In th Eighth Grade movie, we meet the main character Kayla during her last week of 8th grade. She is quiet at school, socially awkward, has her own YouTube channel, lives with her Dad and is an only child.
With an acne covered face and hunched over shoulders, Kayla completely captures this age of utter awkwardness. Her irritation when ever her dad speaks, or doesn’t speak is relatable as a parent- no matter what you say it’s wrong.
Rated R???
In the news there has been some controversy that a film about an 8th grader is rated R. However, Common Sense Media rated it for age 14 +. You should know the movie has some swearing, talks about blowjobs and there is a truth or dare scene where the main character Kayla declines to participate in taking off her shirt in the back seat of a car with an older boy. Aside from deciding if you want your daughter to see those issues, there’s other considerations.
I felt the movie did a really good job portraying what the middle experience is like for a lot of girls. However my daughter who just finished 8th grade said the movie was unrealistic. When I asked her what she thought was unrealistic, she did not tell me. Part of me thinks it hit just a little too close to home. Perhaps the movie is better after you’ve made it through this awkward stage.
Should you take your daughter to see it?
I would highly recommend this movie for parents. If you have younger kids (like 4th-7th), you will gain insight and empathy towards the state of mind that your daughter may adopt as she goes through early adolescence.
A friend of mine showed the trailer to her daughter that just finished 8th grade and the daughter replied, “That’s my life. I don’t want to see a movie about it.” So proceed with caution and contemplate whether your daughter is ready for this movie. If she has surpassed the ultra self-conscious, everyone is watching me and judging me stage, she may enjoy it!
Here’s a really good video of 8th graders providing their thoughts on the movie.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the movie if you saw it, and if you saw it with your child, how was that?
Zen Y’all,
Kim