Forget what you think you know about Disney Channel Original Movies. The newest installment “Prom Pact” is a far cry from “High School Musical” or “Camp Rock.” 

Soaked through with lukewarm 80s nostalgia more akin to Party City’s vision of the decade and crafted for a generation who was not alive for the 80s, the film swings between surprising charm and cringeworthy cheesiness. However, seeing as it’s a high school rom-com, maybe a little cheesiness isn’t a bad thing.  

Instead of being targeted at kids, this movie seems to be shooting for an older demographic, going so far as to include such edgy content as cussing and talk of sex. It’s still pretty clean especially compared to other high school rom-coms, but if you’re a fan of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” or “The Kissing Booth,” “Prom Pact” will be just up your alley.  

The plot follows Mandy, a too-school-for-cool student struggling to get into Harvard. She befriends the most popular boy in school in order to get a recommendation letter from his senator dad to get into college, and hijinks and misunderstanding ensue against the backdrop of prom season and a frenzy of 80s themed “promposals.”  

Mandy’s crush Graham is surprisingly charming, and her best friend Ben’s romantic subplot with LaToya is cute. 

While not the best rom-com out there, “Prom Pact” is still a fun watch. While it is cliched in some aspects like its central plot, the film does show some refreshing divergence from typical rom-com norms. Including a good amount of LGBTQ characters and subtle inclusion of consent between characters for kissing, hand holding and the likes, the film had some good additions to the rom-com genre.   

It’s not the best movie of the year by any stretch, but it’s a fun watch if you’re looking for something enjoyable and upbeat.