Review of Eighth Grade (2018) by Matt W — 12 Aug 2018

Bound to be the indie darling of the year. I'm glad I knew all of the "but, ummmm, yeah, like, yeah" lines were actually scripted...they are perfectly embraced as part of these characters' language, the pacing of which sets the tone in a nearly Mamet-esque way (albeit a pre-pubescent Mamet).

I normally avoid critiquing young actors debuting in very naturalistic pieces....but Elsie Fisher has crafted a perfectly nuanced performance. We watch her struggle to pry out of her shell, attempting to believe her own pep talks, breaking down amidst serious social anxiety.

.... And so on the moments when she finds her own confidence, we see the potential of this character shining through. And the film's exploration of social media (and the uneducated sexualization of teens via the platforms) is more accurate than any other film to take on the subject.