Netflix's 2022 comedy Senior Year takes a look at what it really means to want to be popular and how that can affect someone's entire life. While many movies feature main characters who go on journeys and learn how to be kinder by the time that the end credits roll, that's not the case with everyone in this film.
From Stephanie Conway's teenage and adult selves to the people who she interacts with in her past and present, some characters in Senior Year are easy to like and others are too focused on looking good and being the center of attention.
Blaine Balbo
Both as a high schooler and adult, Blaine is a terrible person who only cares about looking good and being popular. He doesn't go on a journey of self-discovery like Stephanie does and, instead, only seems to double down on his conceited personality.
When Blaine still seems interested in Stephanie despite the fact that he's married with a child, audiences can see that he's never going to change and that Stephanie should run far away. Blaine is the least likable person in the movie.
Tiff Blanchette-Balbo
The best teen movies include a rivalry between a popular girl and someone who wants to fill those shoes, as this creates dramatic tension and also the possibility of a redemption arc for the person who wanted to be liked by everyone.
Although Tiffany and Stephanie are nicer to each other at the end of Senior Year, Tiff never really changes her ways, instead continuing her dislike and poor treatment of Stephanie even into adulthood. Tiff tries to ruin Stephanie's after prom party by calling the police and is mean to her throughout the entire movie.
Teenage Stephanie Conway
Since Stephanie is shown as both a high schooler and thirtysomething, these two parts of herself are like separate characters, and her teenage self is definitely tough to like.
Stephanie doesn't realize that she already has the best friends she could dream of in Martha and Seth and that pretending to be someone else so she can be popular is a bad idea. She's single minded in her quest to be well-liked and doesn't care who she hurts in the process.
Bri Balbo
Stephanie meets Blaine and Tiff's daughter Bri, who is an influencer going by the name BriLuvs, on her first day back at her old high school. It's instantly clear that Bri rules the school and everyone is in awe of her style and life.
While Bri isn't mean like her mom is, she is just as caught up in popularity and likes as Tiff, if not more so because now she lives her life online. Bri seems to be making the same mistakes that Tiff and Stephanie did.
Adult Stephanie Conway
There are many '90s and 2000s references in Senior Year, and since Stephanie still loves the music of her youth in her 30s since she thinks that it's still 2002, she loves dancing along to pop songs. Stephanie also still maintains the same desire to be popular that she had before, perhaps even more so because she decides to repeat her senior year and win the title of Prom Queen.
While thirtysomething Stephanie is a bit kinder than she was in her teenage years, she's still obsessed with looks and clothes and things that don't matter as much as being a good person and showing others comion. Stephanie does learn her lesson by the movie's end, but it takes a while to get there.
Jim Conway
Stephanie's father Jim is one of the sweetest characters in Senior Year and his story arc is heartfelt and easy to like.
Jim has always struggled to raise Stephanie after losing his wife, and he just wants to do the right thing. When Stephanie comes out of her coma, Jim tries to help her as much as he can, even buying her an iPhone so she can feel cool and stay in touch with her friends. Audiences feel badly for Jim as he's doing the best that he can and Stephanie isn't always fair to him.
Martha Reiser
In some ways, Senior Year can be seen as a movie about friendship as Martha and Stephanie's relationships lasts for several decades. Martha is intelligent and kind in high school and adulthood, and she helps Stephanie despite Stephanie taking advantage of her.
When Stephanie throws a party at Martha's lake house and doesn't treat her with respect, audiences feel badly for Martha and like her even more. Martha has a good head on her shoulders and always tries to do the right thing.
Janet
Stephanie meets Janet and Yaz in the cafeteria and then finds out that they're cheerleaders, but instead of being the coolest and most popular people at school, they're seen as anything but. Stephanie is shocked but this but she appreciates how sweet Janet and Yaz are.
Janet is one of the most well-crafted characters as she's confident and enjoys her high school life and friendship with Yaz. In contrast to Stephanie, Janet doesn't need to be popular and doesn't care what people think.
Yaz
The main setting in Senior Year is an interesting and memorable movie high school and Yaz and Janet show Stephanie how things have changed in the time since she has been a student.
Yaz is one of the most likable and smartest characters and, like Janet, knows that there are more important things than being seen as cool in high school. Yaz and Janet are a crucial part of Stephanie's journey, even if she doesn't realize it at first.
Seth Novacelik
Seth is the kindest person in Senior Year, becoming close friends with Stephanie in high school and still being there for her when she comes out of her coma at 37.
Whether Seth is chatting with Stephanie on her first day at school and showing her comion, or feeling badly when he sees Blaine kiss Stephanie, Seth is always a character to root for and hope that he finds happiness. Watching Stephanie and Seth find love at the end of the movie is heartwarming.
