How to Lose a Popularity Contest (2026) Movie Script

[guy] Max. Max!
Max!
[]
The first thing you need to know about me
is my name is Ellie...
Not Max.
Ellie.
The second thing you need to know
is that everything that is about to happen
is entirely the fault
of this emotionally-stunted monster, Nate,
and his brain-dead sidekick, Streaker.
[teacher] Despite my protests,
the school board requires
that I pass out the
following sanitary products.
[Ellie] It all started in sixth-grade...
Sex Ed...
Just your average birds, bees,
and lifetime of emotional trauma.
Charlie, really?
[buddies snickering]
Now I am required to take questions.
This does not mean you have to have any.
Yes, Ellie.
How long should I wear a
tampon on a normal flow day?
[kids snickering]
My dad says you need to have boobs
before you get your period!
[laughing]
Thanks for contributing, Charlie.
Uh, technically, you can wear
a tampon up to eight hours,
but four to six...
Got it, thanks.
Thanks, Sally. That was helpful.
I have a little sister,
so it's important I learn about periods
and other girl stuff.
Oh, you're welcome, Rowan.
[thud]
-Oops.
[dreamy instrumental rises]
Hey.
[heartbeat thumping]
[Ellie] Nate Reed
look at him.
[heartbeat thumping as music swirls]
This yours?
Thanks, Nate.
The cutest boy in school.
He's so-o-o perfect... right?
[squish-splat]
-Wrong.
[chortling] Oh, my God!
Ellie got her period!
[class laughing]
-What?
Charlie!
Principal's office, now.
But it's true! Look at her pants.
No, it's not. I don't even get my...
[laughing]
Hey
don't forget this...
"Max..." you might need it.
Yeah. "Max!"
Max! Max![Kids joining]
[teacher] All right, that's enough!
-That's enough.
-[Students] Max! Max!
Max! Max! Max!
[Ellie] Yep, that's me.
"Max"... as in "Maxi Pad"...
A nickname that would
stick for the rest of my life.
[boff]
That's my girlfriend. [Chuckling]
You're out, Max!
[Nate snickers]
Ellie!
[Ellie] That's my Rowan.
Not all guys act like zoo animals.
[school bell rings]
[Ellie] I am counting
down the days, Rowan...
Literally counting them.
[Rowan] Okay. I mean,
not actually "literally,"
though, right?
Well, with the 27 days left in junior year
and the 181 days in senior year,
that brings us to 208 days total,
but with real illness, fake illness,
and some much-needed mental health days,
I can knock it down to an even 200.
Okay. Literally, then.
I couldn't do it without you.
Oh.[Smooch]
Oh, look.
A popularity contest
you can actually put on a resume.
You know, if student elections
were based off of merit alone,
you would be Student
Body President next year.
Oh, okay.
You know, I actually kind
of was thinking about...
Do you know what? Hold that thought.
[groovy theme rises]
Vice-Principal Everdeen! [Chuckles]
So fancy seeing you here in your... office.
Miss Pearse.
As you know,
it is my lifelong dream to
attend an Ivy League school,
and while acceptance rates
hover between 3 and 8%,
students who attend the
PCLA Summer STEM program
are 10 times more likely to get accepted,
so it is absolutely crucial
that I attend their engineering
program this summer,
and nothing will strengthen
my application more
than a glowing letter of recommendation
from my favorite mid-level administrator!
Ellie...
-I've already
taken the initiative of writing
that letter on your behalf...
-Ellie.
- So, really,
all you have to do is sign it.
-Ellie!
[file slaps down]
-[zip]
You know I like you,
and I spoke with Mr. Beardsley,
and he said you are a
computer-science wizard!
Thank you!
But he also said
that you do all of your
group projects alone
because you don't trust the other students.
Do you know what "PCLA" stands for?
"Pre-College Leadership Academy."
"Leadership," Ellie.
And from what I've heard,
you're a brilliant student,
but you're not a leader.
Uh...
How did that go?
Great. Perfect.
Yeah? Even the last part
that was still according to plan?
It's always according to plan, Row, always.
[Rowan] Okay. Right. "Always."
-He-e-e-ey!
-Yo, yo!
[hands slapping]
[both grunting]
[all chuckling]
Ellie Pearse...
Beautiful soul, heart of my heart.
[Ellie] And these are my day-ones,
Aja and Lauren.
How are you?
I've been worse,
but that speaks less
to the quality of my day
and more to how terrible
my life's been to date.
Oh.
Ellie, what in the name
of anal over-planning
is this app you just sent me?
I built us a shared calendar!
-Like, G-Cal or...
-Oh, way better.
I mean, how else are we gonna
schedule our Friday night quest?
It has "Friday night" in the name.
I'll download it right now.
Thank you.
Yo, send me that homework!
Uh, excuse me, the back of the line
is right here.
-Sorry, Max.
Got a pass to cut the line.
Important baseball meeting.
Okay, you're not even on the baseball team,
and don't call me...
Boom! I have got so much
booze for this weekend!
For real? How'd you score it?
Easy. My dad's going
through this whole, like,
low-functioning alcoholic phase
ever since the Feds raided his company!
Nice, bro!
But we need enough
vodka to fill a fish tank.
Bro, his stash could fill
a whole-ass aquarium!
[laughing]
-Hey, Denise.
-Hey.
Got something for me today?
Uh-huh.
Hot pepperoni.
Ah! Naughty, naughty.
Long line today? [Snickers]
Guys, this is so unfair.
Oh, come on, Ellie. It's just pizza.
It's not the pizza... it's the principle.
I mean, they get pizza, and we get
[splat] ...this.
Honestly, it's so frustrating.
We live in a world where those two boys,
whose combined GPA is
still a point lower than mine,
are gonna be more
successful than any of us.
Hey, that depends what
you consider success.
Well, Streaker's dad's a billionaire.
And Nate's so hot he's
Lauren's only straight hall pass.
Oh, baby, you remembered!
Mm!
[smooch]
So... do you have some version of success
that doesn't include
being beautiful, rich, and popular?
[]
[Ellie] Oh, and this is Quinn.
She's a senior,
and brilliant,
but for some insane reason,
she's dating the biggest
idiot in our junior class...
[record scratches]
Stop, stop!
[laughs]
-Hi, Nate.
-Hi.
Hey, Streaker.
Hello, Quinnathan.
You have something on your face.
I just don't know what Quinn sees in him.
Seriously...
She's Harvard-accepted, and she got
[in unison] a perfect score on her SAT!
We've heard the speech a hundred times.
[whiny] "Nate sucks.
Why do people like him?"
Blah, blah, blah.
[Nate] So, Streaker has tons of vodka,
and we want to fill his aquarium,
but now it's like, what
do we do with the fish?
Just Google what kind
of water the fish need,
and then put them
in one of Streaker's
eight full-size bathtubs.
Ho-ho! Damn.
My girl bad as hell.
A brain full of thoughts
and a booty full of squats.
Gotta go. Student government meeting.
What?
You already got accepted into Harvard.
Why do you still care about all that?
About the student
government I'm president of?
What, you want me to spend
more time with Streaker,
see who can eat the most crackers?
[muffled] Ha! Nate, I just got 10! 10!
10's the best yet!
Dude, not now.
Nate, I gotta go.
[]
[Nate] Okay, dick brain.
Gimme those crackers!
'Kay, bro. I got 10.
Yeah, I'll get 11.
Okay. Ready?
-One...
-One.
Two... three
four...[laughing]
Incredible, actually.
You guys are all obsessed with her.
[Rowan chuckles]
Oh! Okay, guys, wait.
-Oh.
-All right, so...
I have this idea,
and I-I know it's kind of crazy for me,
but I've been thinking...
[Nate] Yo, Max!
[]
You forgot your Lord of the Rings.
It's not Lord of the Rings,
it's a tabletop RPG, and...
[Nate] Whatever!
[fumes] ...stop calling me Max.
You know what I love about you?
You call me Ellie... my name.
That's how low the bar is, huh?
[]
As you approach the old man,
he flashes you a smile.
Uh, what kind of a smile?
Roll a "perception check".
Wait, I want to play the old man!
What? No.
-What-what-what? Why not?
-Uh, 16.
'Cause that's not how the game works.
The DM controls the NPCs.
Who cares how the game
works? I have a fun "old man" voice.
[croaking] I... be finding trouble.
[laughing]
Guys, it's against the rules, okay?
Plus, I already prepped the character.
Hey, you want to play Minecraft after this?
I-I'm sorry. My mom made me uninstall it.
