Senior Year,starringRebel Wilson, is a feel-good comedy in a high school setting. The movie is noted to be Wilson’s first comedic lead role after her appearance inThe Hustle.The film’s plot revolves around Wilson’s character Stephanie, a cheerleader who falls into a coma for 20 years due to a cheerleading stunt gone wrong. Waking up at 37 years of age, Stephanie heads back to high school to live out her teenage high school dreams.Senior Yearfollows Stephanie as she tries to adjust to high school life 20 years into the future and navigate the norms and culture of 2022.
Senior Yearwasreleased on Netflix on June 20, 2025, and, since its release, the movie has received mixed reactions. While some have applauded the core message of the film and the acting of lead Rebel Wilson, others have called out the movie for being too “cringey.” Yet another segment of viewers has been confused and unsure whether they like the movie.
Regardless of varying reactions toSenior Year, social media has been abuzz with viewers' thoughts, comments, and opinions, with Twitter being a hotspot for viewer reviews.
Applause for Rebel Wilson
For quite some time, Rebel Wilson has been renowned in comedy, with many admiring her talent in bringing light-heartedness and laughter to movies. Wilson is also well-experienced in the genre, having acted in many films with a comedic aspect, such asBridesmaids, Pitch Perfect, Isn’t It Romantic,andThe Hustle.Many viewers picked up on Wilson’s acting inSenior Yearand applauded her for a job well done.
User@tamilu40wrote:
Just watched #SeniorYear on @netflix and I just need to openly express my love for @RebelWilson publicly. 🥰 She’s hilarious of course, but this film also has heart. A great weekend watch to escape a crazy world for awhile. ❤️”
Echoing the same sentiments,@MisterPredasaid:
“Okay @RebelWilson and co. really did that with SENIOR YEAR on @netflix Really cute, very well done & the attention to detail without being cringey or tacky is wonderful. I missed this genre of movies and this one didn’t miss the mark. Love! 🏆”
@raceseal1calling Rebel Wilson “iconic,” commended the film, saying:
“am i the only one that likes “senior year” the movie on netflix?? rebel wilson is such an iconic actress and her younger counterpart did such a great job at mirroring rebel’s comedic timing. cliche high school stuff is 👍 and it shows that rebel is capable in other genres."
Senior Year is a Burst of Nostalgia
Given that Stephanie wakes up in 2022, she would have slipped into her coma in 2002. As Stephanie grapples with her new life, she tries to recreate her own teen years, now 20 years past. As she does this, she struggles to navigate the change of time and the differences in ideologies, fashion, and technology, among numerous other things, that the new era has brought along with it. As Stephanie attempts to interconnect the years 2002 and 2022,viewers are taken on a nostalgic journeyinto their own pasts.
Reacting to the movie,@mark_oliver3said:
“Watched #SeniorYear #Netflix last night. It simultaneously made me sorely miss 2002 and hate 2022. It also well illustrated long it’s been since 2002 and how much has changed. I want 2002 back!”
Those around Wilson’s Stephanie’s age connected with the film on a personal level.@HarlowHoliday1wrote:
“The movie Senior Year on Netflix is absolutely adorable & completely nostalgic. Highly recommend, especially if you are my age. So many fun references to our teen years.”
Expressing similar sentiments,@ShawnSlumansaid:
“Go ahead and judge me but I watched SENIOR YEAR (2022) on @netflix tonight… and I loved every friggin’ second of it! Being around the same age as Rebel’s character, the flashback to 20 years ago was amazing, the music was nostalgic… and I just really liked it all. 😂”
Related Link:Netflix to Stream Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special Posthumous Comedy Special
Senior Year Brings on the Laughs
Fans also reacted to the hilarity of the film. Appreciating the need for a feel-good comedy, an area that Rebel Wilson has definite experience in, viewers commended the movie for bringing light-hearted but relatable comedy onto the screen.
Writing of the laughter that the film induced,@NaturallyNina_said:
“nah i am DEAD at this movie Senior Year on Netflix legit in tears from laughing so hard😭😭😭😭”
Users were also led to question their genuine reaction to the film due to majority opinions. However, the amusement thatSenior Yearbrought about couldn’t be denied. User@Patrickdominicswrote:
“I watched Senior Year on Netflix last night and legit laughed out loud so many times and then I read the reviews. Everyone said it was terrible. I might have bad taste lol”
Senior Year’s Share of Negatives
However, as with any film,Senior Yearreceived its share of negative reviews from viewers who weren’t too taken up by the movie. Some went to the extent of calling the movie a “mess.” Viewer@mgcfaotusiacommented that the film had pushed the boundary of an acceptable level of “cringe”:
“ok so senior year on netflix is really hard to watch, it’s TOO MUCH cringe. you’re allowed to have a certain level then it’s just criminal.”
Opinions regarding Rebel Wilson’s ability in comedy were also expressed.@curiousrobyn27said:
“Watched that new Rebel Wilson movie on Netflix ‘Senior Year’ and wow. It’s bad. Not funny at all. 😬 I love Rebel but she’s just not funny anymore? Very weird, very awkward.”
While some viewers were outright negative in their reactions to the film, a few were unsure what to make of the movie. Despite complimenting Rebel Wilson,@SeanMGagne, stuck in their decision, wrote:
“I can’t tell if #SeniorYear, currently on @netflix, was poking at the #woke or shoving more of it in our faces? @RebelWilson sure as hell made it funny as usual but still not sure what I watched.”
Related Link:The Most Heartwarming and Kindest (But Still Funny) Comedy Movies, Ranked
Quite obviously, viewers have had a lot to say aboutSenior Year. Reviews vary widely, ranging from good to bad to undecided. Given that each individual’s perception of content is subjective, each opinion may be justified in its own way.
Senior Yearis available for viewing onNetflix. It’s up to you to decide what you make of the movie!
