DUFF, or “Designated Ugly Fat Friend,” first appeared in theaters on Feb. 20, grossing $10.8 million. The movie brings to attention many social issues that occur in high schools. It has had a large impact on students and staff in high schools. Some students might find that this movie has helped them if they ever did feel like a DUFF.

The movie immediately caused some controversy in the media. It was viewed in many different ways just solely based on the fact that it brings into account social problems that are not usually shown in movies.

 CBS said, “To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school’s ruthless label maker Madison (Bella Thorne) and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone’s DUFF.”

 Junior Lauren Knuteson said, “The movie was very good and I think the main reason for that was because of the risk the creators took. It was an extremely large risk they took because it could easily blow up in the film producers faces with showing the not so glamorous sides of high school, but now that I have seen the movie I think it definitely paid off.”

 The main character Bianca discovers that the whole student body calls her the DUFF of her friend group at school. Throughout the movie Bianca attempts to fight these social stereotypes with the help of the school jock Wesley and also one of her teachers.

 Knuteson said, “I think the reason this movie received so much heat was because they took a risk with this issue and I think in the end it was pulled off very nicely.”

 One of the main issues talked about is if it is okay to point out the reality of high school. Often times movies about high school focus on the positives and this takes an interesting spin on the negatives. It was a very creative way to twist the story line of the movie, especially with the role of Wesley.

 Senior Danny Erickson said, “I thought it was quite ironic how the whole movie was about removing stereotypes and then they went ahead and labeled Wesley as ‘your average high school jock’ from the beginning of the movie.”

 The movie is extremely realistic and pinpoints its focus on how high school is portrayed differently in movies. It differs in the fact that it does not over dramatize most things, yet still is interesting to viewers.

 Sophomore Emma Roslin said, “I think it is interesting how different it is from normal high school movies. For example, ‘High School Musical’ where they all sing and dance together, because this a more realistic high school situation so it is easier to connect to.”

 Overall the movie is a great motivation for many teens that could be feeling like the DUFF of their friend group. The movie shows how people are so much more than the stereotype they are given and that it should not define who someone is as a person.

The movie portrays a great message, and was also created very well. It is best suited for junior high kids and up because younger students might not be able to follow the social issues that are brought up in the movie.