The ‘80s had Molly Ringwald. The ‘90s had Alicia Silverstone. This decade belongs to Ellen Page as the relatable antihero.

After turning the tables on a pedophile in “Hard Candy” and playing a witty teenage rebel that gets knocked up in “Juno,” Ellen Page enters the world of roller derby as Bliss Cavendar in Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, “Whip It.”

The film follows Bliss, a 17-year-old girl pressured into entering beauty pageants by her overbearing mother (Marcia Gay Harden). She’s also a waitress at The Oink Joint, along with her best friend, Pash (Alia Shawkat). While shopping with her mother, she learns of a roller derby match in Austin, Texas and embarks on a secret trip with Pash to see the match. Before long, she finds her true calling in roller derby and moonlights as Babe Ruthless, a member of the Hurl Scouts, a hapless team that can barely win a game.

Drew Barrymore has managed to assemble an impressive cast with characters named Maggie Mayhem (Kristen Wiig), Bloody Holly (Zo√É.√ Bell), Rosa Sparks (Eve), Iron Maven (Juliette Lewis), Eva Destruction (Ari Graynor) and Smashley Simpson (Drew Barrymore). Daniel Stern, Andrew Wilson and Jimmy Fallon round out the cast by playing Bliss’ father, coach and the MC, respectively.

Some might call this movie the next “Little Miss Sunshine” or “Juno” because both were family comedies with a strong female lead. On top of this, “Little Miss Sunshine” featured beauty pageants and “Juno” starred Ellen Page, both aspects of the film, “Whip It.” Both films went on to box office and award success, and “Whip It” is sure to follow in their footsteps. But the similarities end there. This is something entirely different.

What’s surprising is that Drew Barrymore is not only a brilliant actress, but also a brilliant director. Because most people have no clue as to what the rules to roller derby are, she manages some impressive camera and editing skills while at the same time making sure the viewers can easily follow the action. Also look out for an underwater disrobing scene. It’s something you’ve probably never seen before and it’s shot beautifully and executed perfectly.

Let’s also not forget that a considerable amount of credit goes to Ellen Page. Her performance, along with her skating skills, is partly responsible for the film’s winning ways. Her character might not be as wisecracking as the one she played in “Juno” or as cunning as the one she played in “Hard Candy,” but the young thespian more than makes up for it in realism. The film is most alluring when Barrymore focuses on Bliss’ relationship with the Hurl Scouts, her best friend, Pash, and her rocky relationship with her mother.

What separates this film from other sports-related films is the director’s keen focus on the fact that girls can do anything boys can do, and sometimes even better. It should come to no surprise that Barrymore wants this film to be about girl power. At first, Bliss is reluctant to push and shove competitors, but as the film progresses, her team gradually accepts her and she manages to find the drive to kick some ass on the track.

Will “Whip It” appeal to men at all? It had better. But because this film is a salute to female empowerment, it might not. Girl power or not, it’s a great film. “Whip It” never plays it safe, and that’s got to count for something.