“Hey, have you seen this movie? What did you think about THAT SCENE?!” We have all used that phrase at one point during our discussions of movies with the other person’s eyebrows raising, “Oh yea, THAT SCENE!” You go on to pick that memorable scene apart by listing what you loved or didn’t like, how it made you feel, and the impression it left on you.
In this series, we will do just that. We will take a scene from a movie and discuss its impact on us. Some of these scenes may be frightening, weird, iconic, controversial, hilarious, and everything in between. Let us know your impression of the scene and the impact it left on you the first time you watched it down below in the comments. Enjoy!
*Warning: May Contain Spoilers*
Movie: Eighth Grade (2018)
Scene: Truth or Dare
THE PLAYERS
Director: Bo Burnham
Characters: Elsie Fisher (Kayla) and Daniel Zolghadri (Riley)
THE SETUP
Not many coming-of-age films have captured the raw essence of adolescent awkwardness and vulnerability as well as Bo Burnham did in Eighth Grade. The film follows the journey of Kayla Day, a thirteen-year-old navigating the treacherous waters of middle school and self-discovery in the digital age. She is in her final week at middle school and has been posting motivational vlogs on YouTube about confidence and self-image that receive few to no views. Through a series of some typical junior high awkward encounters, Kayla finds a bright spot as a friendship blossoms with a senior named Olivia.
After spending a fun day with some upperclassmen and almost dying of embarrassment from her dad spying on her, a senior boy named Riley offers to give Kayla a ride home. This leads to our scene which is expertly crafted to encapsulate the anxieties and uncertainties of adolescence.
THAT SCENE
THE EXECUTION
As a father to a teenage daughter, this both hurts my heart and enrages me at the same time. I remember getting so upset my eyes teared up wanting to reach through the screen to punch that little peep squeak and protect Kayla. This just speaks to the masterful portrayal of discomfort and unease Burnham’s direction and Elsie’s acting created. From the awkward silence to the broken conversation, every moment feels painfully authentic. As viewers, we are transported back to our own adolescent years, where every interaction felt like walking a tightrope between wanting to fit in and fearing rejection.
What makes the scene truly uncomfortable is its realism. There are no dramatic revelations or over-the-top confrontations; instead, we are confronted with the mundane yet profoundly impactful moments that shape our sense of self. The discomfort is palpable as Kayla squirms in her seat, desperately searching for an escape route from the uncomfortable situation. The scene is a testament to Burnham’s keen understanding of his characters and their emotional journeys. Through subtle gestures and nuanced performances, he captures adolescent insecurity with remarkable empathy and insight. Elsie Fisher’s portrayal of Kayla is particularly remarkable, conveying a depth of emotion far beyond her years.
The backseat scene in Eighth Grade stands as a testament to the power of cinema to capture the complexities of the human experience. It serves as a stark reminder of the awkwardness and vulnerability inherent in adolescence, and the universal struggle to find acceptance and connection in a world that often feels overwhelming and isolating. As uncomfortable as it may be to watch, it is ultimately a deeply humanizing and empathetic portrayal of a pivotal moment in the journey from childhood to adulthood.
What do you think of this awkward scene and Elsie Fisher’s performance?