She says I'm too addicted.
Damn.
What are you gonna do
with all your new free time?
[deep breath, chuckle] Okay. Uh
there's something that
I've been wanting to do
for a really long time.
I just...
I never had the courage to do it until now.
I am loving this bravery.
What-What is it?
I'm going to r...
"DM" Stands for Dungeon Master, okay?
Not Dungeon Servant!
Fine... you win!
Sorry for wanting to have fun.
Well, it's not fun if it ruins
the game for everyone else.
[claps hands]
-[exhales with resolve]
Let's continue.
What? Wait.
Before we get back into it,
Rowan
you said you had some big announcement?
Really? You do?
Oh, um...
Yeah.
Yeah, uh...
I've decided
I'm running for Student Body President.
-[gasping] Oh!
-Oh! What?
That's crazy.
No, it's not.
Yes, it is.
Okay, maybe it is a little,
but I'm-I'm doing it anyway.
I'm gonna take a chance.
Well, it's not really taking a chance
if you know you're gonna lose.
And...
I'm-I'm not saying it's your fault, okay?
It's just, you know how these things are.
People like Quinn win...
Popular kids, who everyone cares about.
So not... like me.
Not like us.
Look, Student Body President
is a leadership position, Rowan,
and you're not a leader,
and if you put a target on your back,
these kids are gonna eat you alive!
Smashing blindly into
the cruel inevitability
of social Darwinism is not brave, okay?
It's stupid.
Uh...
I made it awkward.
I definitely made it awkward.
Okay, you know what?
Let's-Let's just continue, okay?
Ahem.
[as "old man"] Cora, the
blacksmith holds the answ...
I don't think I can do this anymore.
You can't quit mid-quest, Row.
That's not what I mean... Ellie.
I'm done.
[chair scrapes floor]
No, Rowan. What?
I'm sorry,
but I'm really done.
[]
[]
[aquarium pump bubbling]
[dance music thumping] -[party raging]
Cheers, baby!
One look you'll hypnotize
Baby, I can tell
I'm runnin' through your mind
And now's your only chance
You're runnin' out of time
So catch me if you can...
Yo! You guys won't believe
what I just got dared to do.
-Maybe I will.
-Reggie was, like,
"Are you gonna get naked
at this party again, bro?"
And I was, like, "Is that a dare, bro?"
And he was, like, "Not really, bro,"
but his face... was like, "Yeah, bro."
So now I have to.
No, you definitely don't have to.
I know, right? It's so unfair.
Like, why me?
But... if the people demand it!
[roars] The people demand it!
I can make you melt
One look you'll hypnotize...
Aren't you a little tired of this?
Of parties?
No, this... it's so high school!
But this is high school.
Forget it.
Catch me if you can
In summertime
I can make you melt
One look you'll
[door opens] [muffled music thumping]
You hooked up with some college dude
at orientation, didn't you?
-That's what you think this is?
-Yeah, I do!
Or I don't know!
You've been acting so
weird since you got back.
I don't want to do this here.
Do what here?
What kind of water did you use?
Uh... bathwater.
Jesus, Nate, they're dead!
Look. Streaker filled the tub, okay?
I told you to Google!
If this is about the fish...
-No, it's not about the fish!
-Then what the hell's going on?
I said I don't want to do this here.
Do what here?
Break up with you.
What?
Why?
The fact that you don't know why
is why.
Since we started dating, I
became Student President,
Captain of the debate team, Valedictorian.
What about you, Nate?
What have you done since freshman year?
I'm the star of the baseball team.
Yeah, but that comes easy to you.
What about the stuff that doesn't?
Like classes and grades?
So you're breaking up with me
'cause I'm too stupid
to get straight "A" s?
You're not "too stupid" for anything,
you just don't push yourself,
and I can't be with somebody
who refuses to grow up and get serious.
[]
Briar Ferngates... roll on D20.
Ellie, we don't have to do this.
Please don't break character.
It's against the rules.
[footsteps]
Hey...!
How are things down in the dungeon?
[overlapping] Hey, Mr. Pearse.
Hey, kids. Who's winnin'?
Dad... no one's winning.
It's a collaborative storytelling game.
All right, fair enough.
Uh, hey, did Rowan leave early?
I hate to interrupt the adventure.
I just know how much he
loves my pumpkin muffins.
Is-Is everything okay down here, or...?
Yeah.
Great. I-I love tonight.
[]
You know what?
I think you two could use a ride home.
-Yeah.
-No.
No one's leaving yet.
Actually...
-[yawning dramatically] Oh!
It's getting really late!
Okay.
Yeah. Just go.
If that's what you all are dying to do
just leave.
[]
No?
Then I'll leave.
I'm gonna leave,
and this is me leaving!
-I'm the one going.
-Ell.
[huffs] Goodbye.
[bell dinging]
[bustling chatter and din
over indistinct diner music]
Picking up a calzone for Nate?
Grazie.
Mm!
[munching loudly] Mm.
[lips smacking]
Do you mind?
Leave me alone, Max.
You leave me alone.
I'm trying to eat my feelings.
I'm trying to eat my feelings.
Did you just get dumped
by the love of your life?
I did, actually.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
Quinn?
She'll come around.
So what if I'm not serious enough?
It's high school.
I'll just keep doing me,
and she'll remember she likes doing me.
Or
you know... you could
stop being an immature jock
with a brain full of
marbles and pornography.
Don't slut-shame me, Max.
I'm just saying
you could do something to impress her,
make her see that you're more than
just... you.
I'm listening.
Oh, no, that's all I had.
I just got dumped, remember?
So I'm focusing on me at the moment.
Oh, right.
Fair.
So what happened with you, and, uh...
Seriously?
[snickers] Uh...?
"Rowan."
I'm dating Rowan.
Mm-hmm.
Or I was, until he dumped me.
Just because I was trying to protect him!
Protect him from what, bro?
[snickers] We live in the suburbs.
From the crushing pain of public defeat
and social catastrophe.
I really don't want him to get hurt,
but I do want him back,
and he won't get him back
until he sees that I'm right,
and he won't see that
I'm right until he gets hurt,
which is exactly what's going to happen
when he gets publicly humiliated
by some beautiful, self-absorbed,
popular, empty vessel like
oh, like, um...
[]
Nate
you should run for President.
Of America?
Of McMann High.
[scoffs] Oh, right, high school.
Student government is a Quinn thing.
Exactly!
What better way to show her you care?
Plus
you are just vapid and popular
and conventionally
attractive enough to win.
Thanks, Max.
But I don't do school.
Oh, my God, Nate.
Nate, listen up, buddy-boy.
"Buddy-boy"?
Do you want your woman back?
Yes.
Okay, then here's what you gotta do.
You gotta get out there,
and you gotta crawl to her feet...
Bleeding, blood everywhere...
Blood's getting on her feet,
getting on her beautiful shoes,
and then you've got to show
her, with your dying breath,
that you aren't
just some run-of-the-mill baseball-thrower.
"Pitcher".
Then you have to prove
to her that you, Nate Reed,
can be more than just the
bat-swinging, calzone-shoveling jerk
that you are.
Wow.
Max
that sounds like
way too much work.
Good speech, though.
[claps for her]
[takes a deep breath] I...
I can't.
And... all our yesterdays
have lighted fools
the way to dusty... death!
Out...!
Wait! Lauren
does space really capture
the nihilism Macbeth is feeling?
Or
is his struggle
inherently represented
by the scarcity and turmoil
of the Wild West?
Aja... you beautiful genius...
Are you saying what I think you're saying?
Let's take this play back to 1885!
Ooh!
[smooch]
What are you putting your brush down for?
You heard the woman!
Saddle up.
Guys? I just figured out a
way to get back at Rowan...
Or get Rowan back.
Uh-oh.
Okay, I just need to prove to him
that breaking up with me
is the biggest mistake of his life.
Well, as long as it's just that.
Okay, Rowan's really excited
about running for President, right?
[both] Right.
And he only broke up with me
because I didn't believe in him, right?
-Did he?
-I guess...?
Well, I was just telling the truth,
and he thought I was being mean,
but what he doesn't realize
is that the truth is almost always mean,
so all I need to do
is show him the truth about the truth.
Makes sense?
I don't get it.
I think I'm following.
I need to convince Nate Reed
to run for Student Body President.
Uh, yeah, I don't get it, either.
Oh, my God, it's so obvious!
I need to prove to Rowan
that student government
is just a big, dumb popularity contest,
so I get Nate Reed...
