"Devilishly Good": Turns 30 and is one of the most iconic teen comedies of the '90s

A teen comedy that shaped an entire generation celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this July since its release in the United States, and remains one of the most influential films of 90s youth cinema. Its pop aesthetic, memorable dialogue, and critical interpretation of the Beverly Hills teenage world made it a lasting cultural touchstone. The story follows a young student with a keen sense of fashion and a questionable ability to intervene in her friends' lives.

Released in 1995, Clueless was written and directed by Amy Heckerling and marked an unexpected revolution in teen cinema. While seemingly offering a superficial story about rich and popular students, its plot, loosely inspired by Jane Austen's novel Emma , ​​concealed a biting satire on the values, aspirations, and insecurities of American youth in the pre-digital age.

The film, starring Alicia Silverstone , Paul Rudd, Stacey Dash, and Brittany Murphy, became not only a box office hit but also a cultural phenomenon that has stood the test of time. With its classic American high school setting, iconic outfits, and wry, yet never condescending, tone, Clueless managed to redefine teen rom-coms. Rolling Stone magazine called it “still damn good entertainment.”

Far from limiting itself to superficial humor, the film addressed themes such as narcissism, self-image, and the desire to belong. Cher and Dionne are two of the most popular girls, whose concern, more than academic achievement, is wearing the most attractive clothes and being as popular as possible. But Cher, who lives with her tough lawyer father and sensitive stepfather, also has an innate need to help the underprivileged by introducing them to two teachers and turning her shy new friend, Tai, into a beauty prodigy.

Thirty years later, Clueless 's legacy remains very much a part of popular culture. From its aesthetic influence on other films and music videos to its role as a feminist force in teen comedy , its impact has been comparable to that of titles like Mean Girls and Legally Blonde . Currently available on platforms like Netflix and Disney+ , Clueless not only stands the test of time, but more and more moviegoers are hailing it as one of the best teen comedies of all time.