Amidst Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Drop Here's All The Movie References In Her 'Manchild' MV

Sabrina Carpenter, born in 1999 in Pennsylvania, first became known for her role as ‘Maya Hart’ in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World. Since then, she has seamlessly transitioned from a Disney star into a major pop star, delivering chart-topping hits and has even earned Grammy recognition. Her discograohy includes hit albums like Short n’ Sweet, and infectious singles such as Espresso, Please Please Please, and Taste.

Sabrina’s seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, released on August 29, 2025, is an electrifying blend of pop infused with country, disco, R&B, and it is influenced from icons like Dolly Parton, ABBA, and Christina Aguilera. The lead single, Manchild, is a cheeky, synth-pop anthem, and the music video showcases Sabrina hitchhiking through the desert, leaping between absurd male caricatures riding everything from motorised recliners to jet skis.

Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, the video also pays homage to iconic films and cinematic moments. Each scene is a clever nod to a memorable movie moment, which puts together a narrative of empowerment and satire. Let’s break down all the standout references that you might have missed in Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild music video.

Manchild has road-trip vibes, and nods to classic cinema

The music video begins with Sabrina jumping out of a car, which many perceive as a metaphor for leaving a relationship. Throughout the MV, she moves from one car to another, which symbolically represents her journey from one relationship to another. The majority of the MV is picturised as a road trip movie and gives nods to female lead projects like Thelma & Louise. The red car from The Last Stop in Yuma county, No country for Old Men’s blue house also make an appearance in the music video alongside It Happened One Night-style hitchhiking scenes.

‘Penny Lane’ from Almost Famous reference in Manchild

In one scene, Sabrina wears a groovy faux-fur coat with wild curly blonde locks, which is an unmistakable nod to ‘Penny Lane’ from Almost Famous. That character famously fell in love and looked after for a manchild rock star. Throughout the MV, Sabrina is paired with men who lack basic knowledge and are creating trouble for her to take care of. She leans into film references of iconic women who’ve dealt with similar 'manchild' types. The result? A tongue-in-cheek, cinematic journey that turns frustration into fun.

Legally Blonde’s “I’m Taking the Dog!” makes an appearance in Manchild

A playful flash from the music video shows Sabrina fleeing away with a puppy in her hand from a trailer park. An ex is shooting at her and her friends from behind. The scene is an homage to the Legally Blonde scene where ‘Elle Woods’ is saving 'Paulette’s pup with her. One could almost hear Jennifer Coolidge saying, “I’m taking the dog!” as Sabrina escapes. It’s both comedic and symbolic as it shows liberating the innocent from toxic relationships, even if they are the pets.

Sex and the City energy is very much present in the Manchild music video

Sabrina Carpenter’s styling throughout the music video is a nod to the 80s country style. However, some argue, with her tousled curls and illustrious love life, she is also channeling ‘Carrie Bradshaw’s’ vibe. And whoever has seen the early 2000s show would agree that 'Carrie’s' many on-screen lovers fit the stereotype of ‘manchild’ that Sabrina had been portraying throughout the music video.

The Eiger Sanction cliffhanger reference in Manchild could be a lesson in letting go

In one of the final segments of Manchild, Sabrina is seen climbing a rocky cliff, mirroring a scene from The Eiger Sanction where a character dangles precariously from a mountain. But unlike the classic thriller, Sabrina’s stunt ends in a fall, one that feels more symbolic than tragic. Her fall could easily be read as a darkly comedic warning to ladies out their, keep chasing ‘manchild’ and you’ll only end up crashing down as well.

Wanda references in Manchild is a glimpse of emotional detachment

In one striking moment of the Manchild video, a man is kissing Sabrina while she stares off, visibly disinterested, even repulsed. It is very much visible that she feels nothing. This shot closely mirrors a scene from Barbara Loden’s Wanda, where the protagonist passively endures a kiss, disconnected from the intimacy. Much like Loden’s portrayal of emotional numbness and loss of agency, Sabrina’s expression reflects exhaustion, disillusionment, and the emotional toll of tolerating ‘manchild’ behaviour. 

Traffic reference in Manchild, is a nod to Jacques Tati’s comedic absurdity

The first car that Sabrina sits in, Manchild, is a quirky, half-car, an image that feels lifted straight from Jacques Tati’s Traffic. Jacques' film was a satirical look at modernity and mechanisation, which included fragmented vehicles that highlight the absurdity of over-engineered design. Sabrina’s half-car not only mirrors Jacques' visual style but also sets the tone for the video’s playful, ironic take on dysfunction, particularly in the context of broken-down relationships. Just like the car, some things and people are only half-functional.

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’s chaos on the road in Manchild 

In It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, a wild chase leads to cars veering off roads in exaggerated, cartoonish fashion, perfectly capturing the manic energy of people spiralling out of control. In Manchild, the car similarly spins out, drifts off the road, and bursts into flames. It's a visual metaphor for the messy fallout of chasing something or someone that was never worth it to begin with.

Badlands vibes in the desert are also present in Manchild

One of the most striking visual cues in Manchild nods to Terrence Malick’s Badlands, particularly in the scenes where Sabrina is seen on top of a red car with a man wearing a leather jacket. The aesthetic is very similar to Badlands. Like ‘Holly’ in the film, Sabrina’s character is with a guy who is somewhat destructive. He puts a lit firecracker in his mouth and even ends up burning his hair. The entire sequence is a nod to ‘Kit’ and ‘Holly’ and their tumultuous journey on the road.

The Bande à Part dance sequence makes an appearance in Manchild

Sabrina’s playful barroom dance in Manchild is a clear homage to the iconic scene in Jean-Luc Godard’s Bande à Part, where the trio dances in a Paris café. Channelling the same carefree, ironic energy, Sabrina captures the spirit of rebellion and detachment that defined the French New Wave, except this time, it’s set to her own cheeky pop anthem and directed at immature love interests.

Why do these references in the Manchild music video matter?

Rather than just dropping Easter eggs, each homage connects Sabrina to a legacy of strong, relatable women who’ve put up with, or escaped from, an immature partner. By channelling characters like 'Penny Lane' or 'Elle Woods', Sabrina reframes their stories on her terms.

What are your thoughts about all the references in Manchild music video, are there any that we missed?

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