser was filmed in Los Angeles, California.
Sierra is a complex character. Some viewers find her relatable due to her insecurities and intelligence, while others criticize her actions, particularly the catfishing and public humiliation of Veronica. Whether she’s sympathetic is subjective and depends on the viewer’s perspective.
🔥 Bonus Content
SIERRA BURGESS Is A Stupid Movie About A Terrible Person | Cynical Reviews
Ever wondered if Sierra Burgess is actually the villain of her own story? This cynical review dives deep into why the movie might be problematic and whether Sierra is really a terrible person. Honestly, it’s hard to disagree after watching this!
SIERRA BURGESS IS A MANIPULATIVE SOCIOPATH
Want to watch Sierra Burgess in a new light? This audio commentary argues that Sierra is actually a manipulative sociopath. It’s a wild take, but they make some pretty convincing arguments that you need to hear to believe!
Marvel’s Runaways is the weirdest show…
Think Sierra Burgess is a bit ridiculous? This animated review hilariously breaks down all the dumbest parts of the movie. Trust me, you’ll be laughing (and maybe cringing) the whole time!
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