---
title: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
year: 2012
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower"
fi1m_id: "the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower"
imdb_id: "tt1659337"
tmdb_id: 84892
wikidata_id: "Q675468"
fi1m_score: 76
critics_score: 65
critics_reviews: 21
published: "2026-09-17"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:42.604261+00:00"
region: "PL"
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."
---

# The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Directed by Stephen Chbosky · 1h 43m · PISF 16 · Drama

## Identity

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower
- **IMDb ID:** tt1659337
- **TMDB ID:** 84892
- **Wikidata ID:** Q675468
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659337/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/84892, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q675468

**Fi1m score: 76** · Critics 65 from 21 reviews

*In a sentence:* Three young actors make us forgive quite a lot of meaningful music

> Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller make this familiar high-school drama worth an evening. Its sympathy is persuasive, though Stephen Chbosky sometimes crowds the story with more pain than he gives himself time to explore.

## Synopsis

In the early 1990s, Charlie (Logan Lerman) starts his first year of high school, struggling to find a place among the other pupils. Two older students, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), befriend him and offer a way into their circle. Charlie wants to belong, but his own troubles make the prospect of a fresh start difficult. With Sam and the quick-witted Patrick taking an interest in him, he begins to discover what school might be like with friends to share it.

## Review

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower* is a good high-school drama whose young actors make a familiar story feel worth telling again. Stephen Chbosky, writing and directing, takes the business of finding friends seriously, even when his script seems to be consulting a checklist of adolescent troubles. He gives these feelings the space they occupy in a teenager’s life. That can be a great deal of space. The film is at its most convincing when it allows friendship to be enjoyable without immediately explaining why it matters.

Charlie is a first-year high-school pupil whose introduction to Sam and Patrick gives him a chance to belong. Logan Lerman makes his vulnerability convincing through the effort that seems to go into simply joining in. There is a strain in his reserve, as though conversation requires work the others cannot see. We were moved by the friendship offered to him, because his relief at being included feels so uncertain. The performance keeps the boy’s troubles present without making every conversation an announcement of them.

Ezra Miller gives Patrick a comic confidence that also seems to take work to maintain. The jokes could easily leave him performing the same useful service in every scene; instead, his company has an unpredictability that helps the friendship feel lived in. Emma Watson’s Sam completes a trio whose pleasure in one another is the film’s strongest reason to keep watching. Even when the writing sounds prepared, the three actors make affection seem spontaneous.

Andrew Dunn’s cinematography gives the early-1990s setting a nostalgic warmth that occasionally feels too comfortable for Charlie’s distress. It suits the pleasure of finding friends, though the images can soften the discomfort the actors are working to sustain. Inbal Weinberg’s production design is less insistent about the period, helping it feel like somewhere these characters can live. That unobtrusive approach is welcome whenever the writing begins to press a point too hard.

Mary Jo Markey’s editing keeps the episodic story moving, but the heavier material needs more breathing space than it gets. As one teenage concern follows another, the accumulation can make distress feel like a requirement of the school year. Michael Brook’s score is comparatively restrained; it is the prominent songs that sometimes tell us too insistently how to feel. The record collection is carefully chosen, but there are occasions when musical taste has to do work that belongs to the writing. The performances seldom need that assistance.

As coming-of-age dramas go, this is a conventional one, with voice-over, conspicuous musical taste and more trouble than one story can comfortably accommodate. Its sincerity survives because the cast gives the friendships humour and friction, and because Stephen Chbosky does not treat being young as a condition to be mocked. There are passages where a little less explanation would help us feel more. Anyone impatient with teenage earnestness should approach with caution. If this is your kind of school story, make time for the three people at its centre.

*Fi1m score 76, published 17 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to The Perks of Being a Wallflower, with praise concentrated on its young cast and its understanding of teenage loneliness and friendship. Logan Lerman’s vulnerability makes Charlie an engaging centre, while Ezra Miller draws particular notice for giving Patrick charisma and complexity. Emma Watson also earns praise, and even several less enthusiastic reviews admire the central trio. Supporters find that Stephen Chbosky’s emotional sincerity makes familiar high-school situations feel personal and convincing.

The spread is wide, however, and the main disagreement concerns how much that sincerity excuses. More reserved critics find the storytelling episodic, the direction awkward and the treatment of difficult subjects rushed. The soundtrack supplies atmosphere for some but substitutes for characterisation for others. Collider sees an antidote to coming-of-age clichés; Slant Magazine finds manipulation and condescension. Between those positions, the consensus favours the performances more consistently than the writing or direction.

