---
title: "Eighth Grade"
year: 2018
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/eighth-grade"
fi1m_id: "eighth-grade"
imdb_id: "tt7014006"
tmdb_id: 489925
wikidata_id: "Q47265121"
fi1m_score: 84
critics_score: 81
critics_reviews: 18
published: "2026-09-16"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:02.352955+00:00"
region: "IE"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Eighth Grade (2018)

Directed by Bo Burnham · 1h 34m · IFCO 15A · Comedy, Drama

## Identity

Eighth Grade

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/eighth-grade
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** eighth-grade
- **IMDb ID:** tt7014006
- **TMDB ID:** 489925
- **Wikidata ID:** Q47265121
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7014006/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/489925, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47265121

**Fi1m score: 84** · Critics 81 from 18 reviews

*In a sentence:* Ninety-four minutes of teenage awkwardness, and we wanted to apologise for every adult who has ever suggested relaxing

> Bo Burnham makes teenage social anxiety funny and painful without dismissing it as a phase. Elsie Fisher makes it worth every uncomfortable pause, even when the writing and music insist too firmly on our sympathy.

## Synopsis

As middle school draws to a close, Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) wants to feel less out of place. Online, she can present a confident version of herself; face to face, words are harder to find. Her YouTube videos give her somewhere to talk about feelings she struggles to explain in company. Around her are Mark Day (Josh Hamilton), Kennedy (Catherine Oliviere) and the other people whose opinions she cannot stop worrying about. High school is approaching, and she wants to be ready for it. For now, finding the confidence to talk to someone is enough of a task.

## Review

*Eighth Grade* takes middle-school loneliness seriously, and still finds room to be funny. We recommend it warmly, with a small reservation about how firmly it sometimes tells us to care. Writer and director Bo Burnham treats Kayla Day as someone worth getting to know, without asking her to become unusually entertaining first. The task is to make ordinary embarrassment matter for 94 minutes, and Elsie Fisher does most of the work.

Kayla’s online confidence gives the film its clearest way into her predicament. She can speak about the person she would like to be, then struggle to manage the same ease around other people. We felt painfully exposed watching her try to sound assured in her videos. Elsie Fisher makes us hear how much effort goes into seeming casual, and Bo Burnham’s writing allows the words to be hesitant and untidy. The humour comes from recognising that effort, so we can laugh without needing her to fail.

Elsie Fisher is particularly good at making Kayla’s wish to belong seem reasonable. Her speech does not arrive polished into neat observations, and we are allowed to hear someone thinking about what might be acceptable to say. Josh Hamilton, as Mark Day, brings warmth to the father-daughter scenes without making parental concern seem sufficient to settle anything. The affection is persuasive because the film makes room for the difficulty of receiving it.

Andrew Wehde’s cinematography works best when it lets us study Kayla’s face: the effort of looking untroubled is visible. Sam Lisenco’s production design helps by keeping the school surroundings unremarkable. The rooms never look as though they have been dressed to explain Kayla to us. We can concentrate on how uncomfortable she feels in them.

Jennifer Lilly’s editing is willing to let an awkward exchange stay awkward, rather than rush to the next joke. The pauses give Elsie Fisher space to make the next words seem difficult, even when there is nothing remarkable about them. Anna Meredith’s music makes the anxiety harder to shrug off, treating small social pressures as something that can feel physically overwhelming. We like that respect for Kayla’s fear, but occasionally the music presses harder than the performance needs.

That occasional overemphasis also affects Bo Burnham’s writing. The affection can grow a little insistent, particularly when a scene seems determined to reassure us that Kayla deserves kindness. We have already reached that conclusion, and the reminders make the film less sharp. It is a modest reservation, but the quieter passages give us more room to feel something for ourselves.

Against the coming-of-age comedy’s habit of rewarding a shy child with sudden charm, this is refreshingly patient with someone who cannot simply switch awkwardness off. It understands that social media offers Kayla somewhere to speak, as well as more opportunities to feel inadequate. That makes it worth an evening even for those of us with no wish to revisit school. Watch it when there is room for a little discomfort alongside the laughter.

