My Favourite Coming-Of-Age Films
The coming-of-age genre is one of my favourites, if not the favourite, genre of mine. Watching characters progress in life by learning, growing, and understanding the world around them and understanding themselves creates a level of nostalgia for me. In a lot of ways, this genre also helps me understand and see other aspects of life and progresses me in my own coming-of-age story. So, these are my favourite coming-of-age films I have seen (so far in my life) and how they have made an impact on me.
The Florida Project dir. Sean Baker (2017)
Coming-of-age films which tell the story through the eyes of the child make me feel nostalgic. Looking at the world through a child’s perspective can sometimes be quite emotional; due to their innocence when faced with difficult “grown-up” situations they may not fully understand. The Florida Project tells the story of Moonee (Brooklynn Prince), a six-year-old girl who lives with her Mum (Bria Vinaite) in a motel nearby Disney World Florida. The film focuses on the adventures Moonee and her friends get up to during the summer holidays whilst her Mum tries to make ends meet. The film also stars Willem Dafoe, who plays Bobby, the manager of the motel. As well as the beautiful cinematography, courtesy of DOP Alexis Zabe, the performances by everybody are amazing and faultless.
Spirited Away dir. Hayao Miyazaki (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki is one of my favourite directors of all time and Studio Ghibli will always hold a special place in my heart. I have been watching Ghibli films ever since I was child, so they already fill me with nostalgia regardless. I would say Spirited Away is one of my favourite coming-of-age films I have seen. Whilst Ghibli films typically tell the story of resilience and finding ourselves in life, this film focuses on the journey of ten-year-old Chihiro alone in a spirit world inhabited by supernatural beings after her parents are turned into pigs. Especially at the start, Chihiro is completely alone, which is probably the most daunting and terrifying experience for any ten-year-old. Her growth and independence are inspiring and like many Studio Ghibli films, emphasize and highlight a strong, female character, something I admire and love about Miyazaki’s work. As well as the coming-of-age story in which Chihiro navigates around a completely unknown world, the animation and score (by regular Studio Ghibli collaborator, Joe Hisaishi) are beautiful. An amazing, timeless film through and through.
Little Miss Sunshine dir. Valerie Faris (2006)
An iconic coming-of-age film that I’m sure many people are familiar with is Little Miss Sunshine, which tells the story of a family determined to get their daughter into a beauty pageant final by taking a cross-country road trip across America. As well as the main overarching story of the beauty pageant and the hope that Olive (Abigail Breslin) will win, each family member also has their own coming-of-age story. Olive’s hopefulness and innocence bring the family together in many ways and highlights the importance of family and togetherness. Little Miss Sunshine also stars Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, and Paul Dano - as well as many more amazing actors. A really heartfelt tragicomedy I highly recommend to anybody.
Let The Right One In dir. Tomas Alfredson (2008)
I love the mixture of coming-of-age and horror and how the innocence and story of growth can be juxtaposed by horror and its elements. Let The Right One In does exactly that. Alfredson’s Swedish horror story tells the tale of Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a twelve-year-old boy who gets to know his new, mysterious neighbour - Eli (Lina Leandersson). The two soon form a close bond and Eli’s secret begins to unravel. As you see in the film, the bond both Eli and Oskar have and form for one another is beautiful and can sometimes be quite emotional. Even though both characters are incredibly different from one another (I don’t want to give anything away), they both have lots of similar qualities; notably, feeling very lost and lonely. This is such a lovely coming-of-age story as well as an amazing horror film. Highly recommended for fans of both genres.
Bones and All dir. Luca Guadagnino (2022)
The most recent addition to the list as well as another film that fits into the “coming-of-age, horror hybrid” is Bones and All, the most recently released film by Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell, Bones and All focuses on the blossoming love between two young cannibals, Maren and Lee, as they try to navigate the world around them as well as control their strong, animalistic urges. Bones and All is also a road-trip movie (one of my favourite types of films) set in the 80s (one of my favourite decades for films). As well as the intense and heart-wrenching story, the setting and journey the characters take are also a win for me as a viewer. Taylor Russell is outstanding as Maren and I honestly hope she is recognized more for her work and performances (check out Waves too!).
The Worst Person In The World dir. Joachim Trier (2022)
Many people assume that coming-of-age stories can only happen to those who are young. But, let’s be honest - we don’t figure things out the minute we become adults. Whether it’s working out what we want to do for a career, where we want to live, or getting to grips with our love life - the answers to these things don’t come automatically. Norwegian Director Joachim Grier’s The Worst Person In The World perfectly encapsulates this and shows the coming-of-age story we all face when we become the main character in during our twenties. This was one of my favourite films of 2022 and has become one of my favourite coming-of-age films I have seen so far. It’s also the third film in Trier’s “Oslo Trilogy”, which also features two other wonderful films worth checking out - Reprise (2006) and Oslo, August 31st (2011). Coming-of-age films with a focus on children and adolescents can be nostalgic to watch but when in your twenties, films like The Worst Person In The World can be relatable and in many ways, helpful to what we are facing.