Reviews
A curated collection of coming-of-age film reviews focusing on the transitional period of youth. Discover thoughtful critiques that prioritize emotional impact, empathy, and the fragile beauty of growing up on screen. We celebrate young artistic talent and the timeless stories that bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood.
The Girl Next Door (2007)
While not a typical first-love Coming-of-Age film, The Girl Next Door is a film about love – albeit a tragic one.
Together (2009)
A family is suddenly torn apart from a horrific disaster which takes away the life of one parent and leaves the surviving one and the teenage son trying to piece together their shattered lives.
The Other (1972)
The Other is a compelling, shocking and entertaining film that won't leave anyone indifferent. Highly recommended!
Northern Borders (2013)
A young boy is sent by his father to meet his grandparents, who happen to be quite the eccentric farming couple living in the wilderness of Vermont.
The Weapon (1956)
A young boy finds a gun, shoots a friend by accident and, scared, runs away while the police and the US army seek him out.
The Babysitter (2017)
A film with themes that may appeal to a young audience and shock their elders.
The Buddy System (1984)
The Buddy System is a heartwarming, likable little film with Wil Wheaton in one of its central roles.
Mommy’s Little Boy (2017 TV Movie)
A made for TV movie that manages to both intrigue and entertain its viewers.
Playground (2016)
Playground follows a pre-teen girl, her crush, and his best friend as they go through their relatively uneventful lives. But it's a shocking, tumultuous finale that is the all the talk about this film.
The Day Will Come (2016)
The Day Will Come is a serious, well–shot film that won't entertain you, but will deliver an emotional cinematic experience you are unlikely to easily forget.
Grand Hotel (2016)
A pleasant cinematic experience well worth one's time, Grand Hotel is a must see.
Kisses (2017)
A shocking and impactful film that attempts to embed Coming-of-Age experiences in a horror film narrative.
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Léolo(1992)
Léolo is an exemplary Coming-of-Age film, but it requires a specific interest in the genre to fully appreciate it.
Jestem (I Am) – A Profound Coming-of-Age Masterpiece
Jestem is a rare film: a story of survival, of longing, and of the complex architecture of a child’s mind—rendered with precision, empathy, and a profound emotional honesty that lingers long after the credits roll.
Peppermint(1999)
Peppermint (1999) is a Greek Coming-of-Age film starring Giorgos Gerontidakis as young Stefanos Karouzos. Through imaginative childhood adventures, first love, and nostalgic reflections, the film captures the charm and emotional depth of growing up, highlighting the observational style and subtle humor of late ’90s Greek cinema.
The Reflecting Skin (1990) — Growing Into the Darkness
Georgi returns to The Reflecting Skin nearly two decades after his first review — uncovering new layers of fear, beauty, and loss in Philip Ridley’s haunting coming-of-age masterpiece.
Griffin in Summer (2024)
Griffin in Summer is an American independent film in which Griffin’s story delivers a thoughtful, well-acted, and unique Coming-of-Age journey, with enough charm and subtlety to linger in your mind long after the credits roll.
A Father for Charlie (1995)
A Father for Charlie may be a made-for-TV film, but its emotional honesty speaks louder than any big production. With heartfelt performances and a story that touches on themes of morality and compassion, it’s a quietly powerful film.
Secret Delivery (2025)
Set in the final months of World War II, Secret Delivery follows a Czech boy who sneaks across the border into the German Reich to spend time with a German friend. Whenthey come across a wounded French pilot, an adventure begins.
Marshmallow (2025)
Marshmallow (2025) begins with atmospheric horror and psychological intrigue but loses momentum in its slow middle act. While the film is saved somewhat by a clever and imaginative ending, it struggles to justify its feature-length runtime.
The Good Son (1993)
The Good Son follows Mark Evans (Elijah Wood), a boy sent to live with his cousin Henry (Macaulay Culkin) after a family tragedy, only to uncover Henry’s sinister nature beneath a facade of charm.
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