A literal human hot dog,
who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever...
Get him to run against Rowan, win,
and then Rowan sees that he was naive
and I was right, the entire time.
Or
you could just go to
Rowan and apologize?
Apologize for being right?
Well, when you put it like that...
Guys, trust me,
this is gonna work,
and then Rowan will beg to take me back.
Everything will go back to normal.
[phone alert ringing]
Oh, shoot, I'm already behind schedule.
Ellie, wait!
[sighing]
She's not actually gonna be
able to convince Nate to run
right?
[]
[Ellie] Step one...
Elect the hot dog.
[]
Vote for Rowan.
[Ellie] Attaboy, Rowan.
Add the hot dog's name to the sign-up sheet
without getting caught.
[]
Step two...
Make sure other candidates drop out
so that it's just Rowan versus Hot Dog.
OMG!
Can you believe Nate Reed
is running for President?
He's gonna win in a landslide.
You'd have to be crazy
to run against him, right?
[]
Step three... generate enough buzz...
Vote for Nate!
- About Nate's campaign
that when Quinn finds out,
she'll be super-impressed.
Vote for Nate.
Homework easier.
Yes?
More field trips.
[]
Nate Reed wants to make every day taco day.
He wants to get serious.
Nate Reed wants to get serious.
Nate Reed wants to get serious!
[]
[Ellie] Seriously... what could go wrong?
"Get serious"?
-What?
-You tell me, Nate!
-Is this supposed to be funny?
-What?
I've been in the student government
since the sixth grade,
and now you're gonna
turn it into some joke?
Quinn, I literally have no idea
What you're doing?
Of course you don't.
You'd make an awful president, Nate,
so why don't you go erase your name,
and then we can pretend
like this never happened.
[deep breath, grumbly sigh]
I'd make a great president.
What?
I'm gonna be an amazing president,
actually,
and no, I'm not doing it to win you back.
I'm doing it
'cause I think it's time for me to
get serious.
Now, if you'll excuse me...
I have to pitch.
[fuming] Oh
[class bell rings]-[indistinct hall chatter]
[indistinct announcement crackling]
[locker bangs]
We need to talk.
[awkwardly] Hey.
Um, yeah, give me a sec.
[]
[]
[door thumps open]
You can't be in here!
You wrote my name on that list?
What...?
No... no way.
[deep breath] Okay, I did.
I wrote it, but
you looked so sad at the diner,
and I figured
if I signed you up for President,
it would get Quinn's attention.
Well, thanks, Max.
It did get her attention,
and now she hates me.
What?
She wanted you to get serious, didn't she?
Well, yeah, but
she thinks I'm, like, trolling it,
or whatever.
Well, that's an easy fix.
Just take it seriously,
do a great job, and win the election.
Um, duh. I already thought of that.
Super! Then this was a
really fun conversation.
-I'll see ya!
-I can't do that on my own.
You signed me up, right?
So now... you're gonna help me.
Just give me a chance, Max.
That's not my name.
Just hear me out.
Your man... Rowan.
What about him?
That's your dude, right?
He's the only other
person running for Prez?
So?
So... be my campaign manager.
He'll see us together
and get totally jealous.
He'll be begging to have you back.
Rowan's not the jealous type.
Ellie, trust me
when I'm around,
every guy's the jealous type.
I'll get Quinn, you get Rowan.
Nate, you're the most
popular guy in school, okay?
You really don't need my help.
Yeah, but you love all
this boring school stuff.
Plus, if you're on my team,
Quinn will know this isn't just some joke.
So... what do you say?
[Lauren] You said no?
[Ellie] Uh, yeah.
I hate him.
Like, more than anyone
in the entire universe.
Good.
This plan is already way out of hand, Ell.
Just let it be.
What? No, that's so boring!
What would Lady Macbeth do?
She'd plot a regicide, go crazy with guilt,
and die off-stage.
Exactly!
Learn from the best.
Hey, Aja?
Do you think we could finally settle
on an aesthetic for the show?
People seem really excited
about the Western idea.
Do I look like I care what
the people are excited about?
Art cannot be rushed,
Jules, so I will not let
you rush it, mmkay?
[dryly] Mmkay.
Like I was saying...
Lady Macbeth isn't normal, like us.
She's crazy.
Okay, well, I'm not gonna go crazy,
but I'm not backing down, either.
I have another plan.
[groans] No.
There's more?
[phone ringing]
-What's next?
Oop! Gotta dash.
[footsteps receding]
-[clopping]
Oh!
["Horse" nickering]
-No.
Goodbye. Please.
Please.
[buzzing chatter, indistinct]
[tender, sad theme rises]
[]
[gasping] Oh...
-I'm so sorry.
-Ellie.
-Gloria.
Uh... try again.
Mrs. Everdeen,
you are actually the
person I was looking for.
Mm-hmm. I know you've
memorized my schedule.
You can't prove that. But,
while I have you here
a resume
detailing my extensive
leadership experience
and why I would be
a perfect candidate for
the PCLA summer program.
For example,
did you know
that I'm President of
McMann's Robotics Club?
I do know that.
I also know that you're the only member.
Well played.
But... there are plenty of
other experiences on there
I think you would really...
Ellie, look at Mr. Cross.
That... is what leadership looks like.
It's about inspiring your peers
and bringing out the best
in your fellow students.
I'm sure your resume is great,
but if you really want this
don't tell me, show me.
Okay?
[]
We got all your favorites...
Mac and cheese
we got pork chops
and... we got biscuits.
Dad, this is way too much.
So we'll have leftovers.
And save room, 'cause I got ice cream cake
waiting in the freezer.
Does it say "I'm sorry
about your breakup" on top?
Mm. Guilty as charged.
Promise, I'll wipe it off.
What do you say we get
outta here after dinner, huh?
Go bowling, knock down some pins,
talk about our feelings...
Specifically yours?
Really, Dad, I'm-I'm fine.
Breakups are hard, Ell.
I mean, you and Rowan
have been together for years.
It's not easy, letting go.
Well, I don't have to let go.
I have a plan.
Oh, you have a pla...? Oh, boy.
And does it happen to revolve around
acceptance and inner-healing?
Do you want me to lie to
you and say that it does?
No. No, no, no.
Then I won't.
[clicking rapidly]
[thumps desk]
[thuds book shut]
[]
[line ringing]
You've reached the
voicemail of Rowan Cross.
Thanks for calling.
Uh, sorry I missed you.
Please leave a message.
[beeps phone off]
[phone plops on bed]
[phone starts ringing]
Rowan?
[Nate chuckles] No.
You really are desperate, Max.
Nate?
How did you get my number?
Some theater person gave it to me.
[funky groove rises]
[]
So... you think about my offer?
Uh, yeah... and I already told you,
I'm not doing it.
How many times have you texted him?
Not... that many.
And he's ignoring your calls. Yeah?
Yeah...
You're too desperate, Max.
You gotta make him want you,
and the best way to do that
is by spending time around me.
Join my campaign,
and I promise you,
the second he sees us together,
he'll start texting you back.
So what's it gonna be, Max?
Let Rowan go,
or get back in the game?
[blurts] Fine!
I'm in.
Sick.
I'll text you.
Cool.
All right, you're in it now, Ellie.
No backing out.
You are Lady Macbeth!
[Nate, laughing] What? Who's Beth?
Nothing! Goodbye![Beeps phone off]
[]
[]
What's up, Max?
Nate, why are we meeting here?
I like it here.
It's the only place I can
go to escape the crowd,
you know?
Oh, God. Okay, let's just get to work.
[]
[thump]
-Take out a notebook.
Why?
Because we have to prep.
Presidential candidates
have to attend all campaign events.
There's the town hall,
the debate, the caucus,
and you have to set up a fundraiser
for the student carnival.
Sounds like a lot of work.
It is!
[taunting] Are you gonna quit?
No. I'm in it to win it.
-Seriously.
-Great.
Then take out a notebook.
I don't have one.
What?
What's in your backpack?
[zipper whines]
Comic books
half a pack of ChocoBursts, and
[snaps] ...my lunch-flops!
"Lunch-flops"?
The flip-flops I wear at lunch?
[sighing] Okay. Well... what's this?
Uh
nothing.
Okay.
This week is your first campaign event.
You'll have to write a brief speech
about a topic you care about,
and then it opens up to a Q&A,
and I may be grasping
at straws here, but
is there anything you're concerned about
at school?
I want to get rid of detention.
Nate, you just said you
were gonna try your hardest.
This is me trying my hardest.
