Pariah

Genuinely crazy. It felt so real the entire time. The evil ahh situationship in denial of what she was. (I was once her), the parents who had a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of relationship with Alike and were in HEAVY denial of who she was. Even the most heartbreaking scenes in terms of different characters hurting Alike showed the antagonist of that moment's so much grace. Her parents had real struggles in their own marriage, and were insecure in the love they shared. Bina claiming she isn't "gay gay" and that they aren't anything. Seeing Bina with a boy later in the film, pushing him away and not seeming nearly as happy, was gutwrenching. She was a scared teenager going through similar things to Alike, she just wasn't ready to feel the freedom that came in breaking. There was no real villain in this story. Alike maintained so much compassion and love for her parents but ultimately chose herself, and her sister and friends supported her. We could not HATE the other characters because Alike did not. Realistically, a teenager is always going to choose their parents love and acceptance. This story is so important and so beautifully told.