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Jawbreaker (film)

Jawbreaker is a 1999 American teen black comedy crime film written and directed by Darren Stein.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jawbreaker is a 1999 American teen black comedy crime film written and directed by Darren Stein. It follows a group of popular high school girls whose prank goes wrong when their friend dies, leading them to cover up the death and manipulate the social hierarchy at Reagan High School.

Plot

The film follows three popular students at Reagan High School whose attempted kidnapping prank on their friend Liz goes fatally wrong. They then try to conceal the death while protecting their social standing.

Production and release

Jawbreaker was written and directed by Darren Stein and first screened at Sundance in January 1999. It later opened theatrically in the United States in February 1999.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, Judy Greer, Pam Grier, Charlotte Ayanna, Ethan Erickson, Carol Kane, and others.

Reception and legacy

The film has been described as a dark comedy and cult title, with attention drawn to its satirical take on high school cruelty, beauty standards, and social power.

Key facts

  • The film was written and directed by Darren Stein.
  • It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 1999.
  • The story centres on the aftermath of a birthday prank that results in the accidental death of a high school girl.
  • The film is known as a dark satire of teenage popularity and high school social status.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jawbreaker about?
It is about three popular high school girls whose birthday prank causes the accidental death of their friend, after which they try to hide what happened.
Who directed Jawbreaker?
Darren Stein wrote and directed the film.
When was Jawbreaker released?
It premiered at Sundance on January 30, 1999, and was released in U.S. theatres on February 19, 1999.
Who stars in Jawbreaker?
The film stars Rose McGowan, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, Judy Greer, and Pam Grier, among others.
What genre is Jawbreaker?
It is generally classified as a teen black comedy crime film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawbreaker_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, plot premise, premiere and U.S. release dates.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jawbreaker
    Supports: Plot synopsis, cast, genre, and release date.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0155776/
    Supports: Plot summary and U.S. release date.
  4. Fandango — https://www.fandango.com/jawbreaker-83780/movie-overview
    Supports: Runtime and plot synopsis.