*Fi1m score 84, published 16 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics warmly recommend Eighth Grade, with praise centred on Elsie Fisher’s believable performance as the socially anxious Kayla. The reviews credit Bo Burnham with listening closely to teenage speech and treating embarrassment, loneliness and online self-presentation with humour and sympathy. Many find the adolescent experience recognisable beyond its social-media setting. Fisher’s natural delivery and the film’s willingness to take small social encounters seriously underpin much of that enthusiasm.

The spread is largely positive, but the dissent challenges the authenticity that most critics admire. The New Yorker finds Kayla thinly characterised and the film artificial and sentimental, while still praising Fisher for making her plausible. Collider also admires the lead performance but finds the filmmaking underdeveloped and short on telling detail. Elsewhere, reservations concern familiar coming-of-age conventions and how broadly the subject will appeal, rather than the central performance or Burnham’s sympathy for his characters.

## Straight answers

**Is Eighth Grade worth watching?**

*Eighth Grade* is worth watching for anyone who can sit with ninety-four minutes of teenage awkwardness, and we scored it 84. Elsie Fisher makes Kayla Day's wish to belong seem reasonable, and Bo Burnham finds the humour in her effort without needing her to fail. Our one reservation is that the writing and Anna Meredith's music occasionally insist on our sympathy when we have already given it.

**How long is Eighth Grade, and what is it rated?**

*Eighth Grade* runs 1h 34m and is rated 15A by the IFCO in Ireland. It is a comedy and drama film.

**Where can I watch Eighth Grade in Ireland?**

*Eighth Grade* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from €3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Eighth Grade compare to Welcome to the Dollhouse?**

*Eighth Grade* is the kinder of the two films; [*Welcome to the Dollhouse*](https://film.one/film/welcome-to-the-dollhouse) is the harsher. Both watch a girl endure school humiliation, but Bo Burnham asks us to like Kayla, while Todd Solondz gives Dawn Wiener enough unpleasantness to stay believable and refuses sentiment. Choose Burnham's film if you want warmth with the laughter, Solondz's if you would rather have the indignities without comfort.

**What should I watch after Eighth Grade?**

After *Eighth Grade*, try [*Welcome to the Dollhouse*](https://film.one/film/welcome-to-the-dollhouse) (1995, Fi1m 82): A harsher school experience, with the same attention to social humiliation. Then [*Petite maman*](https://film.one/film/petite-maman) (2021, Fi1m 88): A quieter encounter with childhood feelings that adults struggle to put into words.

