Oh my GOD I did not expect to be in complete shambles at the end of this. Especially at the beginning, there are so many references to seminal eighth grade experiences that made me think “wow! super realistic!” (stacking the Crayola markers, the rubber bands in the braces…), and the plethora of painfully awkward scenes didn’t quite make me feel fully connected to Kayla (Elsie Fisher).

HOWEVER. The more I got to see Kayla put herself out there, something that hits very close to home, the prouder I got. But also the visceral, anxiety-inducing scenes made me feel so protective of this, at most, fourteen-year-old????? The long talk between Kayla and her dad near the end was the most I’d cried from a film since Steel Magnolias (1989).

I also could not stop smiling during the scene with Kayla and Gabe; I just wish we got to see more glimpses of Kayla’s true personality throughout. Like even just tiny things that she likes. We see her watch a lot of media but it doesn’t seem to bring her any enjoyment. It feels more like a distraction from loneliness. Which could be the point.