Reviews

The problem with most coming-of-age movies is that teenagers are played by perfect looking 20 something actor and actresses. When teenagers don't see themselves properly representated on screen, they fail to relate with the story. Casting Elsie Fisher as the eighth grade student Kayla Day was the first win for this movie. The realistic representation of issues faced by the teenagers today is commendable. Kayla is finishing middle school in one week. She's not perfect. She has pimples, she has anxiety, and she is addicted to social media. If you read some of the plot of this movie, you might think it's another of the typical teenage movies but it's so much more than that. Kayla is extremely relatable, not only for teens, but also for the adults who grow up with similar issues, those who still struggle to be confident in social gatherings. Bo Burnham and Elsie Fisher deserve all the praise they're getting because this is one of those rare movies about teenage life that's too real to be considered fiction. We have all lived some parts of Eighth Grade and that's why we will love it.

This is not a movie for everyone. The characters are flawed and that's what makes them real. We do certain things in life without any reason. And that's what happens in this movie and that's what people are criticising but it is also that thing that made me like this movie. Not all characters are free of fault and the ones who look like the victims are equally to be blamed for everything that happened in the movie. I haven't read the novel but the movie is making me want to pick it up. Anders(played by the brilliant Ben Mendelsohn) has taken an early retirement but decorating his house and sleeping with strangers is not bringing him the happiness he expected to find after cutting ties with his old life. Even if you can't relate to his story, you'll be able to relate to him. I know Netflix has been failing in the action and romantic movie genres but in my opinion, they're not doing so bad in drama movies.