In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Polite Society, we provide recommendations for movies with similar themes and vibes.
Cast
- Ria Khan – Priya Kansara
- Lena Khan – Ritu Arya
- Fatima Khan – Shobu Kapoor
- Rafe Khan – Jeff Mirza
- Raheela – Nimra Bucha
- Salim – Akshay Khanna
- Clara – Seraphina Beh
- Alba – Ella Bruccoleri
- Kovacs – Shona Babayemi
- Eunice Huthart – Eunice Huthart
- Written by – Nida Manzoor
- Directed by – Nida Manzoor
Movies like Polite Society
Booksmart (2019)
A comedy directed by Olivia Wilde, Booksmart is a female-focused version of Superbad. Best friends approaching their high school graduation and dealing with who they are, who they’ve been, and who they want to be heading into the next chapter of life. It’s irreverent and heartful, with endearing, hilarious performances by Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein. There are definitely similarities to Polite Society’s Ria and Lena, as well as Ria and her friends.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Like Polite Society, Scott Pilgrim is a coming of age movie that focuses on conflicted relationship dynamics and action as a means of demonstrating personal growth. Pilgrim is a bit more stylized than Polite Society, but both films have this supreme indie confidence that blends a heightened style with more grounded, accessible elements resulting in endearing, dynamic character journeys.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
The Best Picture-winner is a formidable epic that transcends genres. Polite Society is a much, much smaller film. Yet they each explore family dynamics through the frame of culture and society. Ria doesn’t deal with the multiverse like Evelyn in Everything Everywhere, but each has to fight their way to self-improvement and coming to terms with their own fears and baggage. And Polite Society does introduce a bit of a sci-fi angle that takes the story from realistic to completely fantastic. The coming to terms that Ria has to do with Lena is similar to what Evelyn has to do with her daughter, Joy.
RRR (2022)
Like Everything Everywhere and Polite Society, RRR is a movie that blends a broad, relatable story with a cultural focus. In this case, it’s 1920s India and the tension between a country divided by British occupation. Its main characters, Raju and Bheem, embody two sides of the confrontation. The former is part of the Indian Imperial Police. While the latter is a villager on a mission to rescue a girl taken by the British Governor. For a good stretch of the movie, these two form a brotherhood that’s charming and wonderful. Until their personal missions drive them apart. It’s a very Ria and Lena dynamic, with Governor Buxton playing the role of Raheela. Like Polite Society, RRR is very fresh and dynamic and heartfelt.
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