Twenty-five years later and we’re still talking about it. The table dance. The "heinous bitch" line. That specific shade of blue prom dress. Most teen movies from 1999 have aged like milk left in a locker over summer break, but Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You remains the gold standard.
Why?
Honestly, it's because Julia Stiles didn't play Kat Stratford like a "teen movie" character. She played her like a real person who was exhausted by everyone’s expectations. It wasn't about a makeover or "taming" anyone. It was about a girl who liked Sylvia Plath and angry rock music finally finding someone who didn't ask her to turn the volume down.
The "Angry Girl" Energy That Changed Everything
Before Kat Stratford, the "alt girl" in movies was usually a sidekick or a punchline. Stiles changed the math. She brought this Soho-bred intellectualism to the role that made Kat’s rage feel justified, not just moody. You’ve probably seen the memes about her reading The Bell Jar poolside. It wasn't just a prop; it was a vibe.
The script was written by Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith, two women who actually understood that being 17 and female is basically a constant state of low-grade annoyance. They pulled the title from McCullah’s actual high school diary. She had a list called "Things I Hate About Anthony."
Poor Anthony.
But that authenticity is why the movie works. Kat wasn't a "shrew" because she was mean; she was defensive. She was protecting herself in a world that rewarded girls for being like her sister, Bianca—pretty, popular, and obsessed with Prada backpacks.
That Poem Scene Wasn't Supposed to Be Like That
You know the one. The climax. The classroom. The tears.
If you look closely at Julia Stiles’ face during the recitation of the poem, those aren't "actor" tears. They’re real. Stiles has admitted in recent retrospectives that she wasn't actually supposed to cry. But it was the end of the summer, the production was wrapping up, and she was overwhelmed by the experience.
It was her first lead in a big studio movie. She was 17.
The camera kept rolling, and Gil Junger, the director, knew he had gold. They actually had to re-record the audio later in ADR because a camera dolly was creaking in the background of the original take. Even months later, Stiles had to tap back into that specific, raw heartbreak to get the sound right.
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The Heath Ledger Factor
We have to talk about the chemistry. It’s the elephant in the room.
There’s a long-standing rumor that Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger dated during filming. While it’s never been 100% confirmed by them, their co-stars have dropped hints for decades. Regardless of their off-screen status, Ledger was incredibly generous to her as a scene partner.
Think about the serenade scene.
Ledger is doing the most—singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," running across bleachers, dodging security. It’s his big "star" moment. But Stiles’ reaction is what anchors it. She goes from embarrassment to genuine, surprised delight.
Ledger reportedly gave her tips on how to "act drunk" for the iconic table-dancing scene to "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G. She had never actually been drunk in real life at that point. He was the older, slightly more experienced actor who made sure she felt comfortable enough to let loose.
That dance, by the way, is what got her the lead in Save the Last Dance. Director Thomas Carter saw her on that table and knew she could handle a dance-centric movie.
What the Movie Actually Says About Feminism
There is a lot of academic debate about whether the film is actually "feminist."
- The Argument Against: It's based on The Taming of the Shrew. In the original Shakespeare, Katherine is literally starved and gaslit into submission. Some critics argue the movie just "softens" Kat until she’s palatable for a boyfriend.
- The Argument For: Kat doesn't change. At the end of the movie, she’s still outspoken, still headed to Sarah Lawrence, and still wearing her "big dumb combat boots." Patrick is the one who changes. He’s the one who stops taking bribes and starts listening.
Kat’s feminism isn't a phase. It's her core. She calls out the "suburban oppression" and the double standards of the school's social hierarchy. When she tells Joey Donner, "I guess in this society, being male and an asshole makes you worthy of our time," she’s speaking a truth that still rings true in 2026.
The Little Details You Missed
Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington, where they filmed, looks like a literal castle. It was originally built as a luxury hotel before a fire turned it into a school.
The cast was incredibly tight. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was introducing David Krumholtz to Phish, while Krumholtz was introducing him to Wu-Tang. They were just kids living in a hotel together for a summer, and that "summer camp" energy is visible in every frame.
Why We Still Care
10 Things I Hate About You succeeded because it didn't treat teenagers like idiots. It treated their feelings as high-stakes drama.
When Kat tells her father, "I want you to trust me to make my own choices," it’s not just teen angst. It’s a demand for autonomy. Julia Stiles gave Kat a backbone that most female leads in the '90s were lacking.
She wasn't waiting for a guy to notice she was pretty without her glasses. She was waiting for someone to be worth her time.
How to Relive the Kat Stratford Vibe
If you’re looking to channel some of that 1999 energy, start with the source material.
- Watch the movie again, but focus on the background. Look at the posters in Kat’s room and the books she’s reading. It’s a masterclass in character building.
- Listen to the soundtrack. From Letters to Cleo to Save Ferris, it’s a perfect time capsule of the "Third Wave" ska and alt-rock era.
- Read the actual sonnets. Compare the movie's poem to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 141. The movie isn't a direct translation, but the "I do not love thee with mine eyes" sentiment is all over it.
- Look for the literary nods. The Stratford sisters' names are a nod to Stratford-upon-Avon. Patrick’s last name, Verona, is the setting of Romeo and Juliet.
The best way to honor the legacy of Julia Stiles in this role is to stop apologizing for being "too much." Kat Stratford wouldn't care if you're difficult. She’d probably just ask what you're reading.