Re-Election is a feel-good comedy that is fully entertaining throughout, before it sneaks up on you in the end, so have those tissues handy.
Re-Election (2025) delivers a back-to-school comedy that manages to be both a hilarious throwback and a deeply moving movie on what it means to truly grow up. This one is sneaky, so be sure to have tissues on hand as you approach the final moments.
After losing a high-stakes race for class president in 1995, Jimmy Bauer (Adam Saunders) didn’t just lose a title – he lost his momentum, eventually dropping out and spending the next thirty years in a state of arrested development. This film follows him as he returns to school, determined to finish first this time.
We meet Jimmy in his 40s, working in a sports memorabilia store owned by his father (played by the legendary Tony Danza). Surrounded by relics of other people’s victories, Jimmy decides he’s had enough of being the underdog. This is when he decides to return to high school, earn his missing credits, and win the very election that derailed his life three decades ago.
While the “grown man in high school” trope has been explored before, Re-Election avoids the mean-spiritedness that often appears in these films. Instead, it leans into the absurdity of the generational gap with a sharp, modern wit that feels fresh rather than forced.
A Balancing Act: Comedy Meets Heart
The film’s greatest strength lies in its ability to sneak up on you. What begins as a goofy premise about a man-child trying to out-maneuver teenagers quickly evolves into an emotional journey.
Adam Saunders pulls off a difficult quadruple-threat as star, writer, producer, and director. His performance as Jimmy is anchored in a relatable vulnerability; he isn’t just a guy looking for a trophy, he’s a man looking for a reason to believe in himself again.
Patty Guggenheim and Kym Whitley provide much of the film’s levity. Their chemistry brings a high-energy, improvisational feel to the screen. Whitley, in particular, shines in a role of authority that allows her to be delightfully mean while maintaining the film’s core warmth.
While the 90s nostalgia is a major draw, the film’s heart belongs to Noa, played by Bex Taylor-Klaus. Noa is a Gen-Alpha student who becomes Jimmy’s friend and mentor in the ways of the modern world.
Taylor-Klaus delivers a standout performance as a non-binary character who is immensely capable and self-assured, yet still finding their own path. The relationship between Jimmy and Noa isn’t just a plot device; it’s a bridge between two generations who both feel like outsiders. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Jimmy isn’t just teaching Noa about life – Noa is teaching Jimmy how to exist in the present instead of the past.
It is impossible to discuss Re-Election without mentioning Tony Danza. Playing Jimmy’s father, Danza brings a grounded energy to the film. His presence adds a layer of prestige and old-school charm that balances the film’s high-energy comedic sequences.
Overall Thoughts
Re-Election is that rare breed of independent film: a feel-good movie that doesn’t shy away from real emotion. It tackles modern themes, from gender-neutral bathrooms to the crushing pressure of social media, with a curiosity and acceptance that is rarely seen in mainstream comedies.
By the time the credits roll, you might find yourself surprised by a few tears. It’s a film that reminds us that while we can’t go back and change our 17-year-old selves, we can always choose to be better versions of our 40-year-old selves.
About Re-Election
High school haunts everyone, in one way or another. For Jimmy Bauer (writer-producer-director ADAM SAUNDERS), it was losing the race for class president during his senior year back in 1995, which caused him to drop out.
Now a 40-something underdog stuck working in a memorabilia store owned by his dad (TV comedy icon TONY DANZA), Jimmy decides to go back to school for his missing class credits — and win the election he’s sure will make his life right. But after 30 years, things have changed a bit, and with the help of his new Gen-Alpha friend Noa (BEX TAYLOR-KLAUS) and former classmate-turned-girlfriend Ama (NATHALIE KELLEY), Jimmy learns that it’s not how we start a journey that matters — it’s how we finish it.
Re-Election is now available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV.