Olivia Wilde's Directorial Debut Is an Instant Teen Classic With 96% on RT You Probably Missed

In 2019, Olivia Wilde achieved something few others have: she directed one of the best teen films of the decade on her first try. Her directorial debut, Booksmart, received rave reviews and was hailed as an instant classic.

Often called a female version of Superbad, this incredibly funny, touching, and heartfelt movie brings a fresh perspective to the typical teen comedy trope of the painful transition into adulthood.

What Is 'Booksmart' About?

Molly and Amy are best friends and straight-A students who are about to graduate from high school. Their futures are already set, and they couldn't be more promising: Molly is going to Yale, and Amy is volunteering in Botswana.

But the day before graduation, Molly learns that the school's biggest bully got into Yale, the most hopeless sophomore received an offer from Google, and the underachieving football players were accepted into the Ivy League without hesitation.

Frustrated by these injustices and realizing they were wrong to judge their classmates for their wild lifestyles, the friends decide to make up for all the school parties they missed in one night.

'Booksmart' Is a Stunning On-Screen Chemistry and Exploration of Girl Friendship

Booksmart rests on two pillars: a brilliant script and a perfect acting duo. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever deliver one of the most compelling portrayals of best friends in the history of teen cinema.

Their on-screen chemistry transforms the film into a sparkling journey full of surprises, awkward moments, and intense conflicts.

With irony and tenderness, Olivia Wilde explores the pitfalls of adolescence and female friendship. She throws the heroines into a whirlwind of absurd, adrenaline-fueled, and touching situations, from meeting the school principal in a taxi to escaping from prison.

Not only is this story of two girls one of the wittiest high school comedies in recent years, it is also a reflection on the importance of having a true friend by your side as you navigate first crushes, broken hearts, and experimentation.

'Booksmart' Has Rightfully Earned Its Place as a Modern Classic

Booksmart raises a question that many teenagers have asked themselves on the eve of graduation: is it possible to have a real high school experience if you spend all the years studying and ignoring your peers' parties?

The characters were so focused on their future academic careers that they missed essential school experiences until adulthood.

Wilde has created a film that touches the hearts of viewers of all ages because it is based on simple, universal human values. Like life at 18, Booksmart is full of surprises, but the most important thing is the unforgettable fun and the hope that it will never end.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Booksmart'?

• Booksmart has 96% from critics and 77% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.1/10.

• On Letterboxd, Booksmart scored 3.7/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Booksmart'?

Booksmart is available to stream on Netflix.