### Reviews we read (26)

- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (95/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a masterpiece for its realistic portrayal of social exclusion and refusal to follow typical teen rom-com tropes. It highlights the lead performance and the director's commitment to authenticity over star power. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/eighth-grade-review-a-masterpiece-that-breaks-the-teen-rom-com-rules-a4127041.html)
- **Total Film**, Jane Crowther (95/100, inferred): The review describes the film as powerful, emotional, funny, smart and empowering, with universal appeal. It singles out the empathetic, authentic direction and Elsie Fisher's standout performance. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/eighth-grade-review/)
- **Empire**, Ella Kemp (90/100, inferred): The review praises Bo Burnham's debut as an innovative and honest new kind of teen movie that gives voice to those navigating life online. It singles out Elsie Fisher's authentic, raw performance as Kayla for particular praise. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/eighth-grade-review/)
- **Film Comment**, Madeline Whittle (85/100, inferred): The critic praises Burnham's feature debut for its graceful empathy toward early teenage life in a hyper-connected world, singling out the naturalistic performances and perceptive humor that capture adolescent discomfort. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/review-eighth-grade/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (Critics Pick): The critic hails it as a remarkable feature debut and spot-on portrait of Millennial angst, praising Burnham’s sociolinguist’s ear for 21st-century girl-speak and Fisher’s natural delivery of the dialogue. The film is noted for its aching honesty about middle-school self-doubt and social media without veering into simplistic territory. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/eighth-grade-review-1202670924/)
- **Little White Lies**, Hannah Strong (4/4/5): The critic praises Burnham's sensitive, heartfelt debut for its non-judgmental portrait of a teenage girl's anxieties and social-media struggles. They single out Elsie Fisher's believable, endearing performance and the film's intimate, empathetic approach that laughs with rather than at the protagonist. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/eighth-grade)
- **Radio Times**, Stephen Carty (4/5): The critic finds the film more convincing than most teen movies thanks to its youthful cast, keen ear for dialogue, and relatable situations that capture the teenage experience. They single out Elsie Fisher's delightful, naturalistic lead performance as making it particularly endearing. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-wwmh57/eighth-grade/)
- **The Telegraph** (4/5): Elsie Fisher delivers a jaw-droppingly believable performance as the socially anxious Kayla in Bo Burnham’s debut. The film mines exquisite hilarity and empathy from the distortions of adolescent life and social media without comic exaggeration. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/eighth-grade-review-jaw-droppingly-believable-elsie-fisher-lends/)
- **The Times**, Tom Shone (★★★★): Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade is so simple and affecting it makes most other movies seem hoarse with exertion. It captures the overlooked period just before high school with pathos, sympathy and humour through a standout performance by Elsie Fisher. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/article/eighth-grade-film-review-bo-burnham-elsie-fisher-jtrt76wfh)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (4/5): The review lauds the film's gentle, naturalistic depiction of adolescent awkwardness and Elsie Fisher's standout, emotionally exposed performance. It notes some familiar tropes but commends Burnham's growing directorial confidence, authentic father-daughter moments, and the wisdom of keeping it real. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/eighth-grade)
- **Screen Daily** (75/100, inferred): The review highlights the film's sharp observation of social media-influenced adolescence through a series of vignettes that form a focused portrait of youthful angst. It commends Elsie Fisher's authentic performance and Burnham's understanding of the teen milieu, though it questions broader audience appeal. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/eighth-grade-sundance-review/5125753.article)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film overly nice and artificial, assembling Kayla from traits rather than giving her depth, complexity or inner life, while smothering the story in sentiment and stereotypes. Fisher’s performance is praised as the one element that renders the synthetic character plausible. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/bo-burnhams-eighth-grade-reviewed-a-teen-coming-of-age-story-plagued-by-niceness)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang: The critic calls it a sharp, sensitive and enormously affecting portrait of adolescent girlhood that feels like the work of someone who kept his eyes and ears wide open, with naturalistic teen dialogue and a remarkably empathetic approach. Fisher’s funny, watchful and utterly persuasive performance is singled out as giving precise form to universally recognizable emotions. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-eighth-grade-review-20180711-story.html)
- **Slant Magazine**: The critic notes the film's eerie, post-human take on teen life and social media, praising the authentic father-daughter relationship and its honest depiction of unconditional parental love amid a cruel digital landscape. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/eighth-grade/)
