PhiloBut I'm a Cheerleader (2000)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 5.5
Overview
Megan is an all-American girl. A cheerleader. She has a boyfriend. But Megan doesn't like kissing her boyfriend very much. And she's pretty touchy with her cheerleader friends. Her conservative parents worry that she must be a lesbian and send her off to "sexual redirection" school, where she must, with other lesbians and gays learn how to be straight.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Philo
Apple TV
Google PlayBias Dimensions
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Christianity: Negative
Overview
Megan is an all-American girl. A cheerleader. She has a boyfriend. But Megan doesn't like kissing her boyfriend very much. And she's pretty touchy with her cheerleader friends. Her conservative parents worry that she must be a lesbian and send her off to "sexual redirection" school, where she must, with other lesbians and gays learn how to be straight.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
PhiloApple TVGoogle PlayDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
The film explicitly promotes progressive ideology by satirizing conversion therapy and championing LGBTQ+ self-acceptance and community against societal heteronormative pressures, making its core conflict and solution deeply aligned with left-leaning values.
The movie centers on a marginalized sexual identity, featuring a predominantly LGBTQ+ ensemble and challenging traditional archetypes. Its narrative explicitly critiques heteronormative societal expectations and institutions, portraying them negatively while celebrating queer identity and self-acceptance.
Secondary
But I'm a Cheerleader offers a highly affirming portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. It satirizes conversion therapy while celebrating self-discovery, queer love, and community. The narrative champions authentic identity against societal pressures, concluding with a positive embrace of LGBTQ+ lives.
The film satirizes a specific, conservative interpretation of Christianity, portraying its institutions and adherents as hypocritical, oppressive, and foolish in their attempts to 'cure' homosexuality. The narrative highlights the harm caused by this ideology without offering counterbalancing positive portrayals.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
But I'm a Cheerleader is an original film with characters created specifically for this production. There is no prior source material, historical figures, or previous installments from which characters' genders could have been established and subsequently changed.
This film is an original work with no prior source material, historical figures, or previous adaptations. Therefore, no characters had an established race before this film's creation, meaning no race swaps occurred.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
5.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
6.8
7.0
Critic Ratings
4.3
3.9
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