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Music comedy

Work It (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Work It (2020) movie poster

Work It is a 2020 music comedy directed by Laura Terruso, starring Sabrina Carpenter as Quinn Ackerman, Naomi Snieckus and Keiynan Lonsdale. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
Echo Score
68
Metascore
58
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Work It (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Laura Terruso
Genres
Comedy , Music
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Work It About?

The premise of Work It without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A determined but awkward teenager decides to join her high school dance team despite having no experience. To achieve her goal, she undergoes rigorous training and enlists the help of a former champion. Through dedication and perseverance, she discovers confidence and learns valuable lessons about teamwork and self-belief, all while preparing for a crucial dance competition.

Work It Themes & Keywords

· 28 tags
  • gay
  • gay character
  • dance
  • reference to cardi b
  • dance music
  • bare chested male
  • female protagonist
  • dance competition
  • handsome man
  • sexual desire
  • dancing
  • learning to dance
+16 more
  • sexual fantasy
  • imagination
  • blonde
  • effeminate male
  • dance performance
  • man with pink hair
  • arrogant man
  • arrogance
  • pink hair
  • african american as villain
  • college
  • group
  • black man white woman kiss
  • black man white woman relationship
  • black man white woman romance
  • erection
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Cast & crew

Work It Cast & Characters

Sabrina Carpenter leads the cast as Quinn Ackerman, with Naomi Snieckus as Maria Ackerman and Keiynan Lonsdale as Julliard Pembroke. Directed by Laura Terruso; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Work It

· 6 more
Ratings

Work It Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Work It 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (45).

68 /100

Work It Echo Score Breakdown

Work It offers an enjoyable yet familiar dance-romance experience, with spirited choreography and a friendly cast offset by predictable plotting. Across numerous reviews, the energetic dance montages and charismatic leads are consistently praised for sustaining momentum in lieu of narrative innovation. However, the story’s lack of originality and occasional underdeveloped production elements temper its impact. The film’s blend of strengths in performance and movement against recurring clichés results in an engaging but modestly memorable outing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, Work It presents generally solid visual execution and production elements with occasional restraints. Reviews acknowledge the efficient pacing and clear framing during dance sequences, while noting a somewhat modest production design and limited use of visual texture. The result is a clean but unremarkable art direction overall.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from likable performances and engaging on-screen chemistry. Observers highlight charismatic leads and playful banter that sustain viewer interest, despite some criticism of a chemistry-less romantic subplot. The emotional beats remain accessible and enjoyable, creating a friendly rapport even when deeper character arcs are largely unexplored.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, Work It delivers a straightforward underdog narrative with measured pacing but minimal surprises. Many accounts point to a lack of originality in plot structure and predictable story turns, though occasional curveballs and dialogue flourishes offer brief engagement. Overall, the narrative maintains functional coherence but struggles to transcend genre conventions.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the film shines in its energetic dance sequences and upbeat musical selections. Critics and viewers alike applaud the spirited montages and cohesive audiovisual styling that uphold the film’s vivacity. Some critiques point to missed opportunities for more elaborate choreographic set pieces, but the overall sound design and visual rhythm remain compelling.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When considering rewatch factor, Work It provides consistent entertainment through its lively performances and catchy dance routines. Many note that its fun atmosphere and accessible humor encourage repeat viewings, although reliance on familiar tropes may lessen its long-term novelty. The film’s approachable charm supports moderate replay value.

Plot

Work It Plot Summary

What happens in Work It from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Quinn Ackerman is a sharp, inventive high school senior who serves as the technical director for the Thunderbirds, her school’s elite dance team, renowned across the state for their Work It championships. A mishap during a rehearsal leads to a risky blaze of misjudgment, and the team’s fearless leader, Julliard Pembroke, makes the call to cut her from her post. The setback hits hard as Quinn learns that a dream she’s quietly guarded—earning a spot at Duke University, her late father’s alma mater—may slip away. The admissions counselor, Veronica Ramirez, bluntly conveys that Quinn’s odds are slim, threatening to close the door on the future she’s imagined.

Full summary

The whole story of Work It, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Work It Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Work It.

Work It starring Sabrina Carpenter & Liza Koshy | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Work It?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the elite dance team at Quinn's high school?

Details

Work It Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Work It: Al ritmo de los sueños” and “Dançarina Imperfeita”.

Also known as
  • Work It: Al ritmo de los sueños
  • Dançarina Imperfeita
  • 飙舞追梦
  • اجتهدي!
  • בתוך הקצב
  • Wytańcz to
  • Шаг за шагом
  • 워크 잇
  • Mákni!
  • Más ritmusra
  • 飆舞追夢
  • Work It ~輝けわたし!~
+6 more
  • Зроби це
  • Vũ Công Cần Mẫn
  • Netobula šokėja
  • เวิร์ค อิท: เต้นเพื่อฝัน
  • 我要跳入 U
  • Arata-le ce poti

Seen Work It?

FAQ

Work It FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Work It, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Work It?

Work It runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Work It released?

Work It was released on August 7, 2020.

Who directed Work It?

Work It was directed by Laura Terruso.

More films by Laura Terruso

Who is in the cast of Work It?

Work It stars Sabrina Carpenter as Quinn Ackerman, Naomi Snieckus as Maria Ackerman and Keiynan Lonsdale as Julliard Pembroke, among 10 credited actors.

How is Work It rated?

Work It has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Does Work It have a post-credit scene?

No. Work It has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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