## Straight answers

**Is The Perks of Being a Wallflower worth watching?**

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower* is worth watching for anyone who likes a sincere high-school drama, and we scored it 76. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller make a familiar story of finding friends feel worth telling again, though Stephen Chbosky crowds in more adolescent trouble than he has time to explore. Anyone impatient with teenage earnestness should approach with caution.

**How long is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and what is it rated?**

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower* runs 1h 43m and is rated 16 by the PISF in Poland. It is a drama film.

**Where can I watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower in Poland?**

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower* is streaming on HBO Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in Poland, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video from zł 9.99. It leaves HBO Max on 30 September. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and is it suitable for children?**

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower* is a 12A drama with no violence or frights to speak of, and it suits teenagers rather than younger children. The difficulty is emotional: Charlie carries troubles of his own, and one teenage concern follows another until distress starts to feel like a requirement of the school year. Younger viewers may find the weight of it hard to follow.

**How does The Perks of Being a Wallflower compare to Booksmart?**

*The Perks of Being a Wallflower* is the sadder and more earnest of the two, while [*Booksmart*](https://film.one/film/booksmart) is the funnier and the warmer. Both are carried by friendships that feel lived in, but Chbosky's film piles on pain it does not always have time for, and Wilde's tidies its characters' mistakes a little too neatly. Choose Perks for tenderness and Booksmart for laughs.

**What should I watch after The Perks of Being a Wallflower?**

After *The Perks of Being a Wallflower*, try [*Booksmart*](https://film.one/film/booksmart) (2019, Fi1m 81): For another close friendship tested by the awkward business of leaving school. Then [*Ghost World*](https://film.one/film/ghost-world) (2001, Fi1m 84): A drier, less comforting account of outsiders discovering the limits of their friendship; and [*Beautiful Thing*](https://film.one/film/beautiful-thing) (1996, Fi1m 80): A tender romance with awkward young people and a welcome shortage of condescension.

### Reviews we read (21)

- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (85/100, inferred): Chbosky captures the exquisite feeling of belonging among friends while sensing its fleeting nature and the pain of loss. The film nails teenage alienation through strong performances and a nostalgic yet pained evocation of early-90s misfit life. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/movie-review-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower.html)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (80/100, inferred): The film is a smartly observed study of a troubled teen’s first year in high school thanks to strong performances from its young cast. Ezra Miller in particular brings jolts of electricity to teen conversations. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-sep-20-la-et-mn-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-movie-review-20120921-story.html)
- **Evening Standard** (70/100, inferred): The film is a compendium of high-school coming-of-age tropes but executes them with rare intensity, sweetness and purity. It earns its sentimentality through strong performances, especially from Ezra Miller and Emma Watson, and a convincing central trio. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-review-8199092.html)
- **Film Comment**, Violet Lucca (70/100, inferred): The adaptation is more restrained than the source novel in its handling of trauma and omits some darker elements. It benefits from strong performances by the young cast and a focus on showing rather than telling Charlie's story. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-stephen-chbosky-review/)
- **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): The review notes that while the film offers little new on adolescent angst, it potently captures the immediacy of teen life through strong performances and emotional observation. Ezra Miller’s turn as Patrick is highlighted as a standout for its charisma and complexity. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower/5046225.article)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (70/100, inferred): The adaptation is likable and unsurprising, serving mainly as a showcase for its young cast. Ezra Miller stands out with texture in his role as the witty gay quipster. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/21/movies/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-directed-by-stephen-chbosky.html)
- **Total Film** (70/100, inferred): It is a decent stab at the earnestly heartfelt high-school drama, with an episodic story covering heavy teen issues and strong music references. Logan Lerman delivers a career-making turn with charm and vulnerability that will strike a chord with the intended audience. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-review/)
- **The New Yorker** (60/100, inferred): Stephen Chbosky wrote and directed this adaptation of his novel about a high-school freshman befriended by two seniors. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower)
- **Time Out** (3/5): The critic praises the gentle, personal debut from writer-director Stephen Chbosky for putting viewers on the side of its teenage characters from the start. Performances from Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller are singled out as particularly impressive for conveying the intensity of youthful emotions. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower)
- **Variety**, Rob Nelson (60/100, inferred): The formula-hugging coming-of-age soaper benefits from memorable performances by its young trio, especially Emma Watson breaking type. First-time director Chbosky adapts his novel with more passion than skill. [Read](https://variety.com/2012/film/markets-festivals/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-1117948248/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Jordan Mintzer (55/100, inferred): The film offers some amusing insights into adolescent angst but is held back by familiar indie tropes like voice-over and a studied soundtrack, preventing it from fully coming to life. It is a heartfelt but rather generic coming-of-age dramedy. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/perks-being-a-wallflower-toronto-368762/)
- **Empire**, Dan Jolin (50/100, inferred): The film is often clumsy and awkward with scrappy direction but has something that chimes, helped by the period setting and strong casting. Logan Lerman is surprisingly likable, Ezra Miller handles his role with care, and Emma Watson is all grown up and convincing. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/perks-wallflower-review/)
- **The Guardian** (40/100, inferred): The critic describes the film as a cluttered rite-of-passage story adapted from the director's novel, with familiar high-school elements and sensitive themes handled in a rushed manner. It is called obvious and familiar overall, though adequately acted. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/07/perks-of-being-a-wallflower-review)
- **Slant Magazine**, Chris Cabin (25/100, inferred): The adaptation is manipulative and condescending, relying on heavy-handed rhetoric and victimization rather than genuine artistry or joy. Chbosky fails to find the pulse of life in his characters or communicate the excitement of their experiences. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Joe Cunningham (4.5/5): The critic praises Chbosky for balancing the coming-of-age story authentically, highlighting strong performances especially from Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller. The film stands out for its genuine portrayal of teenage life and relationships, making it one of the best in the genre since Adventureland. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-review/)
- **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (A-): The review lauds the film's authentic depiction of teenage experiences, crediting director Stephen Chbosky's understanding of the material for its nuance and emotional depth. Strong performances from the leads, particularly Logan Lerman, and a well-curated soundtrack contribute to its charm and potential as a genre classic. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-a-touching-fresh-funny-take-on-teenage-love-life-20120919/)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (8.7/10): The critic calls the film the cure for clichéd indie coming-of-age stories, praising its authentic characters dealing with real issues and strong performances, especially Logan Lerman as the vulnerable Charlie. [Read](https://collider.com/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-movie-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (80/100, inferred): Chbosky's adaptation succeeds as a sincere and convincing coming-of-age drama despite familiar tropes, with excellent performances from the lead trio elevating the material. It feels like a fresh John Hughes-style teen movie with a darker edge on mental health. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a408116/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-review-digital-spys-verdict/)
- **NME**, Owen Nicholls (70/100, inferred): The film captures the highs and lows of high school effectively and avoids being overly twee, with Logan Lerman's lead performance carrying it. Chbosky adapts his own novel without major Hollywood distortions. [Read](https://www.nme.com/blogs/the-movies-blog/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-a-high-school-comedy-that-escapes-tweedom-just-761415)
- **The Wrap** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the coming-of-age story compelling for its young characters but notes that adults may tire of the teen angst by the final third. The film is praised for sympathetically portraying smart, troubled kids beyond stereotypes, though a key plot reveal leans on cliché. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/perks-being-wallflower-review-been-there-done-unless-youre-15-57331/)
- **The Skinny**, Jamie Dunn (★★): The script mistakes a record collection for personality and relies on clichés, resulting in phoney melodrama despite fine work from the young cast. Lerman shines but the talented actors are ultimately wasted. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower)

