I remember my eighth-grade year well. At least I think I do. As I watched Bo Burnham’s film, I found myself taking stock of all the differences and similarities between the modern middle-school experience and the one I had at the beginning of the ‘90s. The social media and technology gaps between generations are obvious (not to mention the active shooter drills), but after that, I’m happy to report that Junior High still sucks for everyone. Interestingly, Eighth Grade is an anomaly that would have never been when I was that age. Accuracy and poignancy weren’t exactly Hollywood strong suits when it came to the depiction of teen life in my day – or ever, for that matter. As much as everyone loves John Hughes and his ilk, 16 Candles (1984) or The Breakfast Club (1985) are hardly realistic. I’m glad somebody has finally taken the time to get it right.
Elsie Fisher plays eighth-grader Kayla. To call her self-conscious would both be true and a misnomer. Outwardly, she doesn’t have friends and is very shy. Her secret, though, is that she’s extremely perceptive – she’s keen to all her hang-ups, and actively tries to overcome them. One way is by hosting a YouTube channel in which she tries to help others overcome their problems. Even though it’s sometimes uncomfortable to watch her fumble around with her point with redundant statements like “the key to having confidence is to just be confident,” she’s good at turning her flaws into teaching moments – even if no one is watching. In short, Kayla is likable and relatable (not to mention wonderfully acted by Fisher), and her basic insights can easily apply to anyone far beyond her age.
Eighth Grade is so awkward you can smell it. If you’ve ever had a teen or tween living in your house, you know what I’m talking about. This is a strange compliment to give a film, but if you want verisimilitude, there you go. That age is pure torture for everyone – the kids going through it, and the adults who have to put up with it. The self-obsessed girls and the moronic boys meander through life in an insufferable, vapid haze. Kayla is a reluctant observer who stands somewhere between envy and disgust for her classmates. Her teachers and administrators are just as insipid, drudging through their days with monotone indifference and out-of-date attempts at appearing “cool.” It’s all deliciously cringe-inducing.
The relationship between Kayla and her father (Josh Hamilton) is where I personally felt the most kinship. Hamilton is charming and fun as the perpetually confused dad who’s doing his damndest to get it right. Pay attention to his facial expressions as Kayla continuously catches him off guard with mood and attitude swings. He so desperately wants things to be okay for his daughter – and sees her in ways that no one her age ever could. It’s a wonderful performance that enhances Fisher’s at every turn.
As if the awkwardness wasn’t tense enough, Eighth Grade offers some real-life tension into the mix as well. The propensity for male toxicity is explored both passively and actively, as well as school shootings and body positivity. Eighth Grade could also be seen as an indictment of social media and its dependency. As a dad who’s witnessed first-hand the dulling effects of a mindless screen life, I acknowledge that this technology exists, but I find its usefulness for teenagers dubious at best. Director Bo Burnham (who got his start on YouTube) might be telling us that over-sexualized content and lack of old-fashioned human interaction might not be such a good thing. Or, that it’s a fact of life and you need to get over it. I’m curious how others will see the film’s treatment of the subject.
Burnham’s film is a breath of fresh air. That air may be filled with adolescent B.O., but it’s truer and to the point than most films in the teen genre. There are plenty of tropes to navigate through, but once you’ve left the realm of the typical, you’ll find yourself is in the land of honesty and relevance. The technological and resulting societal differences from my stint as an eighth-grader do nothing to diminish the longing for escape we all felt – from our lives, rules, homes, emotions, and bodies. This escape is the crux of the film, and it comes across loud and clear.
James is a writer, record collector, wrestling nerd, and tabletop gamer living with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and contributes to The Daily Orca, Razorcake Magazine, Mountain Xpress, and Asheville Movies.