Jawbreaker

A tight crowd of privileged teen girls find themselves in a sordid mess after a birthday prank goes wrong and ends in death. The morning after the party, a beloved friend is found dead and the group decides to cover it up. What follows is a slick mix of satire and suspense as the cover up grows more elaborate, with deception, manipulation, and escalating lies pulling them deeper into danger. The film blends bright fashion with a dark sense of humor as the social scene shifts from glamorous to grave. The girls scramble to contain the fallout while their carefully crafted personas begin to crack. As the truth threatens to surface, the group crafts alibis and tests loyalties. For now.

Directed by Darren Stein Jawbreaker arrived in 1999 as a sharp dark comedy with a punk edge. The film stars Rose McGowan and Rebecca Gayheart, with Julie Benz and Judy Greer giving memorable supporting turns that feel lively and bold.

Budgeted at about 3 million, Jawbreaker grossed roughly 3.1 million worldwide. The modest return marks it as a stylish cult entry rather than a blockbuster. Its budget friendly scope and later home video waves helped it develop a dedicated following.

Jawbreaker is often hailed as a stylish late 90s satire of teen culture, with standout wardrobes and a tongue in cheek tone that influenced later teen noirs. Its mix of camp and menace paved the way for a mood in which fashion and danger collide, and its look sticks today.

Critics at release noted the film's bold tone and sharp social commentary, balancing glitzy humor with darker consequences. The themes include the performance of identity, peer pressure, and the consequences of cruelty, delivered with a satirical bite that many viewers remember. The result is a provocative snapshot of youth culture.