## Details

- **Director:** Stephen Chbosky
- **Director:** Stephen Chbosky
- **Screenplay:** Stephen Chbosky
- **Cinematography:** Andrew Dunn
- **Editor:** Mary Jo Markey
- **Music:** Michael Brook
- **Production design:** Inbal Weinberg
- **Producer:** John Malkovich, Russell Smith, Lianne Halfon
- **Cast:** Logan Lerman as Charlie; Emma Watson as Sam; Ezra Miller as Patrick; Mae Whitman as Mary Elizabeth; Kate Walsh as Mother; Dylan McDermott as Father; Melanie Lynskey as Aunt Helen; Nina Dobrev as Candace
- **Runtime:** 1h 43m
- **Certificate (PISF):** 16
- **Release (Poland):** 7 February 2013
- **Genres:** Drama
- **Budget:** $13 million
- **Box office:** $33 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0nTfbg24Qs

## Where to watch in Poland

- HBO Max: streaming, leaving 2026-09-30
- Netflix: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on
- Apple TV: rent zł 9.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent zł 9.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy zł 24.99, sd
- Apple TV: buy zł 24.99, sd

*Checked 2026-09-17.*

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

## If you liked this

- *Booksmart* (2019), Fi1m 81: For another close friendship tested by the awkward business of leaving school. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/booksmart.md)
- *Ghost World* (2001), Fi1m 84: A drier, less comforting account of outsiders discovering the limits of their friendship. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ghost-world.md)
- *Beautiful Thing* (1996), Fi1m 80: A tender romance with awkward young people and a welcome shortage of condescension. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/beautiful-thing.md)
- *Linda Linda Linda* (2005): School friendships given room to develop, with music that earns its place.
- *The 400 Blows* (1959), Fi1m 91: For a less reassuring account of a boy struggling to belong. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-400-blows.md)

---
© 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/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower