Rebel With a Clause: Grammar, Chaos, and Workplace Crimes
Nobody wakes up thinking, “You know what I need? A grammar documentary.” But here we are, and honestly? Rebel With a Clause is a blast. If you’ve ever cringed at a misused apostrophe or tried to decode a co-worker’s email that treats punctuation like an optional extra, this film will have you cheering in your seat.
The Scene: Grammar Gets Rowdy
The New York screening was a total grammar-fest. Over 450 language lovers packed the place, debating punctuation like their lives depended on it. People wore T-shirts that read “Let’s Eat, Mom” vs. “Let’s Eat Mom” (because commas save lives), and there was even a pre-show grammar quiz. Absolute mayhem.
When was the last time you saw anyone get this hyped about syntax?
The energy in the room was contagious. Strangers bonded over their shared love of proper sentence structure. Debates broke out over the Oxford comma, with some passionately defending it while others just enjoyed the chaos. A few attendees even confessed to sneaking grammar books into their vacations. (Respect.) It was the kind of crowd that turns a niche topic into an absolute spectacle.
The Film: One Woman, One Table, Fifty States
Ellen Jovin is on a mission: set up a table, invite strangers to ask their biggest grammar questions, and settle the debates once and for all. It’s part road trip, part language lesson, and weirdly wholesome. Directed by her husband, Brandt Johnson, the film is both hilarious and oddly suspenseful.
Who knew a discussion on “affect” vs. “effect” could have you on the edge of your seat?
Jovin tackles everything from the eternal “who vs. whom” debate to whether “y’all’s” is grammatically acceptable. (Spoiler: it is. Texans, rejoice.) She also politely obliterates long-standing grammar myths.
Yes, you can end a sentence with a preposition. No, your middle school English teacher wasn’t always right. And yes, passive voice can have its place—just maybe not in every single email you send.
Some of the best moments come from Jovin’s interactions with everyday people. One man admitted to texting his boss with “their” instead of “they’re” and still has regrets. Another woman confessed to abandoning semicolons entirely because they’re just too stressful. (Relatable.) The beauty of Rebel With a Clause is that it doesn’t just educate—it validates the weird quirks we all have about language.
Rebel with a Clause Takeaway: Words Matter
Beyond the laughs, the film makes a solid point: grammar isn’t about rules—it’s about being understood. Good grammar isn’t about sounding fancy or correcting people at parties (please don’t be that person). It’s about making sure what you say actually lands the way you intend it to.
Grammar is just one of those things that sneaks up on you in real life. That email to your boss? That LinkedIn post? That text to your crush? Yeah, you’ll want to make sure they hit right. And that’s exactly why this film works—it takes something most people brush off and reminds us why grammar actually matters.
If a job candidate is claiming “great attention to detail” on their résumé but constantly mixing up “your” and “you’re,” that’s a problem. That’s the same energy as someone calling themselves an Excel expert and then panicking over a pivot table.
Our small piece of advice? Use grammar tests in your job interviews. (You can thank us later)
Grand Finale: 10/10, Would Gladly Die on the Oxford Comma Hill
Whether you love grammar or just love watching people get way too excited about it, Rebel With a Clause is a surprisingly fun ride. You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and at the very least, you’ll walk away with a newfound respect for punctuation.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an Oxford comma debate to win. Some hills are worth dying on.