Okay, well,
even if getting rid of
detention was a good idea...
Which it's not...
It would be totally
impossible to implement.
Just because something's impossible,
it doesn't mean it's not worth trying.
Look, Max.
I really do need your help
with all the boring school stuff...
Like the meetings and the flyers
and all the election regulations,
but when it comes to the people...
I know what's good.
Do you?
Trust me.
[]
[assembly bustle and din]
Students of McMann High School,
welcome to the first
campaign event of the year,
and we'll begin with the candidates
running for Student President,
who will give a speech,
followed by a brief Q&A.
Okay.
Quinn is front and center.
Cool.
Are you nervous?
Me?
[mocking] "Oh, yeah. I am so nervous."
Okay, funny, but there's
a lot of people out there,
and if I were you, I would be nervous.
Nah, fam, you've got the wrong guy.
So without further ado...
-Okay. Don't blow it.
please welcome to the stage...
-I won't.
- Mr. Nate Reed!
[students applauding]
Whoo-hoo!
What's good, McMann?
[feedback whines]
Uh
my name is Nate Reed,
and I'm gonna be President.
Well...
I'm running for President.
You guys will get to
decide who actually gets it,
you know, because of democracy,
[chuckles nervously] and stuff.
Ahem.
Look, y'all,
I'm here to talk about one thing
and one thing only...
No more detention!
[roars] Whoo-hoo!
[Streaker claps twice, awkwardly]
You want to get rid of detention entirely?
S-So, what
you and your friends can keep
drawing penises on my backpack
without any consequences?
Well, no. That's...
I haven't done that
since middle school, bro.
Maybe detention did its job, then?
A-Are we supposed to live in a school
where you and your friends
can do whatever you want?
No, dude.
I'm saying...
Um...
A lot of you haven't ever been in detention
before, have you?
You sit in a classroom
while a teacher gives you a speech
about crime and punishment,
then makes you sit in silence,
and it's sad,
because you know you're gonna
see that teacher the next day,
but instead of looking at
you like one of the good kids,
they look at you like some failure,
and if it happens a few times,
they treat you like a failure, too,
and when they treat you like that,
you start to believe them.
I know I've taken jokes
too far with a lot of you,
and I'm sorry,
but detention doesn't fix that.
You know what I did in detention
after drawing all those dicks?
I drew even more.
[scattered chuckling]
How much better would it be
if I gotta work at a soup kitchen,
or, like, take an old lady salsa dancing,
or just do anything
that made me feel like I was capable
of more than what people expected of me?
So I say
detention can eat my ass.
[laughter, applause builds]
And if you elect me, I'm getting rid of it.
That's all my time, folks.
Shout-outs to Streaker and the boys...
The boys! The boys!
and shout out to my
awesome campaign manager,
Ellie Pearse.
[echoing ominously] Ellie Pearse...
[distorting] Ellie Pearse, Ellie Pearse...
Ell-Ellie Pearse... Ellie Pearse...
Ellie Pearse... Ellie
Pease, Ellie Pearse...
[distortion swells, sudden silence falls]
"Ellie Pearse"?
[]
Who is "Ellie Pearse"?
[teacher] Thank you, Nate.
[in horror] Ellie?
[mic drops and squeals]
Oh... okay.
Great. Perfect.
Great.
Thank you... Mr. Reed.
[]
[indistinct chatter]
[sound slows and distorts]
[]
[music ends abruptly]
Ellie.
Hey, Rowan.
So you're helping Nate, huh?
Yeah, I guess so.
I really liked your speech.
It's a great point about recycling.
I don't get it... Ellie.
You hate him.
Is this supposed to make me jealous or...?
What?
[scoffs]
Not everything's about you.
Why?
Are you jealous?
Miss Pearse!
I'm surprised.
You are?
Well, Nate's speech was a
little rough around the edges,
but this is what I've been looking for.
Running Nate's campaign,
helping him reach his full potential...
That's leadership.
Yes! Right. Of course...
Leadership
because I'm... I'm a leader.
Good luck, Miss Pearse.
I'll be watching this
campaign very closely.
[]
See? It's not about you.
It's about...
[]
leadership.
I mean, can you believe
how dumb people are?
At first I was like, "Oh, no, I'm screwed!"
But then he opened his mouth
and delivered a bunch
of Nate Reed nonsense,
and all these sheeple were like...
[bleating] "Ba-a-a-ah...
I love you, Na-a-a-t-e."
Oh, I actually liked his speech.
Lauren!
I did, too. I had never thought
about detention being like that before.
Because it's stupid.
He wants to get rid of the place
where we send bad kids
so that the bad kids can
keep terrorizing the rest of us.
Maybe.
Hey, if your plan works,
and Nate's elected president,
I'm at least happy he
cares about something.
Yeah. About that...
I haven't been entirely honest with you.
Please, tell me
there isn't another
Inception layer to this plan.
There is a whole extra layer to this plan,
and it's exactly like Inception.
-Yes!
- Lauren.
I will not be silent!
Look, since the moment
I put his name down on that sheet,
I knew Nate Reed,
trusted servant of the Devil,
could never be President.
No matter how badly I want Rowan back,
I'm not evil enough to sacrifice our school
to a year
of Nate's cruel, dick-obsessed leadership,
so...
I did what I do best...
My research.
"If a student officer is found in violation
of the code of conduct,
they will be disqualified
from holding office,
and their backup candidate
"will serve the remainder of the term..."
[]
Which leads me to step five...
Disqualify Nate Reed
after he wins, of course.
I'll continue to impress Ms. Everdeen
by running a flawless campaign...
[Nate] No more bad things!
[wild cheering]
-Good things only!
[echoing over cheers] Good things only!
[Ellie] Then, once Nate wins,
I'll swoop in and save the day.
Nate is disqualified,
Rowan is President,
and I secure my summer recommendation.
Everybody wins!
[police radio chatter]
[]
[Aja] What about Nate?
What about him?
Isn't that, like, really mean?
Meaner than everything he's done to us
over the last 12 years?
Look, honestly, he won't even care.
He's just doing this to
get Quinn's attention,
and with this plan, he gets that,
and he doesn't have to do any of the work
of being President.
If he found out, he'd thank me.
[sighing]
[Ellie] Okay, just be
yourself and don't look at me.
Okay. What's the plan?
Now that we've announced your campaign,
we need to form a coalition of voters.
80% of students are
involved in extracurriculars,
so these endorsements are crucial.
[Nate] Okay.
Just make friends?
Easy.
[Ellie] No, these aren't
normal students, Nate.
Whassup?
Improv, Yearbook Club,
the Coalition of Bisexual Gardeners...
They don't want a "'sup, bro."
They want to see what you can do for them.
Hi, Nate!
-What's up, uh...?
-Lukas Ryan, Science Club.
He wants new beakers for AP Chem.
Lukas! I was just thinking of you.
Man, I cannot stand
the terrible supplies
that we have in AP Chem.
It's gotta change, right?
Exactly right!
Wait.
You're in AP?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
[Nate chuckles awkwardly]
[Ellie] Divya Madhavi...
Goes by "Div," lacrosse.
Yeah, dude. I'm not blind.
Yo, Div, how's the team?
Could be better.
Girls' soccer team gets
all the best practice slots.
Damn. That's so frustrating.
[Ellie] Don't. She's trying to see
if you'll pit women's
teams against each other.
But the boys soccer
team uses that field, too.
Now, maybe I'm too progressive, but...
I feel like teams should be
splitting field time equally,
regardless of gender.
Yeah.
[Ellie] "Maybe I'm too progressive"?
Laying it on a bit thick, don't you think?
Not if it works.
[Quinn] Hey!
[Ellie] Quinn Jacobs, Student President.
Dude, hang up.
Yo, what's good, Quinn?
You look good.
It's nice to see you
actually applying yourself.
You liking my campaign?
The student body seems to.
Yeah, that's not the body I'm asking about.
Ugh... really?
[sighs sheepishly]
[clack]
-So
you going to Streaker's party?
[Quinn] Maybe.
Don't get too cocky, Nate.
You don't have my vote... yet.
Ahem!
No.
We've still got work to do.
[indistinct announcement crackles]
Wow, I...
You already found somebody
else to push around, huh?
[chuckles awkwardly]
Uh, n-no... about Nate, um...
No, it... it's fine.
I... I'm just surprised.
That's all.
Yeah.
To be honest, me too.
Well, I, uh...
I better get out there.
[both chuckling]
[odd impression] "I'll be seeing ya."
[bemused chuckle] What?
