Eighth Grade

“You made me brave, Kayla. And if you could just see yourself like I see you... the way you really are, the way you always have been... I promise you wouldn't be scared either.” I’m going to need financial compensation for the emotional damage this movie caused. No, but seriously, I started crying about halfway through and basically never recovered. This movie is built perfectly from beginning to end. Every moment feels so natural, and by the time it hits you emotionally, it hits like a truck. The scene with the dad talking about how wonderful his daughter is completely caught me off guard. It hit way too close to home. There’s something heartbreaking about seeing the kind of father–daughter relationship you wish you’d had, or wondering what could’ve been different if either of you had been. I’m already a mess when it comes to heartfelt dad and daughter stories, so this movie absolutely destroyed me. If you have daddy issues, consider this your warning. But honestly, that’s what makes it so special. It feels painfully real. The awkwardness, the loneliness, the desperate need to fit in, the small moments of kindness, it all feels so genuine. I absolutely adored the rest of the movie too. It’s funny, uncomfortable, sweet, heartbreaking, and incredibly human all at once. Ugh. What a film 💔