"Work It" is a 2020 American dance comedy film directed by Laura Terruso and written by Alison Peck. The film was produced by Alicia Keys, Leslie Morgenstein, and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton. It features actors Sabrina Carpenter, Liza Koshy, Keiynan Lonsdale, Michelle Buteau, and Jordan Fisher.

The story follows a group of high school students from different backgrounds as they work together to win the dance competition named "Work It."

The film was released on Netflix on August 7, 2020.

Plot

Quinn Ackerman, a high school senior known for her unique personality and strong intelligence, works as a technical director for the Thunderbirds, her school's top dance team. The Thunderbirds are famous in the state as winners of the Work It dance competition. Quinn accidentally causes a fire, and Julliard Pembroke, the strict leader of the Thunderbirds, fires her from her position.

Quinn wants to attend Duke University, which her late father attended. However, Veronica Ramirez, an admissions counselor, tells Quinn that her chances of standing out to the university are low. Quinn lies to Ramirez, saying she is a dancer for the Thunderbirds, even though she only handled lighting. Ramirez becomes excited and promises to see Quinn perform at the Work It competition.

Quinn decides not to tell Ramirez the truth. She asks her best friend, Jasmine Hale, who is a dancer for the Thunderbirds, to help her learn how to dance for the team’s open auditions in two weeks. Quinn improves her dancing skills, but Julliard still refuses to let her join the team.

After Jasmine defends Quinn to Julliard, he sarcastically suggests that Quinn and Jasmine start their own dance team. Quinn agrees, and Jasmine leaves the Thunderbirds to join Quinn’s new team.

Quinn and Jasmine research Jake Taylor, a former Work It champion who stopped dancing after a knee injury. Quinn finds Jake at a dance studio where he now works and asks him to be their choreographer. Jake refuses, saying dance should come from passion, not planning.

Quinn and Jasmine gather dancers from their school who have different styles. After seeing their potential during a practice session, Jake agrees to help them, but only if they qualify for the competition on their own. The team, using the name "TBD," wins a spot in the competition through a technicality.

Jake and Quinn spend more time together. One night, Jake teaches Quinn to dance freely, and her talent becomes clear. They share a kiss, and Quinn gains confidence, working harder on her dancing and teamwork.

Quinn emails Veronica to say she has started her own team and will compete at Work It. However, Julliard reports Quinn’s team for using the studio without paying, causing Jake to lose his job.

Quinn’s grades drop because of her focus on the team. She receives an email from Duke saying Veronica no longer works there. Quinn tells her mother everything, and they agree she should leave the team to improve her grades.

The team feels hurt by Quinn’s decision, especially Jasmine, who returns to the Thunderbirds. Quinn ends her relationship with Jake. Later, Quinn finds her love for dance again and reconciles with Jake. Jasmine quits the Thunderbirds and joins Quinn’s team again.

The team learns each other’s dance styles, and Jake uses them in their routines. On competition day, Quinn’s mother tries to stop her from leaving, but Quinn leaves anyway, saying she wants to follow her own dreams.

At the competition, the TBDs win against the Thunderbirds. Jasmine and Julliard are offered a chance to join a dance academy. Quinn meets Veronica, who now works at NYU, and is invited to apply for the fall semester.

Cast

• Sabrina Carpenter as Quinn Ackerman
• Liza Koshy as Jasmine Hale
• Keiynan Lonsdale as Julliard Pembroke
• Michelle Buteau as Veronica Ramirez
• Jordan Fisher as Jake Taylor
• Drew Ray Tanner as Charlie
• Jayne Eastwood as Ruthie (Nursing Home)
• Naomi Snieckus as Maria Ackerman
• Briana Andrade-Gomes as Trinity
• Kalliane Bremault as Brit Turner
• Bianca Asilo as Raven
• Neil Robles as Chris Royo
• Nathaniel Scarlette as DJ Tapes
• Tyler Hutchings as Robby G.
• Indiana Mehta as Priya Singh

Production

On April 2, 2019, Adam Fogelson from STX announced the film, with Alicia Keys helping to produce it. On May 2, 2019, it was announced that Sabrina Carpenter, Liza Koshy, and Keiynan Lonsdale would act in the film. Laura Terruso was named the director, and she would rewrite the movie based on a script written by Alison Peck. Elysa Koplovitz Dutton and Leslie Morgenstein from Alloy Entertainment, along with Keys, would help produce the film. On July 2, 2019, Drew Ray Tanner, Michelle Buteau, and Jordan Fisher joined the cast. It was also announced that Netflix would distribute the film, and Carpenter would help manage the movie's production.

Filming took place from June 2019 to August 2019 at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus). Additional filming occurred from August 2019 to September 2019 at the University of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, and from December 2019 at California State University, Northridge in Los Angeles.

Soundtrack

• "Let Me Move You" – Sabrina Carpenter
• "Wow" – Zara Larsson
• "Thinkin Bout You" – Ciara
• "I Am the Best" – 2NE1
• "Do It Like This" – Daphne Willis
• "Onset" – Haiku Hands featuring Mad Zach
• "Motivation" – Normani
• "Feeling It" – Danger Twins
• "Break My Heart" – Dua Lipa
• "Cool" – Dua Lipa
• "Get on Your Feet" – Gloria Estefan
• "Mess" – Jordan Fisher
• "Treat Myself" – Meghan Trainor

Release

The movie Work It was released by Netflix on August 7, 2020. It was the most watched movie during its first weekend, but then dropped to fifth place during its second weekend.

Reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 85% based on 26 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2 out of 10. On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 58 out of 100, based on nine critics, which means the reviews are mixed or average.