The teen movie genre is often associated with well-worn plot points and characters that are trying way too hard to be relatable. They’re certainly not known for their award season prowess. However, there are a few films that attempt to push the boundaries of the genre. Unfortunately, such productions are often created by smaller companies, resulting in thought-provoking material becoming overlooked and underappreciated. Here are a few teen movies that deserve more recognition:
- Candy Jar (2018)
Candy Jar is a lot like its titular subject matter: bright, colorful, and filled with a variety of pleasant flavors. The story stars Sami Gayle (Vampire Academy, Blue Bloods) and Jacob Latimore (Collateral Beauty, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022) as Lona and Bennett, dueling co-presidents of Hemlock Prep Academy’s debate team. While debate doesn’t seem like the most exhilarating extracurricular, the snappy editing makes every montage compelling. The film takes a good look at the personal lives of students from contrasting economic backgrounds while avoiding cliches. The chemistry between the two leads helps transform a good narrative into a great one.
One of Candy Jar’s most prominent features is that every adult feels authentic and complex, something not frequently seen in the teen movie genre. Christina Hendricks (Mad Men, Good Girls) and Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) star as Amy and Julia, Lona and Bennett’s respective mothers who butt heads even more than their children. Their animosity and competitiveness stems from their pride in their children and the disparity between their lifestyles, but they come to recognize and acknowledge their shortcomings. While occasional arguments arise, it’s obvious that both teens love their respective mothers, and the typical dismissal or absence of parents within typical teen movie narratives is avoided altogether. Their interaction, more than anything else, makes Candy Jar enjoyable and extremely rewatchable.
- Stick It (2006)
Jam-packed with zany one-liners and biting sarcasm, Stick It embodies the self-aware teen movies that defined the late 90s and early 2000s. It stars Missy Peregrym (Heroes, FBI) as Haley Graham, a disgraced gymnast who quit the sport after walking out of the World Championships and costing the U.S. team a gold medal. After an incident with the law, she’s forced back into competing under the careful eye of Burt Vickerman, played by Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, Hell or High Water).
Stick It is one of the few films that I rewatch constantly. It’s not afraid to criticize its featured sport, and the memorable character interactions help carry the narrative. Vanessa Lengies (Glee) is comedic gold as Joanna, a mean bimbo who steals every scene she’s in. Everything about Stick It’s rebellious, sarcastic nature feels reminiscent of teen movie staples like 10 Things I Hate About You and Heathers. The only difference is that Stick It hasn’t been thrust into the limelight.
- I Am Mother (2019)
Designated a sci-fi/thriller but resembling more of a coming-of-age film, I Am Mother takes a unique look at humanity. The film takes place 38 years after a mass extinction event. Daughter, played by Clara Rugaard (Teen Spirit, The Lodge), is a young girl raised by a robot named Mother, who is voiced by Rose Byrne (Insidious, Instant Family). The pair reside within a small bunker and believe Daughter to be the only person on Earth. That is, until Woman, played by Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby, Freedom Writers), crashes into their peaceful oasis.
With only three actresses, and only two physically on screen, the characters’ interactions and complexities are at the forefront of the film. All of the plot twists are intriguing, albeit somewhat predictable, and the questions raised about nature versus nurture are explored effectively. While not a film you could play on repeat, it is one to ponder over long after the credits have rolled.
- After the Dark (2013)
A darker look at humanity and how far we’re willing to go to survive, After the Dark is an intriguing combination of The Twilight Zone and The Society. It follows a philosophy class led by Mr. Zimit, played by James D’Arcy (Dunkirk, Avengers: Endgame). Zimit leads the class in hypothetical apocalyptic scenarios, questioning them on who they would let into the bunker and how they would spend a year trapped inside.
This movie is rather divisive; audience members either love or hate the film. It has an intriguing premise and a surprisingly star-studded cast, with appearances from Bonnie Wright (Harry Potter), Daryl Sabara (Spy Kids), Freddie Stroma (Peacemaker), Katie Findlay (How to Get Away With Murder), Maia Mitchell (The Fosters), and Jacob Artist (Glee). However, Zimit is a bit overdone as a villain, so absolutely vile that he can make the film hard to watch. But the movie’s moral struggles provide a lot of material to think about, making After the Dark the perfect film for those who enjoy an indie film with provocative philosophical themes.
- The Miracle Season (2018)
Sports films usually follow a formula more rigid than any other genre, but The Miracle Season focuses on an aspect of life not typically associated with comeback films: loss. Based on a true story, the film follows the Iowa City High School volleyball team after the loss of their star setter, Caroline Found, played by Danika Yarosh (Heroes Reborn, Greenhouse Academy). Leading the team is Caroline’s best friend and replacement setter, Kelley Fliehler, played by Erin Moriarty (Jessica Jones, The Boys), as well as head coach Kathy Bresnahan, played by Academy Award-winning actress Helen Hunt (Cast Away, Soul Surfer). Both of these women have appeared in previous entries in this list, After the Dark and Candy Jar respectively, and both carry the emotional burden of the narrative within this film. But the most compelling character of all is Caroline’s father, Dr. Ernie Found, played by late Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt. Serving as the team’s mentor while simultaneously mourning the deaths of his wife and daughter, Dr. Found represents everyone who’s lost a loved one and still managed to walk around with their heads held high.
The film’s biggest critics disliked the dueling tones of the film, but I personally enjoyed the genre twist. The Miracle Season avoided one of the biggest problems in fiction: having their main characters overcome the grief of a loved one’s death in no time at all. There’s raw emotion and struggles with feelings of inadequacy, and every sorrowful scene makes the team’s eventual victory feel all the more satisfying.