- **The Guardian**: Bo Burnham’s directorial debut is a wonderfully naturalistic tale of the end of middle school with a standout turn from Elsie Fisher. The film offers an authentic, documentary-like portrayal of teenage social anxiety and the gap between online confidence and real-life awkwardness. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jul/11/eighth-grade-review-bo-burnham-elsie-fisher)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Leslie Felperin: The critic praises the film's gentle, empathetic portrait of a shy teen navigating middle school and social media, highlighting Elsie Fisher's breakout performance as the standout element that makes the coming-of-age story feel authentic and broadly appealing. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/eighth-grade-review-1076489/)
- **Vulture**: The critic calls the film a haunting, anxiety-filled portrait of adolescence, singling out Elsie Fisher's raw, improvisational performance and the clever use of YouTube videos and buried time capsules as devices that capture modern teen disconnection and self-discovery. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2018/07/bo-burnham-eighth-grade-movie-review.html)
- **Consequence** (A-): Burnham's directorial debut uses empathy to portray the overwhelming social stakes of eighth grade for its awkward protagonist, highlighting a career-making performance from Elsie Fisher and realistic details of modern adolescence. [Read](https://consequence.net/2018/07/film-review-eighth-grade/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (90/100, inferred): Pete Hammond calls it a perceptive and heartwarming coming-of-age story, singling out Elsie Fisher's star-making performance as heartbreakingly good and one of the best of the year. He notes Burnham's impressive debut captures the loneliness and self-doubt of that age perfectly. [Read](https://deadline.com/video/eighth-grade-review-elsie-fisher-coming-of-age-bo-burnham/)
- **Den of Geek**, Delia Harrington (4.5/5): The critic calls it a surprisingly poignant look at healing and growing up online, highlighting Elsie Fisher's endearing performance and Burnham's restraint and insight into teenage girls' lives. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/eighth-grade-review-a-heartfelt-debut/)
- **NME**, Olly Richards (90/100, inferred): The critic deems it an obscenely accomplished directing debut that vividly evokes the awkwardness of adolescence, praising the authentic, heartbreaking realism of the teenagers and Elsie Fisher's performance. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/eighth-grade-review-bo-burnhams-brilliant-directing-debut-will-take-back-awful-awkwardness-adolescence-2480201)
- **The Wrap**, Robert Abele (90/100, inferred): The critic praises Bo Burnham's debut for its sincere and nonjudgmental portrayal of middle school angst in the social media era, highlighting Elsie Fisher's breakout performance as the shy, anxious Kayla. The film is lauded for its authenticity and emotional depth without relying on typical teen movie tropes. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/eighth-grade-film-review-bo-burnham-memorably-illuminates-the-psyche-of-a-fraught-middle-schooler/)
- **Collider**, Adam Chitwood (C+): The film captures awkward middle-school moments and features a strong lead performance from Elsie Fisher, but it feels like a rough draft that lacks the details and cinematic flair to elevate it beyond a fine slice-of-life drama. [Read](https://collider.com/eighth-grade-review-bo-burnham/)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray: The critic praises the film for telling the truth about teenage life and the struggle to make sense of the senseless. They highlight how it captures the feeling of being unappreciated by the cool crowd and the importance of Kayla blogging her own feelings. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/eighth-grade-2018-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **HeyUGuys**, Luke Channell: The critic calls the film a sheer delight that feels fresh, relevant and self-assured as a modern coming-of-ager. They single out Elsie Fisher's revelatory breakthrough performance as Kayla for particular praise. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/eighth-grade-review/)
- **The Playlist**: The critic describes the film as an altogether impressive debut and a millennial 'Welcome to the Dollhouse'. They single out the authentic portrayal of Kayla's self-reflectiveness and Elsie Fisher's pitch-perfect performance. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/bo-burnhams-eighth-grade-is-a-millennial-welcome-to-the-dollhouse-sundance-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Bo Burnham
- **Director:** Bo Burnham
- **Writer:** Bo Burnham
- **Cinematography:** Andrew Wehde
- **Editor:** Jennifer Lilly
- **Music:** Anna Meredith
- **Production design:** Sam Lisenco
- **Costume design:** Mitchell Travers
- **Producer:** Scott Rudin, Lila Yacoub, Christopher Storer
- **Cast:** Elsie Fisher as Kayla Day; Josh Hamilton as Mark Day; Emily Robinson as Olivia; Jake Ryan as Gabe; Daniel Zolghadri as Riley; Fred Hechinger as Trevor; Imani Lewis as Aniyah; Luke Prael as Aiden
- **Runtime:** 1h 34m
- **Certificate (IFCO):** 15A
- **Release (Ireland):** 26 April 2019
- **Genres:** Comedy, Drama
- **Budget:** $2 million
- **Box office:** $14 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8lFgF_IjPw

## Where to watch in Ireland

- Amazon Prime Video: rent €3.99, hd
- Apple TV: rent €3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy €7.99, sd
- Apple TV: buy €7.99, sd

*Checked 2026-09-16.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Welcome to the Dollhouse* (1995), Fi1m 82: A harsher school experience, with the same attention to social humiliation. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/welcome-to-the-dollhouse.md)
- *Rocks* (2019): Friendship and adolescent worry, played with an equally persuasive lack of polish.
- *Linda Linda Linda* (2005): School friendships given time to develop, with music easing the awkward silences.
- *Petite maman* (2021), Fi1m 88: A quieter encounter with childhood feelings that adults struggle to put into words. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/petite-maman.md)
- *The Edge of Seventeen* (2016): A sharper comic voice for another teenager convinced everyone else received instructions.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/eighth-grade