Films transport audiences to various locations all around the world. From tropical getaways, desolate deserts and wilderness, to metropolitan cities such as New York and Los Angeles, audiences vicariously experience the aesthetic of the settings and their fictional citizens. There’s something especially compelling about exploring the intimacy of a Midwest community, from its emphasis on family values, the coming-of-age experience, and its taboos. In honor of Midwest backdrops in films, here are 10 movies that perfectly encompass the Midwest aesthetic.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Chicago
This quintessential ’80s movie has Matthew Broderick portraying the diplomatic Ferris Bueller, who manages to skip school one last time before graduation. Bueller’s day consists of adventuring through his Chicago suburb with his girlfriend, Sloane, and best friend, Cameron. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off captures the Midwest aesthetic as Bueller and company as they visit museums, attend a Chicago Cubs game, and go to a local parade, all while driving Cameron’s father’s coveted Ferrari. Broderick’s carefree performance embodies the Midwest attitude that many ’80s youths exhibited at the time.
Juno (2007) – Minnesota
Fast-forward 21 years, and Juno has Elliot Page portraying Juno MacGruff, a teen with a big decision to make: what to do with their unborn child. As Juno goes through the ups and downs of pregnancy, they are faced with a small-town mentality regarding their pregnancy, and the drastic shift from living out their high school days without a care in the world to dealing with the biggest burden of their teenage life. Juno hits home for anyone who’s been the subject of Midwest gossip and scrutiny.
Heathers (1989) – Ohio
Many consider Heathers the inspiration for Mean Girls, and in many ways, it is. Murder and sadistic plotting aside, both Mean Girls and Heathers hold the same overarching, Midwest theme: popularity. The Heathers are willing to do whatever it takes to outdo themselves and reign supreme at Westerburg High School. Of course, just like in any Midwest setting, fashion, sex, and music culture drive the attitudes of the morally decrepit protagonists presented in Heathers.
Halloween (1978) – Illinois
Halloween and Midwest culture are synonymous. That’s what makes Michael Myers such an effective horror villain. Halloween’s Midwest suburbia cannot fathom bloodshed in its contained community, specifically towards its youth. What sells the Midwest aesthetic are the performances by Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes, and PJ Soles as the teenage trio targeted by Myers; they spend their Halloween day planning, laughing, and indulging in harmless antics without suspecting bloodshed is headed their way.
The Fault In Our Stars (2014) – Indianapolis
Based on the novel by John Green, The Fault in Our Stars follows the story of two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who are out to make the most of their lives, whether through small adventures at home, or venturing out to Europe to meet Hazel’s favorite author.
The film’s second act takes place in Amsterdam, and drives home the contrast between growing up in a Midwest setting and the culture shock when exploring the lively Netherlands capital; Hazel and Augustus have never left the comfort of their Midwest home, and they are going to make the most out of every minute away from it. By the film’s bittersweet third act, the community comes together to mourn Augustus’ death, emphasizing the unity Midwest communities uphold when one of their members passes away.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) – Indiana
Before E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Steven Spielberg gave American audiences Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Following the story of Roy, a working-class man in Indiana who witnesses a UFO sighting and will go above and beyond to prove it, Close Encounters of the Third Kind shows how Midwest attitudes can react when their belief system is challenged. In retrospect, it also shows Midwest fear when presented with something foreign and unidentifiable.
Mean Girls (2004) – Illinois
Mean Girls pokes fun at every Midwest cliché in the book. Queen Bee Regina George spreads gossip rampantly, has a burn book where she documents her most insidious rumors, and instigates drama simply to remain relevant. While Mean Girls is an exaggerated version of what growing up in the Midwest is like, Cady Heron embodies the culture shock of an outsider who steps into, figuratively speaking, a different type of jungle.
Super 8 (2011) – Ohio
In the style of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Super 8 follows a group of kids who capture an alien landing through their Super 8 camera. What sells the Midwest aesthetic in Super 8 is its young cast; Elle Fanning and company portray Midwest children to a tee, from their days recording the activities of both children and adults in their Ohio suburb, their excitement over alien activity, and their being at odds with the adults amidst the chaos brought upon by community secrets. Super 8 exemplifies the secrecy that sometimes lies beneath a welcoming Midwest community.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) – Iowa
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Set in Iowa, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape showed the world the acting range a young Leonardo DiCaprio had through his vulnerable portrayal of Arnie Grape. Paired alongside Johnny Depp, the on-screen siblings show the unity Midwest families hold when it comes to tough times, especially when involving the declining health of a loved one. By its finale, the Grape family has to piece itself back together after the death of their matriarch, like so many real-life Midwest families when presented with this type of loss.
Scream 2 (1997) – Ohio
Scream 2 takes the survivors of the original Woodsboro murders and puts them at Windsor College, a fictional campus set in Ohio. Everything about Scream 2 screams Midwest aesthetic, from the opening kill scene in the multiplex, and the small-town college cliques, to the residential homes Ghostface targets during the film. Scream 2 sets up a nice change of pace for the following installments, such as Scream 3 and Scream 6.
