Youth in Revolt

Youth in Revolt

Year: 2010

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Miguel Arteta

Budget: $18M

DramaComedyRomance

Awkward teenager Nick Twisp's life is upended when he falls for the captivating Sheeni Saunders. Struggling to balance his everyday existence with the intensity of their connection, Nick develops Francois, a rebellious alter ego determined to win Sheeni's affection. This leads to a series of chaotic and unpredictable events as he grapples with love, family, and the search for his own identity.

Whimsical
Happy ending
Emotionally light
Medium intensity
Fast pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Youth in Revolt yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Youth in Revolt (2010)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Youth in Revolt (2010). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film captures the essence of teenage rebellion and the challenges of youth in a contemporary setting. The narrative, while specific in its modern developments, reflects universal themes of love and heartache that resonate with the experiences of young adults. It illustrates a period where personal identity and social pressures are at the forefront of adolescent life.

Location

Oakland, California, Clearlake, Berkeley, Santa Cruz

The story unfolds in Oakland, California, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural diversity. The characters temporarily reside in a trailer park in Clearlake, a retreat where unexpected adventures happen. Nearby Berkeley and Santa Cruz symbolize the allure of youthful exploration and escape, particularly with Sheeni's French boarding school destination enhancing the theme of longing.

🏙️ City 🏞️ Landscape 🎡 Trailer Park

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:38

Main Characters – Youth in Revolt (2010)

Meet the key characters of Youth in Revolt (2010), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nick Twisp (Michael Cera)

Nick is a gentle-natured and introspective teenager, struggling to assert his identity amid his chaotic home life. His longing for connection drives him into reckless situations, revealing his complexity and vulnerability. Nick’s transformation into the rebellious François Dillinger illustrates his internal conflicts and desire for acceptance.

👦 Young Adult 🌌 Dreamer 🔄 Transformative

Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday)

Sheeni is an enchanting and cultured young woman who captivates Nick with her passions for French art and philosophy. Her beauty and intelligence inspire devotion from Nick, showcasing her as both a muse and a symbol of unattainable ideals. Throughout the film, Sheeni navigates her own challenges, struggling with family dynamics and her desires.

🌹 Muse 🎶 Artistic 💔 Complex

Jerry (Ray Liotta)

Jerry plays a significant yet tumultuous role in Nick's life, representing the chaotic adult world that Nick yearns to escape. His dubious activities and eventual heart attack compel Nick to confront deeper issues of grief, responsibility, and familial connection. Jerry’s character epitomizes the challenges that can arise in parent-child relationships.

👨‍👦 Father Figure ⚠️ Chaotic 🌪️ Tumultuous

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:38

Major Themes – Youth in Revolt (2010)

Explore the central themes of Youth in Revolt (2010), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love & Heartbreak

The film delves into the tumultuous nature of young love, showcasing the highs of romance entwined with the lows of heartbreak. Nick's infatuation with Sheeni drives him to great lengths, demonstrating how love can push individuals toward reckless behavior. The complexities of navigating relationships prompt deep emotional growth and realizations about connection and sacrifice.

🌪️ Rebellion

Rebellion is a prominent theme as Nick adopts the persona of François Dillinger, a representation of his yearning to break free from societal norms. His audacious actions, fueled by frustration and desire, challenge authority and family structures. This theme captures the essence of adolescent defiance and the quest for individuality in a conformist world.

🎭 Identity

The quest for identity is intricately woven throughout the narrative as Nick transforms through his alter ego. This exploration of self is catalyzed by love, leading him to confront who he truly is versus who he pretends to be. The struggle to find authenticity in a world full of expectations underscores the film's universal message about the challenges of self-discovery.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:38

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Quirky Coming-of-Age Romances like Youth in Revolt

Awkward, chaotic, and heartfelt journeys of first love and self-discovery.If you enjoyed the offbeat charm and romantic desperation of Youth in Revolt, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar quirky teen comedies and dramedies about awkward characters, chaotic first love, and the search for identity, perfect for fans of heartfelt yet hilarious stories.

romanticquirkyawkwarddesperatechaoticheartfeltyouthfulrebellious

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on an unconventional protagonist, driven by an intense infatuation, who embarks on a series of increasingly chaotic and often ill-conceived plans to win over their love interest. The journey is as much about self-invention and overcoming social awkwardness as it is about the romance itself, leading to personal growth amidst the comedy.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific blend of whimsical tone, light emotional weight, and a focus on the passionate, sometimes desperate, nature of teenage romance. They balance heartfelt yearning with farcical situations, creating a unique vibe that is both funny and endearing.

Movies with Chaotic Alter Egos like in Youth in Revolt

When a character's fabricated persona spirals into delightful, high-stakes trouble.Fans of the rebellious Francois from Youth in Revolt will love these films about characters creating chaotic alter egos. Discover similar movies where fabricated identities lead to hilarious trouble, featuring fast-paced plots, medium intensity, and a blend of comedy and drama centered on self-reinvention.

rebelliouschaoticdeceptiveunravelingidentity crisisfarcicaldesperatescheming

Narrative Summary

The plot is propelled by the protagonist's decision to adopt a new, often more extreme, identity. This alter ego initially serves a specific purpose but quickly gains a life of its own, leading to escalating complications, deceptions, and moral dilemmas that force the character to confront who they truly are.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by a shared narrative device—the creation of an alter ego—that consistently generates a specific type of comedy and tension. They explore themes of identity and rebellion through a lens of fast-paced, often farcical, events where the protagonist's plans spectacularly unravel.

Unlock the Full Story of Youth in Revolt

Don't stop at just watching — explore Youth in Revolt in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Youth in Revolt is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Youth in Revolt Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Youth in Revolt, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Youth in Revolt Summary

Youth in Revolt Timeline

Track the full timeline of Youth in Revolt with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Youth in Revolt Timeline

Youth in Revolt Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Youth in Revolt that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Youth in Revolt Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Youth in Revolt

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Youth in Revolt: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Youth in Revolt

Explore More About Movie Youth in Revolt

Youth in Revolt (2010) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Youth in Revolt (2010) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Youth in Revolt (2010) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow