Prom Pact
Prom Pact is a 2023 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Anya Adams, starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee as high school senior Mandy Yang and Milo Manheim as her best friend Ben.[1][2] The story centers on the two outsiders amid the hype of prom season, where they face elaborate "promposals" from peers and ultimately form a pact to attend prom together, sparking unexpected romantic developments.[3] Premiering on Disney Channel on March 30, 2023, and streaming on Disney+ from March 31, the film features supporting performances by Margaret Cho and emphasizes themes of friendship and self-discovery in a high school setting.[4] It received a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb from over 3,600 users and an 89% approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on limited reviews, praised for its lighthearted take on teen rituals but critiqued for formulaic elements.[1][2]Synopsis
Plot Summary
High school senior Mandy Yang, an overachieving student singularly focused on attending Harvard University, faces a setback when her early decision application is deferred.[5] Seeking advice from her school counselor, Ms. Chen, Mandy learns that Ivy League admissions value evidence of social engagement and extracurricular balance alongside academic excellence.[2] To demonstrate this, she recruits her platonic best friend and fellow outsider Ben—a socially awkward teen uninterested in typical high school cliques—to collaborate on an elaborate, viral promposal designed to impress admissions committees and showcase her well-roundedness.[5][6] Complications arise as Ben develops a crush on Avery, a academically driven new transfer student from London who initially dismisses prom as a distraction from her goals.[2] Mandy, protective of their friendship and their longstanding pact to sidestep superficial prom culture, subtly sabotages Ben's efforts to pursue Avery while fending off advances from popular student Jason, whom she considers only strategically for her image.[5] As prom night nears and emotions intensify, Mandy grapples with her own emerging romantic feelings for Ben, forcing her to confront whether prioritizing her Harvard ambitions will cost her their bond or if genuine vulnerability can coexist with her drive for success.[6][5] The narrative culminates in revelations about friendship, self-discovery, and the pressures of high school rituals, challenging the duo to redefine their pact amid budding romances and personal growth.[2]Cast and Characters
Principal Performers
Peyton Elizabeth Lee stars as Mandy Yang, the determined high school senior who leads a protest for inclusive prom access after discovering the event's discriminatory history.[1] [2] Milo Manheim portrays Ben Plunkett, Mandy's loyal best friend and fellow outsider who supports her activism while navigating his own prom aspirations.[1] [7] Blake Draper plays Graham Lansing, a popular student and romantic interest entangled in the prom controversy.[1] [7] Monique A. Green embodies LaToya Reynolds, Mandy's friend involved in the group's efforts to challenge school traditions.[1] [7] Arica Himmel depicts Zenobia, another key ally in the protest, contributing to the ensemble's dynamic of youthful rebellion.[1] [7]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Peyton Elizabeth Lee | Mandy Yang |
| Milo Manheim | Ben Plunkett |
| Blake Draper | Graham Lansing |
| Monique A. Green | LaToya Reynolds |
| Arica Himmel | Zenobia |