The Prom (film)

The Prom is a 2020 American musical comedy film directed by Ryan Murphy and adapted from the 2018 Broadway musical of the same name. The film follows the story of Dee Dee Allen and Barry Glickman, two Broadway stars whose careers are failing after their latest show is a critical and commercial disaster. Seeking to rehabilitate their public image, they latch onto the cause of Emma Nolan, a high school student in Indiana whose prom is canceled by the PTA because she wants to bring her girlfriend as her date.

Along with fellow actors Angie Dickinson and Trent Oliver, Dee Dee and Barry travel to Indiana to support Emma. However, their self-absorbed activism clashes with the local community and creates unexpected complications. The film explores themes of acceptance, prejudice, celebrity activism, and the importance of community.

The film features a cast including Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Keegan-Michael Key, Kerry Washington, and newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman as Emma. The Prom premiered on Netflix on December 11, 2020, and received mixed reviews, with praise for its performances and musical numbers but criticism for its tone and handling of sensitive social issues.