Review of Eighth Grade (2018) by Lee M — 30 Jul 2018

I took my 8th-entering-9th grade daughter to see this last night, my beautiful, witty, precocious daughter who has struggled with crippling anxiety and social isolation for the past 2 years.

Watching this film was like watching our own lives, but as objective observers, through an empathetic lens-- the ever-present feelings of worry and desperation were replaced with feelings of compassion and understanding, and the tremendous comfort that comes from knowing that you are not alone in your experience.

This film was nothing short of cathartic for my daughter. It was like witnessing a heavy, cumbersome veil being lifted. She opened up more in the cab ride home than she has since she was 12. I asked her what was the biggest thing that she took away from the film and she said "I feel like everything really is going to be OK". For the first time in a long time, I do too.