In a landscape where the “coming of age” genre has become bloated and repetitive, director Molly McGlynn brings a breath of fresh air with her quirky semi-autobiographical film Fitting In. This film follows a teenage girl who must navigate her sexuality after being diagnosed with a rare reproductive disorder which makes sex extremely difficult. Fitting In really stands out with it’s distinct blend of witty humour and genuine personal moments, and should definitely be on your list to see this film.

Following up her excellent performance in The Fallout (2021), former Dance Moms star Maddie Zeigler brings a light and energy to the role of Lindy that only grows brighter as the film progresses through its breezy 105 minute runtime. Her struggles are grounded and insightful while appropriately awkward and funny.

The film’s best quality is it’s unwavering dedication to accurate representation. The script addresses the subjects of women’s sexuality and gender identity respectfully and with nuance. It’s through Lindy’s interactions with the side characters that difficult perspectives on sex, gender, freedom, girlhood and identity are discussed. These issues are better discussed here than in many other coming of age films of the era.

The visuals are a treat for the eyes. It fully embraces suburban aesthetics and symbolism, with cinematography masterfully that does a good job of displaying the characters’ changing inner landscapes. At times, it left more to be desired in terms of visual risk-taking. But with lots of natural light intercut with stylized moments, the attempts to reflect this emotional rollercoaster of self-discovery are usually fairly effective.  

Fitting In is fundamentally a celebration of uniqueness and self-determination. It deftly blends the true personal stories of the director’s teen years with social criticism, dispelling stereotypes and promoting an open and tolerant society. By encouraging viewers to consider their own prejudices and perspectives, the movie promotes compassion and understanding. With it’s authentic takes and effective performances, Fitting In proves itself to be a welcome addition to the world of coming of age films.