YOU GET ME (2017)

Release Date: June 19, 2017
Director: Brent Bonacorso
Starring: Bella Thorne, Taylor John Smith, Halston Sage, Anna Akana

I stumbled into You Get Me on Netflix, courtesy of their ever-curious algorithm. One scroll, and suddenly, it’s suggested I watch this. It’s like Netflix knew I was overdue for a teen drama-thriller mashup. Skeptical? Absolutely. But sometimes, you just have to give in to the Netflix “Recommendations” list.

So, here’s the deal: You Get Me serves up the classic Fatal Attraction scenario, only with high schoolers in California and a lot more Instagram filters. Tyler (Taylor John Smith) is our leading man, who lands himself in hot water after cheating on his girlfriend, Alison (Halston Sage). Why the slip-up? Apparently, Alison’s moving at her own pace, which is slower than Tyler’s, and nothing fuels teenage impulse quite like frustration.

The Setup: When “Rebound” Becomes “Restraint Order”

Things spiral when Tyler, fresh off a spat with Alison, meets Holly (Bella Thorne), a girl who’s equal parts mysterious and all too interested in him. After a night out together that’s a little too perfect, Tyler wakes up to regret it all. But Holly’s not about to become a casual memory—she’s laser-focused on making sure Tyler remembers her. And, of course, she’s more than ready to ruin his life if he doesn’t.

Holly inserts herself everywhere. She shows up at school, casually taking over Tyler’s life, pretending it’s all normal and that she’s his new best friend. This is where the stakes go from a high school love triangle to something out of a twisted rom-com gone wrong. Holly’s not just interested in Tyler; she’s obsessed with him, and she’s about to make sure no one—not even his girlfriend—gets in her way.

The Cast: Disney Star Turns Thriller Stalker

Bella Thorne as Holly is actually a solid fit for the role. She nails the character’s blend of charm and unhinged obsession. For those familiar with her early Disney roles, seeing her in this darker, off-kilter character is a little jarring at first, but she pulls it off. Thorne has moved past her Disney days, embracing these more complex, unpolished roles, and it’s worth noting she’s made a decent transition.

Taylor John Smith as Tyler holds his own, too, as the guy who seems one part panicked and another part completely clueless about the storm brewing around him. His performance is believable as the typical high school guy who’s too in over his head to make smart choices. Halston Sage as Alison, the oblivious girlfriend, plays the part convincingly, though her role feels like more of a “plot accessory” than an actual character. But hey, not every character needs depth in a thriller, right?

The Obsession: Drama or Just Disturbing?

If you’re watching You Get Me for its thriller vibes, there’s a steady build-up of tension that actually works. Holly is a wild card, unpredictable and increasingly dangerous. One minute she’s winning over Tyler’s friends; the next, she’s threatening him, hinting at what she might do if he doesn’t fall in line. What starts as simple teenage jealousy spirals into full-on obsession, with Holly’s grip on Tyler’s life getting tighter and tighter.

In the grand tradition of thrillers, Holly’s relentless pursuit turns the movie’s tone from teen romance to stalker-thriller. There’s something both cringe-worthy and fascinating about watching her determination; her manipulation isn’t subtle, but it’s effective. Every encounter is dripping with tension, and you get the feeling that something terrible could happen at any moment.

The Plot: Predictable, but Just Engaging Enough

Sure, You Get Me isn’t rewriting the thriller handbook. It sticks to a pretty familiar plotline, and if you’ve seen Fatal Attraction, Swimfan, or any movie where a one-night stand turns dangerous, you know exactly where this is headed. Holly’s obsession with Tyler escalates in predictable ways—classroom confrontations, whispered threats, and that good old-fashioned thriller favorite: breaking into houses.

But there’s a certain appeal in the film’s simplicity. It’s like the kind of roller coaster that doesn’t twist and turn too much but still gives you a rush. The movie’s strength lies in its straightforward commitment to the genre. The suspense keeps you hanging on, even if you know how things will turn out.

Production Value: A Pleasant Surprise

I have to hand it to the team here—You Get Me doesn’t look like a typical low-budget thriller. The cinematography is surprisingly slick, and the California backdrop makes the film feel sun-soaked and dreamy, even while the drama gets darker. The soundtrack, with its catchy beats, keeps the energy high, playing up the juxtaposition of this seemingly perfect world crumbling around Tyler. The visuals don’t scream “Netflix original,” which, for a film like this, is actually a compliment.

The Ending: A Thriller, After All

By the final act, You Get Me fully embraces its darker side. Holly’s obsession reaches a peak, and the film goes from suspenseful to outright tense. There’s a sense that she’s crossed a line, and the movie’s tone shifts as Tyler realizes just how deep into the situation he’s fallen. The plot twist, if you can call it that, is Holly’s escalating willingness to do anything to hold onto Tyler.

The ending doesn’t exactly surprise, but it delivers the thrills it promises. Holly’s character goes from mildly obsessive to dangerously erratic, and it all concludes with the kind of inevitable showdown that’s both predictable and satisfying. There’s a sense of relief as everything winds down, but also that lingering unease that the best thrillers leave behind.

Final Thoughts: A Decent Ride with Familiar Thrills

So, is You Get Me going to win any awards? Definitely not. But is it entertaining? Surprisingly, yes. For a movie that plays within the boundaries of its genre, it’s well-executed, enjoyable, and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s a solid entry in the teen-thriller category, with decent performances, especially from Thorne, who’s showing she can bring more depth to the screen than her early roles suggested.

If you’re in the mood for something light and a little twisted, give You Get Me a try. You won’t find groundbreaking cinema, but you will get 90 minutes of enjoyable, well-shot suspense. Just maybe watch it with the lights on—and be glad your own dating life is (hopefully) less dramatic.

My final rating? ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6/10).