Top 10 Savage Moments in Teen Movies
#10: A Blistering Speech “17 Again” (2009)
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High school can be rough, especially if you have to deal with an arrogant kid who constantly picks on others. But when Mike O'Donnell, an adult man, gets a chance to be 17 again, he doesn’t waste it. Stan – who’s about as big a monster as they come – has been targeting his son Alex. And Mike doesn’t hold back standing up to him, completely eviscerating the jerk in the cafeteria for everyone to see. It’s not a quick burn, either. His perfect three-part speech digs into the psychology behind why Stan would behave so horribly. From his mental capacity to his physical endowments, there is no part of Stan that Mike doesn’t scorch. Those smooth basketball moves throughout just add to the humiliation, and we’re here for it.
#9: Olive’s Abominable Comeback “Easy A” (2010)
Academic discussions don’t always get heated, but when they do and things get personal, it’s best to watch your back. When Olive pretends to have lost her “V card,” the story spreads around school, prompting judgment from people like Nina. The class discussion of “The Scarlet Letter” unfortunately opened the door for Nina to make her disapproval crystal clear. Of course, our protagonist isn’t one to take that lying down, and she claps back with a response for the ages. Talk about putting someone in their place! As fans of the movie know, Olive ends up actually taking Nina’s advice later on and completely owning it, which makes this moment even better.
#8: Kat Takes a Stand “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
Kat Stratford isn’t one to conform, which is a huge part of why we love her so much. And she gives us quite a few burns to revel in throughout “10 Things I Hate About You.” Her planetary banter with her sister Bianca, for example, showcases her quick wit. But seeing her expose the problematic attitudes that perpetuate patriarchal systems takes the cake. When she points out the fact that famed American novelist Ernest Hemingway was far from romantic, her arrogant classmate Joey tries to come for her personality. He’s super proud of his cheap insult, too – but he shouldn’t be. Her cutting comeback knocks him down several pegs, making him look like the fool he is. Needless to say, we’re team Kat!
#7: Exposing Paolo “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” (2003)
The only thing worse than a fraud is a fraud who tries to embarrass his talented counterpart. Paolo can’t sing to save his life. Isabella, on the other hand, has a wonderful voice. Upset that she wants to go solo, he cooks up a scheme to make it seem like she’s a fake by manipulating her doppelgänger – Lizzie McGuire. Thankfully, the truth comes out just in time, as Isabella and Gordo collaborate to show everyone exactly what Paolo sounds like live. It’s astoundingly ruthless, but he deserves it. She then steps onto the stage, viciously delivering four loaded words in front of the packed audience. You could say that this is the merciless moment dreams are made of.
#6: Good Riddance “Bring It On” (2000)
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It’s safe to say that there are a lot of bad movie boyfriends out there. Torrance’s beau Aaron in “Bring It On” is undoubtedly among the worst offenders. He doesn’t believe that she can be a stellar cheer captain, and he lets her know it. Not only is his little talk patronizing, but it’s also cruel. So the moment when she finally kicks him to the curb later on is EVERYTHING. We would have settled for a plain old “we’re done.” But Torrance goes the extra mile and infuses the break-up with attitude and flair. She takes Aaron’s own words, modifies them for the occasion, and masterfully uses them against him. Her wave goodbye is just the cherry on top of the fierce cake.
#5: No Inner Beauty “She's the Man” (2006)
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You know how they say it’s what’s on the inside that matters? Viola, a teen girl pretending to be her brother Sebastian, teaches his snooty girlfriend Monique that lesson when she publicly dumps her. She chooses the most blunt method possible while trying to keep her true identity secret. You can play this scene a hundred times over, and it never gets any less hilarious or brutal. Viola’s delivery, comedic timing, and facial expression combine to create something devastating that has us all in stitches. Sure, she could’ve picked a nicer way to end things. But this no-holds-barred approach is way more entertaining — and honest. Plus, we all have a new, infinitely more fun way to pronounce the word “ugly” now!
#4: A Busy Higher Power “A Walk to Remember” (2002)
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If you ask any “A Walk to Remember” fan to describe main character Jamie Sullivan, they’ll likely use words like gracious, reserved, loving, and intelligent. They’ll also tell you how important her faith is to her, especially as she deals with her terminal illness. What they might forget to mention, though, is that she can also deliver a cutthroat comeback. When a rude peer simultaneously comes for her belief in God and her wardrobe, she wastes absolutely no time putting him in his place. Her retort isn’t loud or flashy in any way, but boy does it do the job. The most painful burns often come from the most unexpected people, and this is one example we’re eternally grateful for.
#3: Locker Room Confrontation “A Cinderella Story” (2004)
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We all know the story of “Cinderella.” In this modern retelling, protagonist Sam puts up with a lot of mean-spirited comments and behaviors. Her stepsisters are awful, but stepmom Fiona takes the cake. By the end though, our heroine stands up for herself. That involves confronting Austin Ames, her initially anonymous romantic interest who messed up once he found out who she was. From the moment you see Sam march into the boys’ locker room, you know things are about to get heated. She refuses to let Austin interrupt, fearlessly owning her worth and exposing his vulnerabilities. She ends her award-worthy monologue with a scathing comparison that always makes our jaws drop to the floor. You go, girl!
#2: All of Damian’s Quips “Mean Girls” (2004)
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When Cady starts attending North Shore High School, two students take her under their wing. One of them, Janis, has her fair share of sassy moments. But it’s the other, Damian, who exemplifies what being a savage is all about – and we mean that in the best way. He gives us one biting and quotable remark after another, and each one is utterly diabolical. From his ingenious exchange in the girl’s bathroom, to his unforgettable candy cane delivery, Damien absolutely owns whenever he’s on screen. We’d also be remiss not to mention the way he harshly calls out that poor, sad girl at the assembly he isn’t technically supposed to be attending! That’s an icon if we’ve ever seen one. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Annette’s Revenge, “Cruel Intentions” (1999) Watching Kathryn Get What She Deserves Is Insanely Rewarding Fashion Police, “The Breakfast Club” (1985) John Bender Clearly Isn’t Afraid of Authority Figures Reacting to a New Reflection, “Freaky Friday” (2003) Saying This About Your Mom’s Face While She’s Standing Next to You Is Next Level A Loaded Hand Gesture, “Camp Rock” (2008) This Burn Is Silent but Deadly Unfiltered Honesty, “13 Going on 30” (2004) Leave It to Jenna to Tell it Like it Is
#1: Tai Gets Harsh “Clueless” (1995)
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A lot of savage comments in teen movies are well-deserved, or tinged with humor. But this one is downright cold. When Cher expresses her belief that Tai and Josh might not be a romantic match, her friend doesn’t take it well – at all! She could engage in a productive conversation or walk away to avoid making things more awkward, but no. Instead, Tai crosses a major line, uttering a ferocious phrase and metaphorically hitting Cher exactly where it hurts. Her unsympathetic expression only makes the dig feel more heartless, and leaves us speechless every time. The pain on Cher’s face is visible, and her response says it all. We’re not exaggerating when we say you could cut the tension here with a knife.
