The most significant subversion in the film is Graham (Drake Rodger). In 80s movies, the popular jock (the "Stepford Boyfriend") is often the villain—two-dimensional, stupid, and cruel.

Graham Lansing isn't the one-dimensional bully or brainless athlete we’ve seen a thousand times. He’s portrayed with nuance, proving to be a genuine and kind person, which forces Mandy to confront her own internal biases against "popular" kids.

As I reflect on my high school experience, one memory stands out above the rest: the Prom Pact I made with my best friend. It was a promise that seemed simple at the time, but it ended up becoming a defining aspect of our friendship and a testament to the power of loyalty and commitment.

While there’s plenty of romance, the heart of the movie is the platonic bond between Mandy and her best friend Ben (Milo Manheim). They are the "outsiders" who have spent their high school years judging the "popular" kids from the sidelines, only to realize they might be the ones missing out.