The younger generation, commonly referred to as Gen Z, has recently been introduced to the cult-classic comedy American Pie for the first time, and their reaction has been far from amused. Instead of embracing the humor that once made the film a major box office success, they are heavily scrutinizing its themes and comedic elements, labeling it as outdated and problematic.
Originally released in 1999, American Pie was a massive hit, spawning four main sequels and multiple spin-offs. Collectively, the franchise amassed a staggering $990 million worldwide against a total budget of $147 million, cementing its status as one of the most commercially successful comedy franchises of all time. However, despite its financial success, modern audiences are finding it difficult to digest its brand of humor, which heavily relies on crude and risqué jokes.
The film, known for pushing the boundaries of raunchy comedy, is now being re-examined through a modern lens, with many younger viewers expressing discomfort over its approach to sensitive topics. While some members of Gen Z have criticized the film for failing to align with today’s cultural values, many older fans have responded to this backlash with sharp criticism of their own.
One viewer mocked the younger generation’s reaction by writing: “That’s hilarious. I find ‘woke teens’ to be extremely problematic instead.” Another chimed in, dismissing their outrage: “If I don’t like a movie or TV show, I simply don’t watch it. There are millions of other options, so just move on and stop making everything a big deal.”
Many longtime fans of American Pie argue that comedy should not be measured by today’s moral standards and that Gen Z’s reaction is an over-exaggeration. One passionate fan voiced their opinion, stating: “Who cares about their overly sensitive emotions? This is a classic comedy, absolutely hilarious!”
A Scene That Aged Poorly
This is not the first time American Pie has faced criticism for its controversial humor. Shannon Elizabeth, who played the role of foreign exchange student Nadia, reflected on one of the movie’s most infamous scenes in an interview. The scene in question features her character unknowingly being filmed by Jim (Jason Biggs), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) as she undresses in Jim’s bedroom.
To make matters worse, this private moment is accidentally broadcast to the entire school, resulting in Nadia being humiliated and ultimately sent back to her home country. The male characters, however, face no consequences for their actions. Looking back, Elizabeth acknowledged that if this movie had been released post-#MeToo, it would have been met with significant backlash. “There would definitely be a problem if this film came out today,” she admitted.
She also recalled that shooting the scene was personally challenging for her as an up-and-coming actress. “It was a closed set, just me and the boom operator above me. That’s what I remember most—just me, him, and a camera. I tried to lighten the mood by making jokes with the directors because if I wasn’t nervous, maybe they wouldn’t be either. I wanted to make it seem like it was no big deal.”
Would American Pie Even Get Made Today?
Shannon Elizabeth is not the only cast member who believes the movie would struggle to exist in today’s cultural climate. Seann William Scott, known for playing the notoriously wild and obnoxious Stifler, also weighed in on the issue.
During an interview with Jake’s Takes, Scott expressed his belief that many of American Pie’s jokes would be deemed completely unacceptable by today’s standards. “You know, I was talking to a friend about this the other day, and we both agreed: There’s no way you could make American Pie in this day and age,” he explained.
Scott went on to suggest that some of the film’s comedic moments could potentially land someone in serious trouble if they were replicated today. “Some of the things we did in that movie? You’d probably get arrested and spend years in jail for that now.” He further noted that modern audiences seem to favor a more sophisticated and witty approach to humor, moving away from the exaggerated, over-the-top antics that once defined comedies like American Pie. “It feels like people, myself included, prefer smarter writing and clever humor now,” he concluded.
Gen Z’s Harsh Criticism
It seems that Seann William Scott’s concerns are justified, as younger audiences have not been kind to American Pie. In March 2020, Vice conducted a social experiment where they had Gen Z teenagers watch nostalgic movies, including American Pie, to gauge their reactions.
The results were unsurprising. Many of the 16- to 19-year-olds who participated in the study found the film’s portrayal of women and relationships to be problematic. One participant, Taylor, 16, commented: “I don’t know if this was considered realistic when it came out, but today, men treat women with much more respect.” Another viewer, Olivia, 18, was more direct in her critique: “It almost borders on incel attitudes. If a teenage boy watched this today, he might think he has the right to treat women however he wants.”
Hannah, 17, took particular issue with the infamous Nadia scene. “The part where Jim and the others secretly film the exchange student is deeply disturbing. The movie doesn’t even question the morality of it. Instead, it turns it into a joke, portraying the guys as heroes for pulling it off.” She continued: “It’s a massive violation of privacy, and today, it would absolutely be classified as a criminal offense. No modern teen movie would ever include something like this.”
The generational divide regarding American Pie is undeniable. While older audiences fondly remember it as a comedic masterpiece that defined an era, younger viewers see it as a relic of a time when problematic behaviors were normalized in mainstream media. Whether one agrees with Gen Z’s critique or dismisses it as over-sensitivity, one thing is certain: American Pie is no longer the untouchable classic it once was.