Odessa A'zion's New Movie Is a Quirky & Heartfelt Coming-Of-Age Story You Need to See

Odessa A'zion, whose star rose in 2025 thanks to her roles in Marty Supreme and the TV series I Love LA, returns to the big screen in the poignant dramedy Pools.

This is the directorial debut of Sam Hayes, who also wrote the screenplay, and it's unlike any other teen movie around today – and that's precisely its strength.

While it may initially seem like a collection of quirky scenes and eccentric characters, Pools gradually reveals itself to be a deeply sincere story about growing up, loss, and finding oneself when the world around you has collapsed.

What Is 'Pools' About?

Kennedy used to be an A student and earned a scholarship to study economics at university. However, following her father's death, her grades have deteriorated: she is consistently failing, rarely attends class and is now at risk of expulsion.

The principal has tried hard to empathise with her, but Kennedy hasn't taken advantage of the opportunities she's been given. After receiving her final warning, Kennedy decides to celebrate her last night of freedom instead of preparing for her exams.

She wants to throw a pool party, but there are no pools on the college campus – only in the surrounding private neighbourhoods.

The Main Characters in 'Pools' Are Strange Teenagers Who Are Hiding Deep Pain

The first thought that comes to mind when watching Pools is that everything seems strange. Kennedy skips class just because her teacher asks her what she's doing, then she runs through the dorm hallways and climbs trees.

The principal lustfully watches the air conditioning technician at work and Kennedy's friend Reed spends days doing push-ups in the courtyard wearing nothing but yellow shorts. The dialogue is hyperbolically theatrical – people don't talk like that in real life.

But behind this apparent absurdity lie heavy topics: Kennedy's father has died and she doesn't know how to move on; Reed wants to prove that he is more than just a muscle man.

Every character has their own internal struggle, and their conversations with each other help them to understand themselves and figure out where to go next.

Pools Become a Metaphor for Healing and Growing Up

Swimming pools play a pivotal role in the plot. It is no coincidence that the main character is drawn to them: for Kennedy, water symbolises both loss and healing. Almost all of the movie's most important conversations take place in the water.

In just two nights – the one with the party and the next – Kennedy manages to make significant progress. Rather than receiving ready-made answers, she gradually learns to ask the right questions.

The movie echoes Amélie, the British comedy Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, and even the drama The Bling Ring.

Pools is a film that begins as a series of strange scenes and ends as a touching, sincere and deeply human story about surviving the unbearable and finding the strength to move on.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Pools'?

• Pools has 81% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Pools scored 3.2/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Pools'?

Pools is available to buy or rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.