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.
A Monster Calls (2016)
A boy tries hard to deal with worries, confusion, and grief brought about as a result of his terminally ill mother.
Small Miracles aka The Testimony of Taliesin Jones (2000)
A young boy conducts a philosophical inquiry into the concept of a God.
Rich Hill (2014)
A film, styled as a documentary, about three boys growing up poor in rural America.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a touching Coming-of-Age adventure/comedy that follows the development of a friendship between a grumpy old man and a naive ten-year-old boy.
Holy Matrimony (1994)
Holy Matrimony is a comedy about the robbing of a country fair and all that happens as a result of it.
Theis and Nico (1999)
Theis and Nico is a funny and heartwarming film that be equally enjoyed by viewers of all ages.
How Green Was My Valley (1941)
A timeless portrayal of a bygone, simpler time, How Green was My Valley is a story filled with wisdom, insights and a tint of bitter sweet nostalgia.
Captain Fantastic (2016)
A Coming-of-Age experience for almost all the characters in this film, from the oldest to the youngest. Highly recommended for the free spirits out there.
Roller Coaster (2008)
Roller Coaster features an abundance of dramatic and visual surprises, making its 30 minute length fly by.
Boyhood (2014)
Boyhood is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting.
World Wide Woven Bodies (2015)
World Wide Woven Bodies is as much about the Coming-of-Age of a Norwegian teenager as it is about the advent of the internet as a 90s historical event.
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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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