#TIFF26: “GIRL GROUP” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Girl Group feels like a spirited sequel to Pitch Perfect.

Tassie Young (Rebel Wilson who also Directs and Co-Writes) is a pop star who left her girl group, Gurlfriends, years ago to go solo. However, her ill-advised choices and obvious alcohol dependency has resulted in her being known as a burntout has-been. Fresh off her DUI, she is forced to do community service at a school and becomes a reluctant mentor to a group of girls starting their own group. When a competition to find the newest girl group rolls into town, Tassie enrols the girls and a glimmer of the life she once loved get reignited.

Girl Group includes that famous Hollywood formula that should make it a hit. We’ve got a down-and-out star trying to make a name for herself again. A group of young woman chasing their dreams. It’s funny, although some of the jokes fall a bit flat, and it’s got a killer soundtrack of nostalgic throwbacks and recent pop hits. Most importantly, Wilson’s heart is always in the right place. That being said, this is a very formulaic narrative we’ve seen before. Those looking for something new won’t find it here.

There is a strong comedic cast led by Wilson who brings empathy to the spirited Tassie. The group of young women in the girl group give memorable performances, however, these characters feel a lot like those we’ve already cared for in Pitch Perfect. The real comedic showstopper is Nicole Scherzinger who plays Tassie’s replacement when Gurlfriends decides to do a reunion tour. She leans fully into the absurdity of her character with great results.

Girl Group delivers an important message about how the music industry moulds its female pop-stars. Wilson doesn’t shy away from how girl groups were depicted in the media back in the 90s and drawing parallels to how they are today. There is always an emphasis on their external ‘beauty’ and the sexualization of them, regardless of how talented they are.

Girl Group screens at TIFF ’26:

Fri. Sept 11 @ 5:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Sat. Sept 12 @ 6:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Thur. Sept 17 @ 9:40 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sat. Sept 19 @ 7:30 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto