He's All That

Addison Rae’s Big-Screen Debut: The Highs, Flops, and Behind-the-Scenes Drama of He’s All That

Netflix’s He’s All That (2021) was billed as Addison Rae’s star-making turn—a modern rom-com reboot of the 1999 teen classic She’s All That. But from green-screen mishaps to lukewarm reviews, latestnetflix.com maintains, the film’s production and reception revealed a rocky transition from TikTok fame to Hollywood leading lady.

A Star-Studded Cast, But Chemistry Questions

Rae, then one of TikTok’s biggest names, headlined the film alongside Cobra Kai’s Tanner Buchanan. Early promotional material leaned hard into their on-screen chemistry, with Netflix releasing a clip of the duo singing Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream in a car scene . Buchanan later called their dynamic "effortless" in an interview, though he admitted the pressure of working with a social media superstar . Supporting roles included She’s All That alum Rachael Leigh Cook (in a meta cameo) and Matthew Lillard, but the real eyebrow-raiser was Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s appearance as a high-school principal—a role that sparked speculation about whether it was a favor to Rae’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians connections .

Production Hiccups: Green Screens and Viral Fails

Behind the scenes, He’s All That wasn’t all smooth sailing. A leaked blooper clip showed Rae struggling with a green-screen scene, her movements visibly out of sync with the intended effect . The moment quickly went viral, fueling skepticism about whether the film was a vanity project for Rae rather than a serious rom-com. Critics and fans alike questioned if her lack of acting experience would sink the movie, though some defenders argued the fail was an unfair spotlight on a single mistake .

Critical Reception: A "Crash and Burn" or Just Misunderstood?

Reviews were mixed at best. SensCritique users rated the film a dismal 3.8/10, calling it a forgettable rom-com with little originality . YouTube critics were harsher: one called it Rae’s "crash and burn movie debut," pointing to weak writing and stiff performances . Others, however, came to Rae’s defense, arguing the film was a lighthearted teen flick unfairly judged by critics expecting Oscar-level drama . Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score (not listed in the evidence) remains unverified, but the divide suggests He’s All That was a polarizing watch.

The Bryce Hall Cameo and Other Rumored Drama

One of the film’s most talked-about moments wasn’t even in the final cut—or so it seemed. A YouTube video claimed a cameo by TikToker Bryce Hall was filmed but left on the cutting-room floor, sparking rumors of behind-the-scenes tension . Neither Netflix nor the cast confirmed the details, leaving the story as tabloid fodder. With no official word, it’s unclear whether the cameo was scrapped for creative or contractual reasons.

The Verdict: A Flop or a Stepping Stone?

He’s All That may not have been the rom-com revival fans hoped for, but it wasn’t without its moments. Rae’s transition from influencer to actress was always going to be scrutinized, and the film’s flaws—whether in execution or expectation—became part of the story. For better or worse, it remains a snapshot of Hollywood’s growing pains in the age of social media stardom.