If I were a television executive, particularly one at a large streaming platform with a teen network, I would seriously consider rebooting Zoey 101. This beloved tween series, which aired from 2005 to 2008 and starred Jamie Lynn Spears as a boarding school student in Malibu, holds a special place in the hearts of late millennials who grew up watching Nickelodeon. Unfortunately, the show’s premature ending, which coincided with Jamie Lynn’s unexpected pregnancy at 16, left fans feeling unsatisfied. Many believed that her off-screen scandal negatively impacted the series. As a 14-year-old myself at the time, this was a shocking event that left a lasting impression.
In other words, there is a valid argument for the reboot of Zoey 101. It’s only natural for a streaming service to try to tap into the nostalgia factor and revive anything that was once popular. However, this endeavor is ultimately doomed to fail. The attempt to rewrite Zoey’s story and give it a happy ending seems forced and long overdue, especially considering that the cast has already moved on and are now in their mid-30s. Jamie Lynn Spears herself is now 32. At worst, the reboot tries too hard to recapture the magic of the past, resulting in cringe-inducing moments.
This is particularly evident in Zoey’s character, who now works as a producer on a reality show similar to Love Island. Her entire adult life revolves around her high school sweetheart, Chase Matthews, whom she lost touch with years ago after she ghosted him. Zoey’s obsession with Chase is what has driven her to lose touch with her friends and throw herself into a toxic job. The movie attempts to catch us up with the other characters from Pacific Coast Academy, Zoey’s alma mater, by showing us their Instagram pages set to the music of Charli XCX and Kacey Musgraves. The only moment that feels remotely adult is when it is revealed that PCA closed due to an embezzlement scandal.
Desperate to get ahead at work, Zoey finds herself double-booked for a live finale taping and her best friend Quinn’s wedding. To impress Chase, who now has a serious girlfriend, she hires an actor to play her boyfriend. Predictably, complications arise, including forced karaoke and a self-driving car. The movie tries to recreate the charm of the original series, with its slapstick humor and aspirational elements, but falls short. The addition of holographic smartphones feels like a desperate attempt to modernize the story. Although the movie showcases scenic shots of Malibu and Pepperdine University, it still feels like it was filmed in North Carolina rather than the original setting.
Unfortunately, the nostalgia factor in Zoey 101: The Movie is weak and unconvincing. The lack of quality acting, which was never a strong point of the original show, further diminishes its appeal. Like many millennial nostalgia reboots, it gets trapped in the awkward transition to adulthood. It’s too sanitized and immature for the original audience, while also failing to resonate with today’s tweens. A scene in which Zoey takes a brooding drive in Malibu while listening to Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u” highlights the ongoing adolescence of the entire project.
If anything, this reboot only made me long for the cancelled Lizzie McGuire revival that was deemed too adult for Disney. Perhaps it’s for the best. As a fan, I’ve come to realize that most of these nostalgia reboots are better left as nostalgic ideas rather than actual products.
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