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Teen Comedy Queeros: A Review of Kiki and the MxFits

Writer: Crystal LibbyCrystal Libby
Mar 93 min read

At Queer Edge Consulting, we celebrate stories that showcase the beauty and complexity of queer identities. Kiki and the MxFits, directed by Brazilian-born filmmaker Natalia Leite, is a vibrant, rebellious teen comedy that queers classic coming-of-age tropes while centering queer and non-binary Latinx experiences.



The title MxFits plays on the gender-neutral honorific Mx., often used by non-binary individuals as an alternative to traditional titles like Mr. or Ms. The film follows Chiquilla and her misfit crew as they navigate high school, queer identity, and the pushback against systemic discrimination. When Kiki, a trans member of the squad, is sent to detention for using the girls' bathroom, the group sparks a hilarious, heartfelt rebellion that challenges authority and affirms their right to exist unapologetically.


Queering Classic Tropes

Kiki and the MxFits takes familiar teenage comedy tropes—the quirky underdogs, the big rebellion, the journey of self-acceptance—and makes them explicitly queer. This subversion is powerful, flipping mainstream narratives to center voices that are often left in the margins.

  • Misfit Protagonists with Meaning: Chiquilla and their crew aren’t just outsiders for the sake of it. Their queerness and Latinx identity shape their experiences, making their story feel authentic and urgent.

  • A Challenge That Matters: Unlike the trivial conflicts of some teen comedies, the fight in Kiki and the MxFits—against gendered school policies—is deeply relevant. LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionate discipline in schools, making this rebellion feel all too real.

  • Themes of Self-Acceptance & Friendship: The film beautifully highlights how found family and solidarity can be life-saving for queer youth.



A Latinx Lens

This film isn’t just about queer identity—it’s also rooted in Latinx culture, with references to family dynamics, Spanglish, and community resilience.

  • Cultural Authenticity: The film captures Latinx identity in a way that’s both joyful and real, adding depth beyond token representation.

  • Intersectionality in Focus: It recognizes the unique challenges of queer Latinx youth, from racism to transphobia, and shows how resilience and joy can coexist.

  • Community as Strength: The squad’s defiance isn’t just about one person—it’s about standing together, embodying the Latinx tradition of collective resistance.


A Bold Visual Story

Kiki and the MxFits is as visually dynamic as it is emotionally powerful.

  • Bright, energetic color palettes reflect the film’s rebellious, youthful spirit.

  • Fast-paced editing keeps the momentum alive, mirroring the urgency of their fight.

  • Intimate framing brings us close to the characters, making their struggles and triumphs deeply personal.


Why Kiki and the MxFits Matters

At a time when queer and trans youth are under attack, films like this offer more than just entertainment—they provide hope, validation, and representation in a media landscape where such visibility is still far too rare.


According to GLAAD’s 2023-2024 “Where We Are on TV” report, LGBTQ+ characters make up only 8.6% of series regulars in primetime scripted television, a decline from previous years. Trans representation remains even more limited—GLAAD’s 2014 report found that none of the 114 major studio film releases that year featured identifiable transgender characters. When trans characters do appear, their depictions are often harmful; a 2012 study of transgender portrayals on TV found that 40% were shown as victims, 21% as villains, and 61% of episodes included anti-trans slurs or derogatory dialogue.


By queering the teen comedy genre and amplifying Latinx, non-binary, and trans voices, Kiki and the MxFits is a groundbreaking film that challenges these industry norms. It offers a joyful, rebellious, and empowering counter-narrative—one that refuses to sideline queer identities or reduce them to stereotypes.


Watch it. Share it. Support queer storytelling.


Crystal Libby

Founder, Queer Edge Consulting



References

  1. GLAAD (2023-2024). Where We Are on TV Report – LGBTQ+ representation in primetime scripted series.

  2. GLAAD (2014). Studio Responsibility Index – Analysis of LGBTQ+ representation in major studio films.

  3. GLAAD (2012). Victims or Villains: Examining Transgender Representation on TV – Analysis of a decade of trans portrayals.

  4. Human Rights Campaign (2019). LGBTQ+ Youth Report – 70% of LGBTQ+ youth reported feelings of depression due to their identity.

  5. Trevor Project (2020). National Survey on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health – Importance of supportive communities for LGBTQ+ youth.

  6. National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (2019). Latinx Representation in Media – Latinx individuals make up 18.1% of the U.S. population.

  7. Unión=Fuerza (2020). Intersectionality & Challenges for LGBTQ+ Latinx Individuals – Examining unique struggles faced by queer Latinx individuals.

  8. National Council of La Raza (2019). Latinx Community Resilience Report – The tradition of resilience and solidarity within Latinx communities.

  9. Variety (2020). The Power of Vibrant Visuals in Filmmaking.

  10. Filmmaker Magazine (2019). The Impact of Dynamic Editing on Storytelling.

  11. IndieWire (2020). How Intimate Framing Creates Emotional Resonance in Film.

 
 
 

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