Jawbreaker
Performance & Direction: Jawbreaker Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Jawbreaker (1999) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Jawbreaker features a noteworthy lineup led by Rose McGowan . Supported by the likes of Rebecca Gayheart and Julie Benz , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Jawbreaker (1999) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Jawbreaker
Quick Plot Summary: Jawbreaker is a Comedy, Crime, Thriller film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. When an exclusive clique of teenage socialites accidentally murder their best friend on the morning of her birthday, the three girls responsible conspire to hide the truth. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Jawbreaker
Ending Breakdown: Jawbreaker concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Jawbreaker reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Jawbreaker Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Jawbreaker incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, crime, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Jawbreaker adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Jawbreaker?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Jawbreaker
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $3.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Jawbreaker Budget
The estimated production budget for Jawbreaker is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Jawbreaker
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Jawbreaker Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreJawbreaker Parents Guide & Age Rating
1999 AdvisoryWondering about Jawbreaker age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Jawbreaker is 87 minutes (1h 27m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Jawbreaker is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1999 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jawbreaker worth watching?
Jawbreaker is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Jawbreaker parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Jawbreaker identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Jawbreaker?
The total duration of Jawbreaker is 87 minutes, which is approximately 1h 27m long.
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How Jawbreaker Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Jawbreaker
Similar to “Heathers” and has some highlights, but it’s not compelling enough After a high school girl (Charlotte Ayanna) accidently dies in a prank, her three besties cover it up (Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart & Julie Benz). They’re forced to allow a shy, unpopular girl into their clique because she knows the truth (Judy Greer). Pam Grier is on hand as a detective while The Donnas perform a couple songs at the prom. “Jawbreaker” (1999) is a black comedy high school flick with similarities to “Heathers” (1988), elements of “Carrie” (1976) and influenced “Mean Girls” (2004). It’s unique enough to stand on its own and is arguably on par with “Heathers” and the overrated “Mean Girls,” but it’s not as good as “Carrie” or its excellent sequel, “The Rage: Carrie 2,” which was released the same year. McGowan is great as the alluring biyatch while Gayheart looks too old for the part at 27 during shooting, not to mention nigh anorexic. Two years after the film’s release, Rebecca hit a Hispanic kid with her car in Los Angeles and killed him, which tripped up her career. It’s decent, has a great soundtrack and is worthwhile if you favor the cast, but don’t expect the greatness of teen flicks like "Clueless" (1995) and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982). The movie’s stylish enough and has its highlights, yet the story’s just not that compelling and I found myself relatively bored. The film runs 1 hour, 27 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles, Downey & Culver City, California. GRADE: B-/C+
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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