I don't know.
[snickers] Okay.
Um, bye. Bye, Rowan.
Bye, Ell.
[Nate] Bro...
[sing-songy] I heard all of that...
I'm sorry, but
you have no rizz.
Shut up.
[Nate chuckles]
[]
[doorbell rings]
You're late.
Student party presidents
can't sleep until noon, Nate.
[yawning] Chill, Max.
You should be lucky I'm
working on a weekend at all.
Yes, I'm so very honored.
Do you want some coffee?
No thanks.
[cans tapping table]
Speed Demon?
No thanks.
So... what's first?
Town hall.
It's a Q&A, so you won't
need to write a big speech.
Sick.
But you will have to write
a bunch of mini-speeches
for every potential question that comes up,
and then you're gonna have to memorize
every single one of those.
Less sick.
I read all of these
campaign books last night,
and I've got some really great ideas
on how to start preparing.
You spent your Friday night
reading?
Normally, it's my game night, but...
Rowan.
Take notes.
[pages flitting]
So you draw?
[scoffing] No.
I mean, a little, but
nothing serious.
Why rhinos?
Oh, um, my dad used to
take me to work sometimes.
He owns a car dealership,
and he would just leave me in his office
to watch these nature documentaries.
I found out that rhinos are going extinct,
so I started drawing 'em.
That way, I'd remember what they look like.
That's actually, nice.
[chuckles] It's stupid,
but it made sense when I was five.
May I?
Sure.
[chuckles]
Okay, so
the rhinos are definitely you.
[Nate] Yeah.
Is this one me?
[laughs] Yeah.
Nate
thanks for not drawing
me as a giant maxi pad.
[Nate chuckles]
Thanks for not making fun of my drawings.
[claps book shut]
The campaign.
Right.
Town hall is going to be
the most rigorous event,
so we really need to nail
it if we want to impress
Mrs. Everdeen...
Uh, the... the students.
Wait a minute!
Nate Reed?
Wow!
I haven't seen you since
eighth-grade graduation.
Well, you've turned into
a handsome young man.
Dad!
Hey, you still play baseball?
-Yeah.
-How's your season going?
Good. Added some
speed to my fastball, so...
-Oh? Well, that's great!
-Yeah.
You know, we should... we should
go to one of his games sometime.
Yeah, but right now, we
really need to focus, so...
Yeah.
I'm so sorry about him.
He... [chuckles] ...gets very invested.
It'd be wild if your dad
showed up to a game
before mine did.
Your dad doesn't go to your games?
Nah, he's too busy at the dealership.
[mimicking] "Working on our future."
[forced chuckle]
Because he wants me to take over one day.
Is that what you want?
I guess.
I mean... what else am I gonna do?
Oh, my God!
Is that your mom?
Yeah.
Bro.
Why is she dressed like a fish?
It was my birthday party.
Is that funny to you?
I mean, a little.
Well, it was Finding Nemo themed.
Aw.
That was my favorite
movie. I was obsessed with it.
And that was the last party
that she threw for me, so...
Wait!
Wait, Ellie, I'm-I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
She throw you a good party, though?
Yeah.
She set up the whole house
so you could walk through the movie.
My room was the coral reef,
and the garden was the jellyfish canyon.
[chuckles] Oh, and she made these costumes.
She was Marlin.
I was Nemo.
Mine even had the lucky fin
which I...
I didn't even end up wearing.
I-I refused, because, uh
it wasn't just like the movie,
and I assumed everyone would hate it
and think it was stupid,
and obviously it wasn't...
It was the best birthday ever,
so I never wore it,
and we don't have a
matching picture together,
and I do not know why I'm telling you this.
Ellie, you don't gotta...
You know what?
It's fine. It was... It was...
This is old stuff, so...
let's just focus on this.
What was her name?
It was May.
Dude, I'll say it...
May was really hot. [Chuckles]
What?
[both cracking up]
[Ellie keeps laughing]
She sounds really cool, too.
Yeah.
Did you just bring up my dead mom
to get out of studying?
Oh, my God, no.
'Cause that's exactly
the kind of political pizzazz I wanna see!
[relieved sigh]
-Nicely done!
[laughs] You scared me.
Well, good. Read this, front to back.
I'm gonna test you later.
[]
[Aja] Ellie?
Hey, Ellie! Ellie...
Beyonc just died!
Ellie, one of your boobs
is just, like, hanging out your sleeve.
[]
Ellie... are you staring at Rowan?
What?
N... What? Who...
Who, Rowan? That... That... [chuckles]
That Rowan? No.
No, I don't. No, no.
And how is your plan going, Macbeth?
Uh, it's Lady Macbeth,
and, uh... my plan's going awesome,
like really great.
Better than hers, probably.
Jesus, Ellie, have you read the play?
[ JAWS -like theme rises]
[]
Why is Streaker coming over here?
Yo, Max!
[chair clatters]
I heard you and my man
have been studying up a storm.
Um, yeah, we've been trying to prep.
Yo, chill! Chill!
I just, like, I've never seen
my dude work this hard,
and that's really dope,
but I wanted to invite you to
my pool party this weekend.
I've got the casa to myself
because my dad's in trouble with the FBI,
so I am solo-dolo in the mansion/crib
while he's seeking amenes... am...
Am-nes-ty... "amnesty" abroad.
I'd invite you guys, too,
but I don't know you, so I'm not gonna.
Fair enough.
Um
yeah, I guess I coul...
Yeah?
Max...! Let's go!
[patty-pat-pat]
-[chair scrapes floor]
Ellie Pearse... at a party?
Not for fun, okay?
For you-know-what.
If I'm gonna catch Nate breaking the rules,
this is where I'm gonna do it, okay?
Oh, hi.
Hi...
Hi.
Sorry, you can... you can go first.
No! No, you...
Okay.
Uh, then I'm... I'm gonna go first, then?
Uh-huh.
-Okay.
-That's... okay.
[music thumping quietly in background]
[knocking]
Hmm. No bathing suit?
Around these people?
Thank you.
[chuckling]
Well, bathing suit or not,
I'm, uh, I'm proud of you.
I'm glad you're giving Nate
a chance to make amends.
Oh... [scoffs]
Nate is not interested in making amends.
He's just doing this to
impress his ex-girlfriend,
and once that's over
he'll never speak to me again.
Trust me.
Nate Reed does not care about me at all.
[doorbell chimes]
[doorbell chiming]
[footsteps]
Hey.
What are you doing here?
Your house is on the way to Streaker's.
Plus, I thought you
might skip, if I didn't.
You really wanted me to come?
Of course!
And you're not just inviting me
so you can shove me in the
pool and film it in slow-motion
and, like, put it up on TikTok or whatever?
That's a very specific fear.
Tyler McCoy... last year?
[party music thumping]
[slow-motion] My... phone...
[splashing]
Oh... right.
Well...
I promise to not push
you in the pool, then.
Okay. I'll go get my coat.
Coat?
Have you ever been to a pool party?
So many. I'm just gonna change.
[music thumping]
-[cheering]
Boom, here I come
Gonna go boom-boom-boom on the drum
If you want a piece
Better come get some
Take it like a breeze
Come and make it fun
We like to party Party, party...
Nice coat.
Shut up.
[indistinct exchange]
Oh... my God.
Is this a party for your campaign?
Guess so!
Once Streaker realized
he could get stickers with my face on it,
he kind of went a little crazy.
Why don't you design some campaign posters?
You're the artist.
What do you mean?
Your sketches!
You think that stuff's good?
Doesn't everybody?
I don't know.
I only ever showed you.
[]
A drink for the lady?
No, I am not trying to get wasted.
Spiked seltzer is practically water.
Yo, Nate!
Help me with these racks, bro!
I gotta go help set up.
Just try to have fun.
I'll be right back.
Streaker!
[]
[]
Three, two, one We
like to party-party-party
It's naughty-naughty-naughty
I'm feelin' fresh I'm feelin' fine
Ain't nobody here gonna waste my time
Gonna party, party, party
Gettin' naughty-naughty-naughty...
Strike a pose Make the lens go boom
Three, two, one, boom...
Hey, Ellie.
Hey! Hey, Quinn.
Hey.
No bun?
Oh, I'm on this, like,
gluten... keto... paleo diet.
Oh.
You know, I was really mad
when I found out he
was running for President.
I thought he was gonna
make it a stupid joke
like he does with everything,
but, this version of Nate,
it's like I don't even recognize him.
[Nate] Vote for Nate.
Thanks, you guys, vote for Nate.
