Whip It
Whip It

Movie spotlight

Whip It

2009
Movie
111 min
English

In Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic66/100
Google Users80%
Director: Drew BarrymoreGenres: Comedy, Drama, Sport

Plot Summary

In rural Texas, teenager Bliss Cavendar, unhappy with her limited options, discovers an underground world of roller derby. Under the alias 'Babe Ruthless', she joins a team and navigates the rough-and-tumble sport, finding her identity and challenging her conservative upbringing. Her newfound passion clashes with her mother's expectations, leading to a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Critical Reception

Whip It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its humor, performances, and heartfelt portrayal of teenage rebellion and self-discovery. While some found the plot formulaic, the film was widely considered an enjoyable and charming directorial debut for Drew Barrymore.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its energetic and fun roller derby sequences.

  • Elliot Page's performance as the misunderstood teen was a standout.

  • Drew Barrymore's direction was seen as spirited and refreshing.

Google audience: Audiences enjoyed the film's quirky humor and inspiring story of finding oneself. Many appreciated the strong female characters and the unique setting of roller derby, finding it a feel-good and entertaining movie.

Fun Fact

The distinctive pink helmet worn by the character 'Iron Maven' was a prop that was actually used by a real roller derby player before being incorporated into the film.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Coming of age with the roller derby girls**_ Released in 2009, "Whip It" was Drew Barrymore's first and (so far) only full-length film in the director's chair. Drew also co-stars, but her character is decidedly peripheral. The stor...

Kamurai

Kamurai

Great watch, would watch again, and can recommend. I've actually been to some of the Austin locations and seen that roller rink: it's a pretty cool place with a powerful vibe to the room. I've really had enough of pagentry, it just fe...

John Chard

John Chard

Be your own hero! Go Babe Ruthless! Whip It is directed by Drew Barrymore and adapted for the screen by Shauna Cross from her own novel, Derby Girl. Barrymore also co-stars alongside Ellen Page, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen W...

Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Simple, fresh and enjoying girls teenager movie. Perfect for not thinking much and enjoying, without having to suffer all the stereotypes.