Netflix and just chilling out can be fun, and there's a new high school flick that's just enrolled. I mean, it even has a hashtag in the name, so it must be 21st century social-media-friendly. Think every high school movie ever, complete with a mean girl who is now an Internet celeb influencer too. The protagonist Dani Barnes (Nesta Cooper) isn't a new girl (shock!) but she is a self-proclaimed nerd who is really smart. She has a sidekick best friend, has some of sort of college goal, and has a crush on the school's leading sportsman and feud with his ex. Sounding familiar? That's cos it is.

Whilst #REALITYHIGH brings something new-ish by incorporating a major social theme, we've definitely seen every angle all before. If Regina George had YouTube, would she be Alexa Medina (Alicia Sanz)? Alexa definitely tries harder that's for sure. There isn't much of a storyline, and the story isn't very compelling, but once upon a time, Dani felt the wrath of an Alexa prank, and flash forward a few years, there's now high school drama involving boys and revenge. Dani goes through the mandatory makeover process until she no longer recognises who she was before - deep, I know!! I don't mean to keep making film comparisons, but I just can't help it. Just like Mean Girls, there's a wacky high school principal. There's a sidekick best friend like A Cinderella Story, and an updated Facebook Live-esque webcam confessional/speech a la Easy A.

I had a few issues with the characters, in that they don't ever seem fully fleshed out and instead, take on straight-up stereotypes. We're meant to be rooting for Dani, but instead I found her just a little annoying. And Alexa Medina is suitably evil, but desperately so. This queen bee has vulnerabilities, which is different I guess..? Dani's cute social media obsessed little sister is quite entertaining - it's like she's been written straight out of a Disney Channel sitcom. Don't forget the cameo from rapper Kid Ink too.

Maybe I'm being a little harsh. #REALITYHIGH knows it brings out the ridiculous extremes but it's simply making an observation of #reality anyway. We get the highs and lows of high school which we can all relate to, even if we weren't out having beach barbeques, organising huge dog adoption events or hanging out at VIP parties. Or maybe you were. It's self-mocking, as evidenced by the classic phrase, "I texted you like 5 minutes about my pic, why haven't you liked it yet?". One thing I can definitely applaud is that it highlights the brutality of peer pressure and online bullying - it is simply not OK! And we all have to know that being a self-proclaimed 'nerd' IS OK. Though enough with the 'you can't be smart and pretty' myths. Work hard. Do the things you care about and treat your friends right! These things will never be mutually exclusive.

Maybe this film is alright after all. Because on another high note, this is also miiiiiiles better than Mean Girls 2. 

#REALITYHIGH is on Netflix now.