page_title: Mona Vanderwaal
section_title: Reception
hierarchical_section_title: Mona Vanderwaal / Reception
caption_attribution_description: The cast of the 2007 film Bratz, at MuchMusic for a MuchOnDemand episode.
context_page_description: Mona Vanderwaal is a fictional character in the Pretty Little Liars book series, its television adaptation, and the spin-off TV series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. In the TV shows, she is portrayed by Janel Parrish.
  Introduced in Pretty Little Liars as Hanna Marin's best friend, Mona initially harbors a grudge against the protagonists, using her intelligence and resources to torment them anonymously as "A". In the third season of the TV series, Mona gains a partner who eventually takes control from her. Afterward, she forms an unstable alliance with the protagonists, becoming a victim of her own creation. Considered the most knowledgeable character in the series, Mona is versed in computer hacking, foreign languages, singing, empathy, and manipulation. Though introduced as a villainess, she eventually takes steps toward redemption. Mona is the first 'A' in the show and the book.
  Initially a supporting player, the TV character gained much popularity among viewers and critics, drawing recognition from Entertainment Weekly, CNN, MTV, and others, prompting producers to expand her role.
context_section_description: The show's breakout player, Mona Vanderwaal was named the greatest character in the TV series by PrettyLittleLiars.com, which cited her cleverness, multiple layers, and chemistry with Spencer Hastings and Hanna Marin. MTV named Mona one of the best characters on television in 2014, labeling her "smart, ferocious, and consistently interesting." In reviews for Bustle.com, Kaitlin Reilly called Mona "complicated, brilliant, and perpetually paradoxical", while Caitlin Flynn stated, "No one keeps viewers guessing quite as much as Mona." In a related review, Dana Getz declared that Mona "quietly became the most important character in the series."
  Bustle also noted Mona's character development, declaring that she had "redeemed herself in the later seasons of the show". Similarly, Heather Hogan of AutoStraddle.com identified Mona as central to the show's theme of redemption, labeling the character "practically perfect in every way" and recognizing her as "the best and most beloved character on Pretty Little Liars." I. Marlene King, a producer of the TV series, acknowledged Mona as "a beloved character" during the series' run, prompting producers to expand Mona's role beyond her arc in the novels.
  Mona's revelation as "A" in the episode "UnmAsked" received much media attention. Zach Johnson of Us Weekly called the development "shocking" and "intense." Bustle.com's Kaitlin Reilly labeled the scene "amazing." Stephanie Goldberg of CNN was less positive, finding the revelation "obvious" while also citing a lack of change from the book series. Seventeen magazine's Michelle King noted that the episode sent "chills up our spine," and reviewed it favorably.
  At the conclusion of the TV series, an article from Hypable.com lauded Mona's impact on the show, calling her "Brilliant, hilarious, brave, and beautiful," also labeling the character "always fun to watch". In a review of the series finale, Louise McCreesh of Digital Spy called Mona the show's "one true hero", citing her role in bringing down the final antagonist. Janel Parrish felt that her character got a perfect ending. Writers for numerous media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, Hypable.com, BuddyTV, and Bustle.com, called for a spin-off focusing on Mona Vanderwaal.
  Jessica Goldstein of Vulture highlighted Mona's fashion choices while also praising her relationship with Mike Montgomery, saying, "I like her little Breakfast at Tiffany's look, her winged eyeliner, and even her overdone updo, because such devotion to hairspray seems very Mona-esque to me."
caption: Janel Parrish's portrayal of Mona was well received by critics.
exif: {"Image Make": "Canon", "Image Model": "Canon EOS-1DS", "Image Orientation": "Horizontal (normal)", "Image XResolution": "72", "Image YResolution": "72", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Image Software": "Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh", "Image DateTime": "2007:07:26 22:13:04", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Co-sited", "Image ExifOffset": "220", "Thumbnail Compression": "JPEG (old-style)", "Thumbnail XResolution": "72", "Thumbnail YResolution": "72", "Thumbnail ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormat": "1046", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormatLength": "4904", "EXIF ExposureTime": "1/200", "EXIF FNumber": "14/5", "EXIF ExposureProgram": "Manual", "EXIF ISOSpeedRatings": "250", "EXIF ExifVersion": "0220", "EXIF DateTimeOriginal": "2007:07:26 16:51:42", "EXIF DateTimeDigitized": "2007:07:26 16:51:42", "EXIF ComponentsConfiguration": "YCbCr", "EXIF ShutterSpeedValue": "61/8", "EXIF ApertureValue": "3", "EXIF ExposureBiasValue": "0", "EXIF MeteringMode": "Spot", "EXIF Flash": "Flash did not fire", "EXIF FocalLength": "200", "EXIF FlashPixVersion": "0100", "EXIF ColorSpace": "Uncalibrated", "EXIF ExifImageWidth": "288", "EXIF ExifImageLength": "432", "Interoperability InteroperabilityIndex": "", "Interoperability InteroperabilityVersion": "[48, 49, 48, 48]", "EXIF InteroperabilityOffset": "920", "EXIF FocalPlaneXResolution": "31750/11", "EXIF FocalPlaneYResolution": "2704000/937", "EXIF FocalPlaneResolutionUnit": "2", "EXIF CustomRendered": "Normal", "EXIF ExposureMode": "Manual Exposure", "EXIF WhiteBalance": "Auto", "EXIF SceneCaptureType": "Standard"}