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The DUFF

The DUFF

Romance · Comedy · 2015

Bianca's universe turns upside down when she learns that her high school refers to her as a ‘DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). Hoping to erase that label, she enlists the help of a charming jock and her favorite teacher. Together they'll face the school's mean girl and remind everyone that we are all someone's DUFF… and that's totally fine.

Movie details

The DUFF

“You either know one, you have one, or you are one.”

2015 Romance · Comedy 1h 40m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

Bianca's universe turns upside down when she learns that her high school refers to her as a ‘DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). Hoping to erase that label, she enlists the help of a charming jock and her favorite teacher. Together they'll face the school's mean girl and remind everyone that we are all someone's DUFF… and that's totally fine.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The DUFF?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Ari Sandel

Written by

Josh A. Cagan

Mae Whitman

Mae Whitman

Bianca Piper

Robbie Amell

Robbie Amell

Wesley Rush

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne

Madison Morgan

Skyler Samuels

Skyler Samuels

Jess Harris

Bianca A. Santos

Bianca A. Santos

Casey Cordero

Romany Malco

Romany Malco

Principal Buchanon

Nick Eversman

Nick Eversman

Toby Tucker

Court is in session

Put The DUFF on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Sentimental Softie

“Sincerity is not manipulation.”

The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“The strings are showing.”

Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.