Eighth Grade (2018)

11.15pm, Sunday, BBC Two

“Growing up can be a little bit scary and weird”

High School movies are ten-a-penny and usually involve the standard playbook of tropes – mean girls, high school jocks, hormones, etc. Though strictly speaking a Middle School movie, Eighth Grade is a notable exception to the rule. Award-winning director (and erstwhile Youtube star), Bo Burnham, has fashioned a powerful and moving drama that centres on the experiences of an introverted teenager on the cusp of High School. His trump card is teen actress Elsie Fisher, who compellingly portrays the central character, Kayla, in all her awkwardness. By night, Kayla is a con dent character who hosts her own Youtube channel and o ers empowerment slogans to her peers. By day, however, she lacks all con dence and continues to be friend-less, a situation not helped by her forlorn pursuit of the class bad boy. In one key scene, Kayla nds herself invited to an outdoor pool party and we share her discomfort as she navigates her way to the pool through a chorus of ultra con dent, bikini clad classmates, the only person there in a one-piece bathing suit. While the entire movie hinges (and shines) on Fisher’s slender shoulders, there is good support from Josh Hamilton as her well- meaning father. Both Burnham and Golden Globe nominee Fisher marked themselves out as ones to watch with this modest but hugely impressive gem. And here’s one for trivia fans: lming on the movie began exactly one week after Elsie Fisher nished Eighth Grade.