Rating of
3.5/4
Indyfreak - wrote on 08/19/19
That rare Y/A drama that soars above the rest thanks to an intelligent script,; great acting, and emotional heft . Its main takeaway instructs audiences (especially younger ones) that while traumatic events is overwhelming, they can also become empowering for those experiencing them. Aamndla Stenberg is immediately endearing as Starr, the teen protagonist thrust into the spotlight after a traffic stop gone horribly wrong, resulting in her friend's death. The film covers a surprising lot of ground with its running time. George Tillman's direction helps it avoid seeming like a cynical maudlin exercise and something more thoughtful.
