Ava Michelle
Jodi Kreyman
Overview
After Jodi Kreyman gains popularity, her miscommunications start causing rifts with those around her and now she really needs to "stand tall".
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readStanding Tall in a Small Frame
I’ll admit it: I went into Tall Girl 2 expecting a fluffy, forgettable sequel, the kind of Netflix original that arrives with a whisper and leaves with even less. The first film, Tall Girl (2019), had been a mild diversion, a teen rom-com with a gimmick—its protagonist, Jodi Kreyman, was a high schooler self-conscious about her height, a twist on the usual "quirky underdog" trope.
The sequel, though, doesn’t just replay the same notes. It tries something riskier: it asks what happens when the underdog wins, and then has to live with the consequences. The answer, unfortunately, isn’t as interesting as the question.
The film picks up where the first left off: Jodi (Ava Michelle) is no longer the overlooked wallflower. She’s dating the popular jock, Stig (Luke Eisner), and her social stock is soaring. But popularity, as any teen movie worth its salt knows, is a double-edged sword.
The problem isn’t just that Jodi’s newfound confidence wavers—it’s that the film doesn’t seem to know what to do with her once she’s no longer the underdog. The first act stumbles through a series of miscommunications and petty squabbles, as if the writers couldn’t decide whether to lean into the comedy or the drama. The result is a tonal whiplash that never quite resolves.
One minute, Jodi is delivering a heartfelt speech about self-acceptance; the next, she’s engaged in a slapstick food fight. It’s as if the film is trying to be Mean Girls and The Edge of Seventeen at the same time, and the seams show.
Emily Ting, the director, doesn’t bring much visual flair to the table. The cinematography is functional, the kind of flat, brightly lit aesthetic that screams "streaming original." There’s no sense of place, no atmosphere—just a series of generic high school hallways and cafeterias that could be anywhere.
The camerawork doesn’t do the actors any favors, either. Ava Michelle, who carries the film, has a natural charisma, but the script often leaves her stranded in scenes that demand more nuance than they’re given. There’s a moment where Jodi, overwhelmed by the pressure of her new social status, retreats to her room and stares at herself in the mirror.
Audience Opinions
Audience 4.5/10
"A forgettable sequel that struggles to recapture the charm of the original, relying too heavily on tired tropes and weak character development."
Viewers found *Tall Girl 2* lacking in fresh ideas, with many noting that the story feels recycled and predictable. While the cast’s efforts are acknowledged, the chemistry between leads doesn’t shine as brightly as in the first film, and the plot’s reliance on clichés—particularly around bullying and romance—left audiences underwhelmed. Some appreciated the lighthearted tone, but most agreed it didn’t add enough new elements to justify a sequel.
What viewers praise
- Lighthearted tone The movie maintains a breezy, feel-good vibe that some viewers found enjoyable for casual watching.
- Familiar cast Fans of the original appreciated seeing the same actors return, even if their performances didn’t fully elevate the material.
- Nostalgic for fans A few viewers who enjoyed the first film found this sequel a comforting, if not groundbreaking, follow-up.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn tropes about bullying and romance, offering little that feels original or surprising.
- Weak character development Supporting characters, including the antagonist, feel underdeveloped and one-dimensional, adding little depth to the story.
- Lackluster chemistry The lead pair’s dynamic doesn’t resonate as strongly as in the first film, leaving some viewers emotionally unengaged.
- Overuse of clichés The movie leans heavily on tired teen-movie tropes, which many found uninspired and repetitive.
- Unnecessary sequel Most agreed the story didn’t need a second installment, as it fails to expand meaningfully on the original’s themes.
Recommended for
Fans of the first *Tall Girl* Casual teen comedy viewers Lighthearted romance seekers Ava Michelle admirers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Tall Girl 2: Emily Ting and the Cast on Bringing the Sequel to Life
Tall Girl 2 (2022), the Netflix sequel to the 2019 hit, returned with director Emily Ting at the helm and a familiar cast ready to tackle new challenges—both on and off screen. latestnetflix.com's take is that while the first film focused on height-based insecurities, the sequel dives deeper into relationships, rivalries, and self-discovery, all while giving fans a peek into the chemistry that made the production click.
Emily Ting’s Vision for the Sequel
Director Emily Ting, an American filmmaker of Taiwanese descent, brought her independent cinema roots to the mainstream with Tall Girl 2. In interviews, Ting hinted at expanding the story beyond the protagonist Jodi’s (Ava Michelle) physical insecurities, shifting toward emotional growth and the complexities of young love. Though the evidence doesn’t detail specific creative struggles, Ting’s background in character-driven storytelling suggests she aimed to balance humor and heart—a hallmark of the franchise.
The film’s runtime clocks in at 97 minutes, a tight window for a sequel juggling multiple subplots, including Jodi’s evolving relationship with Dunkleman (Griffin Gluck) and the return of a familiar antagonist. Critics and audiences were divided, with the film earning a modest 3.9/10 on SensCritique, though its reception on other platforms remains unconfirmed in the provided evidence.
Cast Chemistry and Behind-the-Scenes Fun
The ensemble cast—led by Ava Michelle, Griffin Gluck, and Sabrina Carpenter—seemed to relish their return to the Tall Girl universe. In a Netflix After School interview, Michelle and co-stars shared lighthearted moments, including confessions about celebrity crushes and playful banter about the film’s over-the-top drama. Anjelika Washington, who plays Jodi’s best friend Fareeda, also joined Michelle for a promotional interview, where they discussed the sequel’s higher stakes and the fun of reuniting with the cast.
Trailer reactions captured the cast’s excitement, with Michelle and others hyping up the film’s mix of romance and rivalry. Clips show the actors laughing through takes, suggesting a relaxed set despite the sequel’s more dramatic tone. Steve Zahn, who plays Jodi’s dad, and Angela Kinsey, as her mom, brought a comedic touch to the family dynamics, though their behind-the-scenes contributions remain largely undocumented in the available evidence.
The Return of the "Evil Boyfriend" and Sequel Struggles
One of the sequel’s most talked-about elements was the reintroduction of a villainous ex-boyfriend, a plot point teased in trailers and reviews. While the first film leaned into Jodi’s self-esteem journey, Tall Girl 2 amped up the conflict, pitting her against a new romantic rival and reigniting old tensions. Some viewers criticized the sequel for retreading familiar ground, though others appreciated its attempt to deepen character arcs.
The film’s official trailer, released by Netflix, highlighted the heightened drama, with quick cuts of Jodi navigating love triangles, friendship betrayals, and the pressures of senior year. Whether the sequel’s twists landed with audiences remains a mixed bag, but the cast’s enthusiasm in promotions suggests they embraced the challenge of expanding the story.
**What’s Next for the Tall Girl Franchise?**
With Tall Girl 2 now streaming, the future of the franchise is unclear. The evidence doesn’t confirm plans for a third installment, though Michelle and the cast have expressed openness to returning if the story calls for it. For now, fans can revisit the sequel’s blend of humor, heart, and high school drama—flaws and all.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.