Based on the most awkward year of your life|Jan. 19, 2018|United States|94 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Drama
Description: Kayla Day, an eighth-grader at Miles Grove Middle School in New York, is navigating the challenges of her final week before moving on to high school. Despite her efforts to share motivational YouTube videos about confidence and self-image, they receive little attention. Shy and struggling to connect with peers, she is labeled “Most Quiet” by her classmates. Her single father, Mark, tries to bond with her but finds it difficult to break her dependence on social media.
Kayla’s life takes a turn when she is invited to a pool party hosted by Kennedy, a popular classmate. Overwhelmed by anxiety, she has a panic attack in the bathroom but eventually joins the group, meeting Gabe, Kennedy’s nerdy cousin. After an awkward interaction with her crush, Aiden, Kayla gathers the courage to participate in karaoke.
Later, Kayla fabricates a story about having explicit photos on her phone to impress Aiden, which leads to an uncomfortable conversation about sexual experiences. Feeling uneasy, she researches oral sex online but is left disturbed by what she finds.
As part of a high school shadow program, Kayla meets Olivia, a welcoming senior who introduces her to the new environment. Olivia invites Kayla to the mall, where they bond with friends. However, Kayla is embarrassed when she spots her father secretly watching her and demands he leave. On the ride home, Olivia’s friend Riley pressures Kayla with inappropriate questions and dares, but she firmly rejects his advances, leaving him frustrated.
Through these experiences, Kayla begins to confront her fears and navigate the complexities of adolescence.
Cast director: Bo Burnham
Cast actor: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan, Daniel Zolghadri, Fred Hechinger, Imani Lewis, Luke Prael, Catherine Oliviere, Nora Mullins
Original name: Eighth Grade