No rom-com does wit and teen angst like “10 Things I Hate About You”

Khloe Sullivan, Reporter

December 5, 2025

Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes

As soon as Heath Ledger was brought into a casting session for “10 Things I Hate About You,” director Gil Junger was inspired and knew Ledger had to play Patrick Verona, Dec. 3.

As someone who loves romantic comedies, especially ones built around the teenage experience, “10 Things I Hate About You” was one of the first rom-coms I watched and immediately fell in love with. The humor and emotional impact drew me in from the start.

Writing partners Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah took inspiration from William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” and turned the classic into a modern teenage story.

The rom-com, starring Heath Ledger as Patrick Verona and Julia Stiles as Kat Stratford, came out in 1999 and made approximately $60 million worldwide.

The writers, producers and directors thought of many people when trying to cast, but as soon as they met with Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger, they knew the roles were theirs.

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Unlike most teen rom-coms based around humor and the teenage experience the film goes deeper than that. The film does not just rely on humor to carry out the plot.

The writers decided to base the script of “10 Things I Hate About You,” off of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of The Shrew,” Dec. 3. (Courtesy of the Frida Cinema)

It shows the trials of being a teenager and figuring yourself out in a difficult setting while also changing some of your views and in Patrick and Kat’s case, falling for someone unexpectedly and how quickly that can happen.

“10 Things I Hate About You” follows a charming outsider who people are afraid of and a previously popular girl who is now seen as shrewd and, as Ms. Perky would say, a “heinous bitch.”

The movie starts with Kat in her car blasting “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, setting her apart from other girls and showing how she does not give a damn about her reputation.

After arriving at school, Kat shines in the classroom, where we learn how strong-willed she is and how she embodies feminist ideals. She is not afraid to speak her mind either, to the teacher or to her father.

Kat and Patrick are not the only relationship developed through the film.

We also see her popular, romance longing little sister Bianca struggle with being sheltered by their father when it comes to dating.

When their father suddenly implements a rule that she can date when her sister does, it seems impossible since Kat does not intend to date. This becomes a problem for the new transfer who falls for Bianca instantly. With the new rule, he sets out to find someone to date Kat so he can date Bianca.

After looking at multiple unusual candidates, Cameron finds Patrick, the charming bad boy that might be able to convince her.

After putting the plan in motion and paying Patrick to get Kat to date him, he takes a shot at her and gets shut down several times, which makes him work harder at getting to know her.

After many tries he finally gets her to see him differently. He takes care of her after she gets drunk at a party, but it is short lived when he rejects her kiss at the end of the night.

He makes it up to her in one of the most iconic rom-com musical gesture, sliding down a firepole and singing Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” as he dances and runs from the police.

Their relationship continues to develop. He asks her to prom where she says no but changes her mind after seeing how desperately her sister wants to go.

The writers Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith were inspired to write “10 Things I Hate About You,” after watching “Clueless,” Dec. 3. (Courtesy of People)

At prom, the bet comes to light, and Kat and Patrick break up after he becomes someone she did not think he was.

Back at school Kat delivers my second favorite monologue ever in the form of a poem, listing the 10 things she hates about Patrick then revealing she really does not hate him, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

The movie ends with Kat opening her car to the guitar Patrick saw her playing in the store as an apology for everything while confessing he has fallen for her.

Not only is the story perfect for the time period it portrays, but the way it is shot gives a raw and emotional feeling from close-ups, while the use of wide shots helps establish the characters and settings. The music choices are perfectly picked.

The use of Semisonic’s “F.N.T.” captures exactly what the characters show, letting viewers see how love can simply be discovering who someone is and watching it grow into a fascinating new thing.

Needless to say, this film is full of humor and witty dialogue when exploring romantic relationships and rich and deep when exploring family dynamics, which is why it ranks second on my top romantic comedies of all time list.