You guys dated for, like, three years.
The Nate I dated was
okay, look.
This is what he texted
me... the day we broke up.
[teacher] Hey. What's going on in here?
Nothing. I'm just taking a dump.
[teacher] That smells kind of weird.
[mocks wind breaking]
[teacher] Ugh, something smells strange.
Did you get sprayed by a skunk?
[air hissing]
[teacher gagging] Oh... Oh!
[Ellie] Wow.
See what I mean?
Ah, this video gave me such clarity.
Like, I need more.
It's perfect.
What?
It's... uh, you're-you're perfect
[chuckles] too perfect to
be hanging around that guy.
[both laughing]
Trust me, I am far from perfect.
I don't know. You're quite gorgeous.
No, really, I'm not.
Are you even wearing makeup?
Oh, Quinn...
[Quinn shrieking]
[crowd laughing]
Whoo!
[]
Oh!
[laughing]
Quinn, that was, like, so messed up.
Oh, it's fine. They do it every party.
Thank you!
Anyway, I'm, um...
I'm just happy Nate's with someone
who makes him actually want to try.
[coughs] What?
Sorry... [laughs]
"With" someone?
Working with someone
who actually cares about school issues.
Yeah, right.
Yes, of course.[Both chuckling]
Anyway, no more student government talk.
We're at a party, right?
Cheers.
Okay.
[chuckling]
[]
Step up because it's 'bout to go down
My swagger make a crowd say "wow"
Got love so Imma pass it around
Step up because it's 'bout to go down
Life's a treadmill
and I'm just steppin'
My hometown love me
'cause I'm always reppin'
Watch yo' mouth because
my class in session
[can crumpling]
Imma show you I'm first, not second
Nostalgia is key and
I bring the essence
Bang-bang-bang I'm a lyrical weapon
Choose your fighter wisely
We not friends online don't tag me
Hit you wit' the one-two pow-pow
Jump to the beat Everybody, bounce
Step up because it 'bout to go down
My swagger make a crowd say "wow"
Got love so Imma pass it around
Step up because it's about to go down
Uh, uh, uh Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
[laughter and cheering]
[]
Ellie
do you wanna play Pong?
Did you just call me Ellie?
Guess I did.
Wait.
Are you drunk?
No!
No, you-you said these
were "basically water".
Basically water... not actually water.
So, you want to play?
Mm.
Don't you want to play with Quinn?
Nah, I want to play with you.
Plus, I'll finally be better
than you at something.
Come on. Come on!
[Nate laughs]
[belching loudly]
Doh!
[plop]
-[Streaker groans]
[crowd roaring]
What the hell was that?
You said you never played.
It's just physics.
Yo, Max is insane!
Yo, her name is Ellie!
It's-It's okay. It's fine.
No, it's not.
Look, I'm sorry about
the whole "Max" thing, Ell.
We let that go on for way too long.
God, lighten up.
It's just a joke.
[Streaker] If we lose,
I'll do a naked lap around the block.
What happens if we lose, Streaker?
[laughs] Don't worry about it.
All right.
[]
[splash]
Oh!
[]
Now, if you make this, we win.
All right?
Tilt your arm.
You've got this.
[exhales deeply]
[]
[sploosh]
[wild cheering]
[groaning]
Oh, my god!
Ell, you did it!
You bring the love Love
I cannot believe I did that!
You bring the love
Love
I'll chase the clouds away
You bring the love
Love
[record scratching]
-[gags] Oh, my God!
[vomit splashing]
[]
-[vomit splashing]
-You're doing great, Ellie.
Once you're done,
you're gonna feel amazing,
I promise.
I don't feel amazing.
Well, then you're probably not...
[vomiting]
done.
[]
You're going the wrong way.
My whole life is going the wrong way, okay?
Rowan hates me,
and I've got throw-up in my hair,
and I'm caught in the middle
of this complicated plan.
I don't even... I don't
know what's right anymore.
Our plan isn't that complicated.
You don't...
You don't get it.
What don't I get?
Nate, I'm...
You don't...
[gulps]
[gurgle] Ohh...
[splashing]
[Nate, sadly] Oh
my lunch-flops.
[snoring]
[grunts groggily]
[whimpers]
[groans] Mm.
[munching softly]
Call Nate.
[line ringing]
Ellie... what's good?
[whimpers] Did you
tell anyone that I puked?
Nah!
How you feeling?
On the verge of death,
and I'm dizzy.
[laughs] Sounds about right.
But we still need to work, okay?
This town hall's coming up this week,
and we need to be prepared
to, um
impress Quinn.
Huh?
Oh... yeah.
Right.
So...
So...?
So
um, so, I... I gotta go.
Later.
Mm, "later."
[]
...Call off plans
And we can watch the sun rise
Butterflies, backseat of your car
Till your friends askin' where we are
I can't handle picturing it any longer
We're not gettin' any younger
And you're just my type
I want you I can't lie
[background chatter]
Hey.
[Nate chuckles]
Oh, you look pretty.
What?
Pretty polished... and very presidential.
Um, did you practice?
Mm-hmm.
Because you know the key to any fair policy
is a well-structured compromise.
Ellie, please.
People hate compromise,
and they love me.
Okay, if the candidates will be seated,
it's time to begin.
Wish me luck.
Good luck.
[cheering, applause]
Welcome, everyone.
Students have submitted
their most pressing questions,
and the candidates will
take turns answering.
Okay.
First question up...
It's from Sarah M.
"Like so many students, I stay up late,
so Nate, Snap me any time.
"My handle is..."[laughter]
Sarah, what was your plan here?
[laughing]
Okay, next question
from Micayla C.
"How will you improve
the food in the cafeteria?"
Rowan, you first.
Um, I will be proposing a student co-op,
so, every week, a
rotating group of students
will, uh, shop, meal prep,
and cook together before school.
It's healthy, tasty, and educational.
[smattering of applause]
You go, Ro.
Nate, your proposal?
[exhales]
Micayla C brings up a great point here.
The food in this cafeteria blows...
[crowd murmuring]
Sorry, Denise.
and we've got to change that,
so I think the solution here is obvious...
Freedom.
Why just settle for the cafeteria menu,
when we can get delivery,
and give the students of McMann High
access to so much more.
Isn't that what you and your friends do
all the time anyway, even
though it's against policy?
[Nate chuckles]
Well, yeah, but just 'cause
we're test-piloting it for everyone...
[Div] Okay, don't say "everyone"
when you know not everyone can afford it.
Hey! Rich people have problems, too!
My dad's an international criminal!
[crowd snickering and giggling]
[Everdeen] Next question
is from Chris R.
"Right now,
school athletics receive
significantly more funding
than other programs.
Do you think this should be balanced,
"and if so, how?"
Nate?
Ahem.
What was his name?
Chris R.
Tch, well
it's a great question, Chris.
You know
we can't keep relying on school funding.
They can't support every group equally...
[deep breath, sigh]
so I think it's time we-we...
[mouthing words]
we have to compromise...
A word I'm sure some of you
are shocked I can pronounce.
[laughing]
I think it's time that we
all start working together.
The baseball team can't
keep relying on school funding
when other teams have
to raise money themselves.
So I think it's time the baseball team
holds a fundraiser.
How about a car wash?
Anybody tryin' to watch me get dirty
while your car gets clean?
Yeah![Cheering, applause]
[cheering and laughter continue]
[]
[Aja] You're in way over your head, Ellie.
What?
No, I'm not.
I see the way you look at Nate.
Is this even about Rowan anymore?
Hold that thought.
[loudly] Have you guys ever seen fish?
Because they don't have cheetah spots.
This is drama club.
Aren't we supposed to express ourselves?
Expressing oneself is
for upperclassmen, Jules.
Okay?
Have you ever seen a fish
that looks like this before?
[Jules] Well, no, I haven't...
-Cheetah? Cheetah!
-I'm with Aja on this one.
What is going on with you and Nate?
[Aja] I'm the director!
There's nothing going on.
Look, I'm so close now.
Once I get Rowan elected,
everything's gonna be perfect.
He's gonna thank me, and so will Nate.
[Aja] No fish with spots!
[indistinct exchange]
Bye!
Hi!
[]
[Quinn] Aw, thanks for
coming to pick me up.
[Quinn laughs]
[]
And you're, like, sure that
you saw them together?
Yeah, I saw it with my own eyes.
Quinn tried to make this whole break-up
about, like, psychoanalyzing me,
but she just wanted to
bang some college guy.
That's it, period.
I don't know.
What? You got some other theory?
