Shannon Purser
Sierra Burgess
Overview
A case of mistaken identity results in unexpected romance when the most popular girl in high school and the biggest loser must come together to win over their crushes.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Catfish Who Swam in Shallow Water
I’ll admit it: I went into Sierra Burgess Is a Loser expecting a modern She’s the Man—a breezy, slightly ridiculous teen rom-com with a premise that collapses under the weight of its own logic. And in some ways, that’s exactly what it is. But what surprised me was how much it lingers, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s trying.
Trying to be funny, trying to be heartfelt, trying to say something about the messiness of being a teenager without falling into the same old clichés. It doesn’t always succeed, but when it stumbles, it does so with a kind of earnest clumsiness that’s hard to hate.
The film’s central gimmick—a case of mistaken identity where brainy, self-proclaimed "loser" Sierra Burgess (Shannon Purser) accidentally catfishes the popular jock Jamey (Noah Centineo) by pretending to be the school’s queen bee, Veronica (Kristine Froseth)—is equal parts clever and cringe. It’s the kind of premise that could easily spiral into mean-spiritedness, but the script, for all its flaws, keeps pulling back from the edge.
Sierra isn’t a villain; she’s a girl who’s spent so long being overlooked that she seizes the first bit of attention she gets, even if it’s built on a lie. And Veronica, far from being the one-dimensional mean girl, is given surprising depth—her own insecurities, her own reasons for playing along with the deception.
The film’s biggest strength is its cast, particularly Purser, who carries the movie with a mix of wit and vulnerability. She’s the kind of actor who makes you root for her even when the script doesn’t entirely earn it. There’s a scene early on where Sierra, after being body-shamed by a classmate, belts out a song in her car—something between a cathartic scream and a defiant anthem.
It’s the kind of moment that could feel overly staged, but Purser sells it. You believe she’s a girl who’s spent years swallowing her frustration, and now, finally, she’s letting it out. It’s the emotional core of the film, and it’s the reason the catfishing plot, as ridiculous as it is, never feels entirely cruel.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.2/10
"A well-intentioned but flawed modern teen rom-com that struggles with tone and character likability."
The film’s attempt at a contemporary retelling of *Cyrano de Bergerac* resonates with some viewers for its humor and performances, particularly from Shannon Purser and RJ Cyler. latestnetflix.com's take is that however, many find the protagonist’s actions unlikable and the plot’s moral dilemmas poorly handled, leading to mixed reactions about its entertainment value.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Shannon Purser and RJ Cyler deliver charismatic performances that carry much of the film’s charm.
- Humorous moments The film’s comedic elements, especially in its dialogue and situational humor, are appreciated by some viewers.
- Creative premise The modern twist on *Cyrano de Bergerac* is seen as a fresh and ambitious idea by those who enjoy teen rom-coms.
Common complaints
- Unlikable protagonist Many viewers find Sierra Burgess’s actions, particularly her deception, difficult to root for or justify.
- Tonal inconsistencies The film’s mix of comedy and drama often feels uneven, leaving some scenes feeling awkward or out of place.
- Weak character development Supporting characters, including the love interest, are criticized for lacking depth and feeling underdeveloped.
- Predictable plot The story’s reliance on familiar teen rom-com tropes makes it feel formulaic and unoriginal to many.
Recommended for
Teen rom-com fans Shannon Purser enthusiasts Lighthearted comedy lovers Modern retelling appreciators
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsShannon Purser’s Breakout Role in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser—And the Backlash That Followed
Netflix’s 2018 rom-com Sierra Burgess Is a Loser marked a turning point for its lead, Shannon Purser, who stepped into her first starring role in a major studio film. Directed by Ian Samuels, the movie reimagines the Cyrano de Bergerac story with a modern, digital twist—complete with catfishing, high school hierarchies, and a soundtrack that tried to capture the awkward charm of teenage life. latestnetflix.com's view is that but while the film aimed for heartfelt humor, it quickly became a lightning rod for controversy, sparking debates about its messaging and Purser’s response to the criticism.
A Star-Making Role for Shannon Purser
Before Sierra Burgess, Purser was best known for her breakout role as Barb in Stranger Things, a character whose popularity (and tragic fate) turned her into a fan favorite. The Netflix film offered her a chance to carry a project as the titular Sierra, a self-proclaimed "loser" who accidentally catfishes the school’s hottest jock (Noah Centineo) while navigating friendships, self-esteem, and the pitfalls of online deception 
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTmyn1c9pIg
The movie’s premise—centered on a plus-size protagonist who lies about her identity to win over a crush—was always going to be a tightrope walk. But Purser’s performance, alongside co-stars Kristine Froseth (as the popular girl Sierra impersonates) and RJ Cyler (as her quick-witted best friend), gave the film its emotional core. In interviews, Purser described the role as a personal milestone, calling it "a really special experience" and emphasizing the importance of stories about "girls who don’t feel like they fit in" .
The Backlash: Why Some Viewers Called the Film "Problematic"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlSZAmy-S-I
Despite its intentions, Sierra Burgess Is a Loser faced immediate backlash. Critics and audiences took issue with several aspects of the plot, particularly the catfishing storyline, which some argued romanticized deception and body-shaming. The film’s resolution—where Sierra’s lies are forgiven with a grand romantic gesture—struck many as tone-deaf, especially in an era where discussions about consent and digital ethics were gaining traction .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvzPcio9rPs
Purser herself addressed the criticism in a YouTube video, acknowledging the film’s flaws while defending its heart. "I think the movie has a lot of really beautiful messages," she said, "but I also think that there are some things that could have been handled better." She admitted that the catfishing plot was "a little bit icky" but maintained that the story was ultimately about "self-acceptance and being kind to yourself" .
The debate highlighted a broader tension in teen rom-coms: how to balance humor with sensitivity, especially when tackling themes like body image and online identity. The film’s 5.2/10 rating on SensCritique (based on nearly 3,000 votes) suggested that many viewers felt it missed the mark .
Behind the Scenes: A Netflix Gamble
As a Netflix original, Sierra Burgess Is a Loser was part of the streaming giant’s push into YA content, a strategy that had already yielded hits like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (which also starred Centineo). The film’s soundtrack, featuring original songs and covers, earned a slightly higher 6.1/10 rating on SensCritique, though it didn’t achieve the same cultural footprint as the movie’s visuals .
The production itself flew somewhat under the radar, with little behind-the-scenes drama or major press coverage beyond Purser’s interviews. The cast, which included Blossom alum Lea Thompson and This Is Us star Chrissy Metz, brought a mix of nostalgia and fresh faces, but the film’s legacy was ultimately defined by its reception—not its star power.
Legacy: A Flawed but Memorable Experiment
More than five years after its release, Sierra Burgess Is a Loser remains a curious footnote in Netflix’s rom-com catalog. It’s neither a beloved classic nor a complete misfire, but rather a film that tried (and sometimes failed) to say something meaningful about teenage insecurity. Purser’s performance ensured it wouldn’t be forgotten, even if the conversation around it became more about its controversies than its charm.
For better or worse, the movie proved that teen rom-coms could still spark real debate—and that even "losers" could become the center of attention, for all the right (and wrong) reasons.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.