Let's face it, being a teenager is incredibly awkward. However, not many films tap into the toe-curling truth of being an adolescent quite like Bo Burnham's "Eighth Grade." Elsie Fisher plays the introverted Kayla, trying to survive her final week of middle school, in a film that depicts the brutal honesty of this tumultuous phase of life.
The film delicately toes the line of hilarity and heartache, and the crushingly realistic portrayal of teen life will either have you laughing or looking away in horror ... and sometimes both at the same time. Trust us, you'll never be able to look at a banana in the same way again!
As well as exploring the awkwardness of teen life, the film also doesn't shy away from its depiction of mental health conditions, particularly anxiety. Few movies absolutely nail what it feels like to suffer with anxiety in a way that feels so real, but "Eighth Grade" succeeds without feeling cloying or melodramatic.
"Eighth Grade" is the perfect example of a dramedy, and much like "Instant Family," it features memorable and endearing performances from its young stars. Elsie Fisher is relatable, watchable, and awkwardly hilarious, and as you'd expect from a Bo Burnham film, the writing is absolutely impeccable.
