As the Valentine’s season draws near, romantic comedy movies tend to be a popular category, and "10 Things I Hate About You" is a prominent forerunner for a more modern spin on the classic genre. The film follows the two Stratford sisters: abrasive and antisocial Kat (Julia Stiles) and popular and yearner-for-romance Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). When their strict father says Bianca can’t date until Kat does, two of their peers, Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Michael (David Krumholtz), do whatever they can to find Kat her ideal mate.
One of the reasons I adore this film is because it’s a modern take on Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew." I personally am a big fan of retellings when they’re done correctly, and I really enjoy how "10 Things I Hate About You" turns the 1594 play into a fun 90s movie.
It’s also not super obvious that the film’s adapted from the play, with the only reference I noticed being Michael referring to Kat as “the shrew” when Cameron sees her on his first day. I already enjoyed the movie without learning where the idea came from, and this just gives me another reason to like it.
My favorite part by far is Kat’s personality. She is an independent and fierce feminist who refuses to conform to a misogynistic society, yet her softer and more vulnerable side shines through as she falls for Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), the man who is paid to go on dates with her. The reveal that Patrick was not authentic with his intentions was heartbreaking, because Kat had finally let someone truly see her.
Even after these two end up together genuinely, I like that they don’t completely change Kat’s personality like they did in the Shakespeare play. This is definitely my favorite rom-com just because Kat is more personally relatable to me and she isn’t just some damsel-in-distress like a lot of other female leads in romance stories.
I also enjoy the fashion in this movie. Other than her two-piece prom dress, I found myself wanting Bianca’s closest for myself. I also like how differently the sisters are styled, highlighting their opposite personalities through costuming. Kat is mainly in darker colors, while Bianca wears a lot of white and pink, emphasizing the fact that one sister wishes for a romantic lifestyle while the other is extremely off.
The only thing I really don’t like about this film is how silly Cameron’s feelings for Bianca are. He sees her walk by one time and does anything he possibly can to have her, which I don’t buy at all. Kat and Patrick’s love story is built on connection and them seeing each other as more than just their scary and intimidating personas. Bianca and Cameron just don’t have the same connection in my opinion, and their story cannot live up to that of their counterparts.
Overall, I rate this film a 4/5.
This movie is absolutely popular for a reason and I really enjoy the 90s charm it possesses. If anyone needs a fun film for Valentine’s Day, I absolutely recommend "10 Things I Hate About You." It is currently available to watch on Hulu, YouTube TV, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and other smaller streaming services.
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Amelia Gatzke, freshman majoring in psychology, is from Huntsville, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
