Our movie nerds Saj and Alice discuss the – coming-of-age – genre of film, beginning by defining the genre, traditionally characterised by a young protagonist’s journey from childhood to adulthood, often marked by significant emotional, sexual, or moral awakening; before challenging this conventional definition, suggesting that coming-of-age experiences can occur at various stages of life, not limited to adolescence.
Exploring who may be drawn to coming-of-age narratives, they suggest that high school stories may serve as a form of escapism, that allows a viewer to relive or reimagine their own experiences.
Saj and Alice discuss a variety of films, which exemplify the coming-of-age genre, in terms of their unique perspective on self-discovery and personal growth, emphasising that coming-of-age stories are not solely about youth.