Eighth Grade

Is there a life after eighth grade? Kayla is trying to survive the last week of school before the summer holidays – with High School awaiting on the other side of it. With plenty of acne and social anxiety alike, Kayla is desperately trying to find her place in the ongoing popularity contest of likes and followers. But without any friends, and with a vlog with no followers, and the official title as the «quietest» in school as the cherry on top, she has to accept that her place is at the bottom of the hierarchy. What else is left to do except to fake it ‘til she makes it?

Eighth Grade is full of agonising, funny, and relatable scenes, as we follow Kayla in her struggle to fit in. Like when she turns up to the birthday pool party of the coolest girl in her year, where she is clearly not wanted – or when she gives advice to her absent followers under the title «Putting Yourself Out There». The film rests entirely on the shoulders of now 16-year-old Elsie Fisher, whose portrayal of Kayla radiates teen angst and insecurity in everything from her posture to her use of voice and facial expressions. The directorial debut of comic Bo Burnham is a painfully relatable portrayal of modern day teen life, which is also full of humour, warmth and a precision that tops most else. Truly one of the very best films to come out last year!