Quinn is one of the
coolest girls I've ever met.
Okay.
But did you ever actually,
like, let her see you?
The real you?
'Cause it seems like she only ever got
the dumb "bro" persona.
What? I don't got a persona.
Really?
[mockingly] 'Sup, dude.
Let's go to Streaker's
and get some beers with the boys.
[scoffs] I've never said that.
That's exactly what you sound like.
All right, now guess who I am?
[mockingly] Oh, I'm Ellie.
I read big, boring books made out of paper,
and I'm way smarter than
every person everywhere.
Okay, well
all books are made out of paper, thank you.
-Uh-huh.
-And second...
It really isn't fun to guess
if you have to start it
with, "My name's Ellie."
Hurts, doesn't it?
It's just not what I sound like.
You sure?
-100 percent.
Huh. Okay, whatever.
Are we both obnoxious, then?
Yeah, maybe! And you know what?
I'm never gonna change.
I won't if you won't.
Cheers.[Ellie chuckles]
[doorbell rings]
What? Are you selling cookies?
Let me get my wife.
Lynn, cookie girl!
No, I'm-I'm Ellie.
Pearse?
I'm helping Nate with his
campaign for President.
Of America?
Of McMann High.
[chuckles dryly]
I'm sorry, there's been a mistake.
Nate in student government?
No, it's true,
and he's doing a great job.
And he's an artist.
He designed everything in there.
[deep breath] Okay, look.
I don't know what he's got you thinking,
but I promise you, Nate's a good salesman...
I mean, he learned from the best...
[chuckles]
but behind his charm,
the kid is a D2 pitcher with C+ grades.
He's not an artist,
and he's not gonna be
some Student Body President.
Oh, don't feel bad.
You're not the first girl to
show up on our doorstep
chasing after our son.
I'm not some girl who's in love with Nate.
In fact, a few months ago,
I really couldn't stand him, but
working with Nate on this
campaign has shown me
that I was wrong,
and I hate being wrong, so,
with all due respect, Mr. Reed,
Nate is capable of a lot more
than you give him credit for.
[]
[]
Come on! Give it your best!
[whump]
-[clunk]
Yeah![Crowd cheering]
I miss my dad.
[chuckling]
Nate, where's our booth?
You're looking at it.
What about everything we planned?
Did your dad throw out our supplies?
You'll see.
Hey, Divya. Got 20 bucks?
Maybe.
Wanna throw a pie in my face?
Absolutely!
And... voila.
Here you go. Have at it.
For real?
No, seriously.
Go on.
[splat]
[Nate] Okay.[Laughing]
Bet I deserved that.
Yeah, you did![Laughing]
Yummy. At least it tastes good!
I'll tell you what I want
What I really want, yeah...
Okay.
[splatting]
I'll tell you what I want
what I really want, yeah
[laughter]
I'll tell you what I want
What I really want, yeah
Yeah![Cheering]
[clank] [ding]
A little bit more...
A little bit more...
One pie left.
Come on, Ell.
You know you want to.
You know what?
I really don't.
Well, I do.
[Nate] Hey, Tyler.
[splat]
[Tyler] That was for the pool last year.
Oh...
-Thanks!
[tin clatters]
-[Ellie laughs]
You know...
I usually hate when people go off-book,
but Nate, that was amazing.
[giggling]
[laughing]
Thanks.
They really got me there, too.
Yes. Yes, they did.
[crowd cheers in distance]
Ahh. Hey. You want to go?
Looks like they're packing up, so...
Uh, sure, but...
What, you nervous, Ell?
[Ellie chuckles awkwardly]
That is way steeper
than it looked over there.
You'll be fine. I'll take care of you.
Come on!
[]
Whoo-hoo-hoo!
[laughing]
[]
You've still, uh... got some pie.
I've got it.
[chuckling]
[Nate] Thanks.
[]
What is it?
Um, I... I have something for you.
It's a little comic I made,
for you,
about us.
[]
[Nate chuckles bashfully]
[]
Anyway, it's... dumb.
Sorry, I just thought
it could be like a little thank-you gift.
[Ellie] No, I...
I love it.
Thank you.
This is, um
this is more than I deserve.
What are you talking about?
If it wasn't for you signing me up,
I'd never have done any of this.
[]
I have to go.
[Nate] Ellie!
Ellie, wait.
You okay, bro?
[alarm ringing]
[wham]
[silence falls]
Wake up, wake up! It's election day!
Is it too late to get hit by a bus?
Uh, nope. You've got
plenty of time for that.
[door creaks and thuds]
[class bell ringing]
[phone buzzing]
I can't believe I'm
saying this, Aja, but...
I care about him.
What about Rowan?
[sighs]
I don't know!
Did Lady Macbeth ever have
to choose between two boys?
No. She...
[sighs] Just read the play, Ellie.
Okay, look.
If I show Miss Everdeen this video,
Nate gets disqualified, and Rowan wins.
Everything goes back to normal,
but maybe I don't want
it to go back to normal.
Hmm.
Uh, what happened to underwater cowboys?
I decided my vision was
better suited to the black box,
and the entire crew revolted against me.
Guess you weren't the only one
being a little extra this semester.
Well, you know what?
I'm done scheming.
[commands clicking]
[whoosh]
Where's Lauren?
She's kind of missing a big moment here.
It's election day, remember?
She's voting.
And finding me a new crew.
[]
Ahem. Hey, Lauren.
Hey, Rowan! You look great, man.
Thanks. [Chuckles]
Uh
hey, are
are Nate and Ellie together?
What?
Uh, I don't actually really know...
No, please, look,
I know we don't really play anymore,
but if the work that we
put into our Minecraft server
meant anything to you,
I really need to know the truth.
Bro, Ellie is not
together with Nate at all.
She's not even really helping him.
She's doing all this for you.
What?
Where is she?
What if it's the play?
Oh, I thought you were going to say me.
Are you serious, Ellie?
I'm sorry!
I had to tell him! I-I am
not good under pressure.
Okay, Rowan, whatever she said,
it's really... it's not like that.
It's not? Then what is it, Ellie?
Because, to me, it sounds like
you convinced Nate to run for president,
pretended to be his friend,
and now you're gonna get him disqualified,
maybe even suspended... and for what?
Rowan, I wasn't.
This...
This whole thing was a mistake.
No. No, Ellie.
This wasn't a mistake.
This was another one of your plans
where you... you have to
control everyone around you.
You could have just helped
me with my campaign.
[Rowan's breath shakes]
You know, you think you're so much better
than everybody else,
but you're not.
If anything,
you're just a bigger
dick than everybody else,
'cause this... was mean, Ellie.
[quietly] Like, really mean.
[Quinn] Rowan?
[]
We need you for the final assembly.
[students murmuring]
[tense, sullen theme plays]
[]
[Everdeen] In just a minute,
our candidates for president
will be joining me on stage.
I just want to say...
Hey, Rowan. Good luck, man.
Yeah.
Uh, you too.
[Everdeen] ...had a huge turnout
-for elections this year...
-[Rowan] You know, I...
I-I was thinking a lot,
about what you said about detention, and
uh, you're so right,
so I-I-I talked to my nana's nursing home,
and they'd love to have
student volunteers...
Cooking or salsa dancing, anything.
Oh. Thanks.
Yeah.
I'll see you out there.
[Rowan] See ya.
Look, I need to tell you something.
About you and that other guy?
What? What are you talking about?
I saw you guys together.
I mean, I'm probably stronger than him,
and I could definitely
jump higher than he can,
but who cares?
I guess I've grown up
just like you wanted.
You can thank Ellie for that.
Ellie?
Yeah.
She actually believes in me.
No, Nate, she's using you.
What are you talking about?
No, she's not.
Nate, I promise you
she is.
Let me show you something.
[]
[Everdeen] Welcome, McMann students.
It's time to announce the winner
of this year's student
presidential election.
[students applauding and cheering]
[]
[cheering continues]
[]
Nate!
I've been looking all over for you.
I have something to tell you.
I don't want to hear it.
It's been a hard-fought battle
between our two candidates,
so let's give them a round of applause.
[applauding and cheering]
Please? It-It's important.
Why did you do all this, Ellie?
What do you mean?
Why'd you write my name on that list?
Because!
To impress Quinn.
Yeah
about Quinn...
Why'd you DM yourself
that video from her phone?
Nate, I'm so sorry.
It's okay.
Just for once,
I thought somebody actually believed in me.
Congrats, Ellie.
Your plan worked.
