Synopsis

On her 13th birthday in 1987, Jenna Rink wishes to become "30, flirty, and thriving." A mysterious transformation awakens her in 2004 as a successful magazine editor, but her adult life is built on choices she does not remember making. As Jenna reconnects with her childhood best friend, she must decide whether success is worth losing the person she once was.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film's interior scenes were shot in Los Angeles, while the production traveled to New York City for exterior photography.

• The story's famous "Thriller" dance sequence grew from the filmmakers' affection for Michael Jackson's song and was designed to show Jenna bringing an awkward party to life. The production reportedly auditioned about 100 dancers before selecting performers whose unusual, unpolished qualities suited the scene.

• The dance required extensive rehearsal. Mark Ruffalo was reportedly so uncomfortable with learning the choreography that he considered leaving the project.

• The film underwent major reshoots after the filmmakers decided that the younger versions of Jenna and Matt did not sufficiently resemble their adult counterparts. The changes also allowed the opening and ending to be rewritten.

• The soundtrack emphasizes recognizable 1980s music, including songs by The Go-Go's, Whitney Houston, Pat Benatar, and Michael Jackson, reinforcing the contrast between Jenna's childhood memories and her adult world.

• The phrase "30, flirty, and thriving" became closely associated with the film and helped give it a lasting place in early-2000s romantic-comedy culture.