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Bo Burnhams new coming-of-age comedyEighth Graderecords the ultimate act of bravery: leaving middle school for high school.
But what of those viewers who are currently living it?
Did you find Kaylas relationship with her dad realistic?
The dad jokes were on point, too.
Hed be really devoted.
Blerina:My moms always stressing about everything.
They love me a lot, I always see them.
They are protective, I guess, cause Im foreign.
So I just think foreign parents are always harder.
So theyre always wondering, they always ask me about my grades …
I thought [Kaylas dad] was actually being a really good father, since her mother left.
Its really important for dads connect with teen girls.
Its always kind of the mom doing that.
Oscar:I thought that [their relationship] was very unrealistic, and a little frustrating.
At my house, no phones at the table.
This girl should have some manners, some decency while shes in the house.
Both of them are lonely, both of them are missing people in their life.
I feel like when I want to talk to them, theyre not listening at all.
Does social media ever stress you out like it does Kayla?
Oscar:I feel like girls are more worried about their image.
A good image means having a lot of Instagram followers.
Trying to put out this image of the perfect life, you know?
Perfect body, perfect hair …
I wouldnt say that [being a guy online] is more chill.
Its like well, actually, I guess itiskind of chill.
Ina:The part where the boy is talking about sending nudes,thats so real.
That happens so much.
I didnt have a boyfriend in eighth grade.
Bella:I have Instagram and Snapchat.
Most of the time, I only use Snapchat to talk to my friends.
If youre going to do a post, thats really for Instagram.
Is being one of the popular kids still such a big deal?
Blerina:The worst part of eighth grade was the popular girls, the mean girls.
I feel like, everyone just always gets attention, they get all the attention.
Theyre just friends with all the people.
So I guess it was really just the popular kids.
Popular is a term thats kind of dying.
But theres still that same hierarchy.
I wouldnt know what to call them, though.
Not popular … Its still about being cool and hot, but its more than that.
Its about being funny, having personality.
Which I guess is kind of the same as before, but the term popular is just dead.
But then I realized that thats not true.
Nobodys hoping for you to fail.
In ninth grade, you lose all your popularity going from middle school to high school.
Its a completely different dynamic.
She doesnt have to worry about those girls at all.
Theyll be doing their own thing, they wont be at the top of the heap.
It all changes once youre in high school.
Oscar:Occupy yourself.
Find something to do, even just a hobby.
But it changed a lot.
I think people dont care as much.
But I had a ton more drama this year than last year.
Just like, with boys, blah blah blah.
I think the best advice would be, just find your real friends and always be yourself.
Cause its really hard to come back from that.
Ina:I think shes going to be a lot happier in high school.
Especially because since she shadowed, she already made friends.
I would just tell her, maybe to not be too desperate with some people.
