Teens Brand American Pie ‘Deeply Problematic’

Gen Z is watching the movie “American Pie” for the first time and they’re facing major issues with its content.

Released in 1999, “American Pie” quickly became a hit comedy, spawning four sequels.

Collectively, the “American Pie” franchise raked in $990 million globally on a modest budget of $147 million.

While the series is celebrated for its crude and raunchy humor, today’s teenagers argue that it wouldn’t be well-received in the current climate.

Critics of Gen Z’s views have voiced their opinions online, with one commenter saying, “That’s funny. I find ‘woke teens’ extremely problematic.”

Another person expressed: “If I don’t like something on TV or a movie I just don’t watch it because there are probably millions of other people who enjoy it so get over it get a life and grow up.”

A third supporter of the film added: “Who cares about their poor soft sensitive feelings!!! It’s a classic movie, absolutely hilarious!!”

Gen Z is watching American Pie for the first time, and having major problems with the movie.Credit: Universal Pictures

The movie’s problematic elements have been scrutinized before.

Shannon Elizabeth, known for her role as Nadia, the exchange student in “American Pie,” discussed a particular scene with Page Six.

The scene in question shows her character, Nadia, being unknowingly observed by Jim (Jason Biggs), Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), and Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) as she undresses.

Tragically, Nadia’s privacy is further violated when the footage is accidentally shared with her entire school.

Following the incident, Nadia is deported back to the Czech Republic, while the boys responsible face no consequences.

Reflecting on the scene, Elizabeth remarked: “If this had come out after the #MeToo movement, there would definitely be a problem. I think that it would have gone down differently.”

She also mentioned that filming the scene was uncomfortable, especially since she was new to the industry.

This isn’t the first time the poorly aged aspects of American Pie have hit the headlines.Credit: Universal Pictures

Elizabeth remembered: “It was a closed set and it was just me in this room and the boom guy above me.

“That’s the main thing I remember, just me and the boom guy, and trying to make jokes with the directors and make light of it because if I wasn’t nervous maybe they wouldn’t be so nervous… I just tried to make it no big deal.”

Seann William Scott, who played Stifler, also believes that “American Pie” would face significant hurdles if produced today.

In an interview with Jake’s Takes, Scott said: “You know, I was having a conversation with a friend the other day, I was like, ‘You could never make American Pie these days.'”

He added: “Some of the stuff in that movie, you would get arrested and probably go to jail for a long time if you did it.

“I think a lot of the broader comedies, a lot of the stuff that gave me a career, I don’t see there ever being an appetite for those sort of movies again.

“I mean, I could be wrong. It feels like people, myself included, appreciate more of a witty, smart humor and good writing as opposed to just something kind of over-the-top.”

Seann William Scott, who played the iconic character Stifler in the series, said the jokes from that film could get you ‘arrested’ and ‘sent to jail.’Credit: Universal Pictures

Gen Z’s reaction seems to align with the perspectives of these “American Pie” actors.

In a 2020 experiment by Vice, Gen Z’s views on nostalgic movies like “American Pie” were explored.

Teenagers aged 16 to 19 commented on the film, revealing a shift in how relationships are viewed.

Taylor, 16, doubted the film’s realism: “I don’t know if that was realistic when the film came out, but I think men treat women with a lot more respect and equality now.”

Olivia, 18, criticized it more harshly: “It’s bordering on incel attitudes. I think if you were a teenage boy watching this you’d basically feel entitled to behave however you wanted to towards women.”

Hannah, 17, focused on a specific problematic scene: “The part where Jim and the other male characters film the foreign exchange student in his room is deeply problematic.

“The film doesn’t even question the morality of doing this, it makes it seem like a joke and that the dudes are all ‘legends’ for getting the plan to work.

“It’s a huge violation of privacy and definitely a s**ual offense for Jim to film her, let alone to then share that with his friends. There’s no way a teen film made now would allow it.”