In the film, the female perspective is accurately represented through the lens of a teenage girl named Kayla, who is navigating her final days as an eighth grader. The movie offers a raw and relatable experience young girls face in today’s society. While teenage girls haven’t always gotten the best representation, this movie flips the narrative by focusing on their experiences and internal battles with social pressure.
Let's be honest, who wants to be reminded of how awkward and terrible middle school was? Definitely not me! But this is exactly what makes Eighth Grade so unique and powerful. It forgoes stereotypes and represents a voice we don’t often see on the big screen.
From a feminist perspective, the movie challenges society by demonstrating the way social media affects young girls through self-worth and body image. The opening scene tells you everything you need to know about the pressures of being an eighth grader:
In this video you see Kayla wake up, do her hair and makeup, and lay back down to get the perfect “just woke up like this” picture for Snapchat. While this may seem exaggerated, it highlights the pressures of needing to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
Through her journey, Kayla learns to accept herself and overcome these societal expectations. Rather than being outcast by her awkwardness and cringe-worthy moments, she is celebrated and embraced for them. Eighth Grade is a refreshing take on the female perspective that truly encourages this audience to embrace their imperfections, challenging the traditional portrayal of young women in the media.
Through Kayla's journey of self-acceptance, we learn that sometimes being cringe is part of what makes us human.
How do you think Eighth Grade does in amplifying an underrepresented group? Are there other female perspectives you'd like to see portrayed in the media?
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