[]
Ladies and gentlemen,
please put your hands together
for the next Student Body President...
Nate Reed!
Whoo![Crowd cheering]
[]
[silence falls]
[students murmuring]
Uh...
Nate Reed to the stage, please?
Hello?
[confused murmuring persists]
[banner tearing]
[crowd cheering]
Good job.
My name is Nate Reed,
and I never wanted to be president.
I got into this election
to prove myself to a girl,
and I stayed in it
to prove myself to another girl.
All that that proved
was that they were right about me.
Everyone was right about me.
But even if I got into this
for the wrong reasons
I'm going to get out of it
for the right ones.
So as my first official act as President
I resign.
[crowd murmuring]
Bro.
Rowan's gonna fix detention.
How cool is that?
That's just a thing that I said...
But he's actually gonna do it,
but I can't.
Sorry.
[]
Ahem. Heh. Thank you, Mr. Reed,
for that... unorthodox speech.
And... I guess,
congratulations
to the next President of McMann High,
Rowan Cross.
[crowd applauding]
[]
[sullen theme plays]
[door opens]
[sighs] I'm sorry.
I know how hard you
worked on this campaign,
and it's never easy to
see hard work go to waste.
Luckily... this wasn't a waste.
I'm going to call
the Pre-College Leadership
Academy later today.
I want to tell them
about a rising star here at McMann,
Ellie Pearse...
A brilliant engineer and a strong leader
even when things don't
go exactly as planned.
I mean, for a second there,
you even had me thinking
that Nate Reed could be a great President.
[chuckles]
[]
[]
I'm never the one to break down
But lately I've been losing the ground
[]
Ooh, baby you've been breaking hard
And I know because I played the part
And I wish that I could
just go back to the start
Strike three! You're out!
Ooh, baby you've been breaking hearts
And I know because I played the part
And I wish that I could
just go back to the start
When we were foolish
And we were stupid
And I was happy
And carefree
And yours
Oh, I'm so foolish
I'm so stupid
'Cause I'd still do
anything to be yours
To be yours
[chopping aggressively]
[banging loudly]
Hey, hey.[Chopping stops]
I know you're upset,
but don't take it out on the McIntosh.
I'm not upset.
Oh, are you sure?
Why would I be upset?
This is all Nate's fault,
because if he didn't call me "Maxi Pad,"
then I never would've bonded with Rowan,
who would've never
asked me to be his girlfriend,
and then he wouldn't have broken my heart,
and I never would've come
up with this insane plan
in the first place!
A-Are you sure that's the takeaway here?
I'm fine! So just forget about it.
Hey, um
now I don't have all the specifics,
but it sounds to me like maybe
you held on to some things too tight.
Now, maybe you did some
things that you're not proud of,
and maybe you hurt some
people that you care about,
but that's just part of growing up.
Now, I don't know
if you can fix things
with Nate or with Rowan.
I don't know that,
but the only way to find out
is to own up to your mistakes, apologize,
and let go.
What if I can't?
You can.
Trust me
you're gonna regret it, if you don't. Hmm?
[]
[smooch] I love you.
Love you, Dad.
[]
[]
Fiona Coyne.
And you're Ellie Pearse,
McMann High School.
I follow your GitHub and Stack Overflow.
Your explainer on
object-orientated programming
basically taught me how to code.
Wow. Thanks.
No. Thank you. Seriously.
I am so excited
to finally be around people
who are worth my time.
Yeah.
Sorry. Wait.
What?
I don't know what the
"culture" is like at McMann,
but Horton is filled with
lazy, hormonal losers
who only care about
where the next party is.
Excited to be around
some winners, for a change.
Wow.
Is any of that even true?
Excuse me?
I mean, how do you know
that's all they care about?
Have you ever actually taken the time
to get to know them?
Also, parties can be fun!
That's actually the whole
point of having them.
If you look at the world in
terms of winners and losers,
you're gonna end up
misjudging a lot of people
and missing out on a
lot of good times, and...
Oh... my God!
Are you me?
Am I the bad guy?
Oh, my God, have I been
the bad guy this whole time?
Are you having a mental breakdown?
[man] Fiona Coyne?
Well... Ellie, this was
disappointing.
[footsteps receding]
[]
Well, good luck, El...
[]
lie?
I didn't think I would care so much
About the way your hands touch my hair
You can keep them there
[]
Hey, you an artist?
Uh, no, but my friend is.
Mm. Never mind, then.
Actually, he's... he's more than a friend,
but after everything I put him through...
He's so talented.
He just doesn't see it,
and I-I wish I could show
him how talented he is,
but it's too late, you know?
Okay, uh, well, you can let him know
it's not too late to submit a portfolio
to be considered for our summer program.
[]
Every single time,
I just feel like this is
where I'm meant to be.
I almost wish I'd have known sooner,
and we could just...
Hey, Quinn.
You told Nate about the video?
Yeah.
Sorry, but also not really.
Wait, what's going on? What video?
Oh, my God, he's British?
Ellie, this is my cousin Adam.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you, too. [Chuckles]
And for what it's worth...
I wasn't gonna go through with it.
I believe you,
but Nate still deserved to know the truth,
and... I was
jealous.
Of me?
You're perfect!
You got a perfect a SAT score.
I lied, okay? I got a 1570!
Hey, that's still an exceptional score.
The way Nate looks at you
tries with you
he never did that for me.
So, yeah, I was, like, a little jealous.
[bell dings]
-Pizza's ready!
Well, see you around, and...
Adam.
Please don't tell anyone
about my SAT score.
[]
[Ellie] Sir Rowan,
my deepest apologies for everything.
You are a great adventurer,
and I wish you luck on the quest to come.
I built you what future wizards will call
a "phone app".
May it aid you
as you take the throne of McMann High.
Forever in your corner, Ellie.
[]
25,
26,
27...
[hip hop ringtone plays]
Yo.
Oh, um, yes, sir. This is Nate Reed.
No.
What summer program is this?
[]
[wild cheering]
[]
[indistinct exchange]
[]
[]
Ellie?
Hey, Nate.
Hi.
Crazy thing just happened.
I just got offered a spot
at this super-fancy summer art program.
Really?
Are you gonna go?
Yeah. Uh, I think so.
I thought my folks were
gonna say no at first,
but now my dad wants me
to quit baseball and make NFTs.
I don't think people make NFTs anymore.
Why'd you do this, Ellie?
[sighs] Okay, I wasn't trying to meddle.
It's just I saw this booth,
and I told them about you,
and I sent them a copy of "Nate & Ellie",
and I applied under your name,
and, Nate... they loved it.
So is that your new plan?
Get us both in the same summer program
and so you can, what...
Have me run for the office
of Campus Dumb-ass?
No.
I just wanted you to
see how talented you are.
And... I won't be there this summer,
so if you do decide to go,
you'll have the whole campus to yourself.
Why won't you be there?
Just decided it wasn't the right fit.
Well
did they really love "Nate & Ellie"?
Yeah,
and so do I.
Yeah?
You mean like...?
You know what I mean.
[]
[]
Oh
does that mean you forgive me?
-Oh, God, no.
-Oh.
I just feel bad for you,
now that I'm this big artist
and you're just... so high-school.
[both laughing]
[student celebration continues]
[]
...But if you'll give me
the chance to love you
Oh, I'll love you...
[]
[clatter]
I got a three
a seven, and a skull.
Ooh... wrong dice, Nate.
Saving throws are one D20, plus dex bonus,
plus proficiency... if you're proficient.
Uh, Aja, tell us what happens
with a three and a seven
and a skull?
What? That-That's not...
There's-there's no...
Yes! Improv!
Ellie, uh, back me up here that the rules...
Aja, just make it up.
Okay... fine!
[all laughing]
You're doing really well.
Okay! Okay. So
with the skull, you weren't so lucky.
The spider queen
she stands up from her spider throne,
she walks towards you
she opens her eyes,
and shoots baby spiders all over you!
[all groaning]
They're crawling all over
you, and they're biting you!
[game chaos continues]
[Ellie] Maybe I wasn't entirely right
about everything this year.
That emotionally-stunted "monster"
turned out to be a pretty great guy,
and the other one...
[crying out] This one's for you, Dad!
well, not everybody
changes in high school.
[]
My baby's got the big, big shoes
Tryna fill 'em but she just might lose
Who cares if you jump through hoops?
Just get up, get up get up!
There's Jimmy tryna make his way
Countin' pennies
'cause the work don't pay
Everybody's gotta take their way
So come on, come on, come on, come on
Ahh...
[]