🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Miguel Arteta
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (77K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A nerdy teen creates a mustachioed French alter ego to woo a girl obsessed with French culture, leading to arson, cross-dressing, and surprisingly few croissants.
🍿 Youth in Revolt: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Meeting Sheeni
Nick Twisp, a quirky and intellectual 16-year-old virgin living in Oakland with his dysfunctional family, meets Sheeni Saunders while on a family vacation at a trailer park. He instantly falls for her and they bond over their shared interests in foreign films and literature. Sheeni, however, has a boyfriend named Trent.

Creating Francois Dillinger
Determined to win Sheeni’s heart, Nick creates an alter ego named Francois Dillinger, a rebellious and confident bad boy who encourages him to take risks and commit acts of rebellion. Francois helps Nick break out of his shell and pursue Sheeni more aggressively.

Rampage and Consequences
Under the influence of Francois, Nick commits increasingly outrageous acts, including arson and property damage, in an attempt to impress Sheeni and get closer to her. His actions lead to run-ins with the law and create chaos in his life, ultimately forcing him to make difficult choices.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nick Twisp (Michael Cera): A nerdy and intellectual teenager who creates a rebellious alter ego to win the affections of his dream girl.
- Francois Dillinger (Michael Cera): Nick Twisp’s confident and mischievous alter ego, enabling him to commit rebellious acts.
- Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday): A free-spirited and intellectual girl who captures Nick’s heart and inspires his rebellious behavior.
- Estelle Twisp (Jean Smart): Nick’s promiscuous and somewhat neglectful mother, who contributes to his dysfunctional family life.
- Jerry (Zach Galifianakis): Estelle’s often clueless and irresponsible boyfriend.
- George Twisp (Steve Buscemi): Nick’s vulgar father.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Nick Twisp: “Sheeni, you’re the girl of my dreams. Except I’ve never actually dreamt about you, probably because you’re too real to exist in something as stupid as a dream.” – Nick delivers this somewhat awkward yet heartfelt line during his initial pursuit of Sheeni.
- François Dillinger: “Je m’appelle François. I am the bad boy in Nick’s heart. It’s my job to unleash the inner beast.” – François introduces himself as Nick’s alter ego, embodying his rebellious side.
- Nick Twisp: “Sometimes I wish I could fast-forward through my life, just to see if it’s worth it.” – Nick expresses his impatience and dissatisfaction with his current life, highlighting his desire for something more.
- George Twisp: “It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up.” – George Twisp imparts a piece of questionable advice to Nick.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $18 million
- Domestic Gross: $15.3 million
- Worldwide Gross: $19.6 million
💥 Youth in Revolt Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I went into this expecting another awkward Michael Cera movie, but “Youth in Revolt” genuinely surprised me. I loved how over-the-top it got, especially with the alter ego Francois! It felt like a teenage fever dream in the best way possible. Seeing Nick trying to be bad, but failing hilariously, had me laughing out loud. The animated sequences were a fun touch, and the soundtrack was awesome. Would definitely watch again!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Michael Cera’s awkward comedy style”
- “Viewers who enjoy quirky coming-of-age stories”
- “Those interested in films with dark humor and a touch of rebellion”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Sexual content and references”
- “Drug use”
- “Arson and property destruction”
Professional Reviews
- Indiewire: ““Youth in Revolt” offers a refreshing spin on the coming-of-age story. Cera is great and the cast are great. The movie is funny.
- Moviemusereviews.com: ““Youth in Revolt” is an explicit teen Rated-R comedy, but not a raunchy one. Much respect to The Weinstein Co. and Dimension Films for not trying to taper back for a PG-13.
- N/A: “The film is filled to the brim with witticisms that I feared would fall flat with Cera’s non-dimensional acting; I was surprised. He managed to avoid turning sexual situations into awkward moments, and the brilliantly written screen play kept the pace fast and…well, hilarious.
Audience Reactions
Michael Cera’s performance as both Nick and Francois was amazing: Viewers loved the quirky humor and unique story.
The supporting cast was awesome, especially Ray Liotta: The movie is funny for teens and adults
Overall Consensus: Quirky and funny, ‘Youth in Revolt’ is a coming-of-age story with a unique twist.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Michael Cera was initially considered for the role of Nick Twisp, but Justin Long was eventually cast.”
- “The film is based on the popular novel of the same name by C.D. Payne.”
- “Portions of the movie were filmed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to capture the feel of the book’s setting.”
- “The soundtrack features a blend of indie and alternative rock, reflecting the protagonist’s eclectic taste.”
🖥️ How to Watch Youth in Revolt?
Youth in Revolt is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Youth in Revolt, you might like these similar films:
- Rushmore (1998): Both films feature quirky, precocious protagonists with unconventional romantic pursuits.
- Submarine (2010): A coming-of-age story with a similarly sardonic and introspective teenage protagonist dealing with love and identity.
- Igby Goes Down (2002): Features a similarly disaffected and rebellious teenage character navigating family dysfunction and self-discovery.
- The Graduate (1967): An era-specific film depicting youthful rebellion and romantic entanglement with older women.
🛒 Youth in Revolt Related Products
- Youth in Revolt (C.D. Payne Series): The original books that inspired the movie. Explore the full story and adventures of Nick Twisp. A hilarious and irreverent series for fans of the film and new readers alike.
- Serge Gainsbourg – Histoire De Melody Nelson: Inspired by the movie, just like Sheeni.
- Jean-Luc Godard – Pierrot le Fou: Inspired by the movie, this film is Sheeni’s favorite.
- Youth In Revolt [Blu-ray]: Own the movie and relive the magic of Nick Twisp’s crazy summer. Special features include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and cast interviews.
🎧 Soundtrack
Youth in Revolt 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
Yes, Youth in Revolt is based on the first book of the same name in the ‘Youth in Revolt’ series by C.D. Payne.
Michael Cera plays Nick Twisp, as well as his alter ego, Francois Dillinger.
Youth in Revolt is rated R for language and sexual content, making it unsuitable for children. It is generally recommended for mature teens and adults.
🔥 Bonus Content
HOW TO BE BAD!!! “Youth in Revolt” PARODY
Ever wondered how to embrace your inner rebel like Francois in ‘Youth in Revolt’? This hilarious parody nails it! It’s a fun, quirky take that might just inspire you to break a few rules (or at least laugh about it).
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