Maddie Ziegler's coming-of-age drama tackles a rarely explored part of youth

Fit in Starring Maddie Ziegler in one of her more emotionally demanding roles to date. This is a heartfelt and raw story from writer-director Molly McGlynn. Ziegler's character, Lindy, is diagnosed with MRKH syndrome and quickly discovers that her body does not follow the same binary Or script like most of her classmates. The reproductive condition throws Lindy and her life into turmoil, as it affects not only her relationships with others but also her relationship with herself. While her mom and friends try to support her, Lindy has to learn how to navigate this change in her worldview on her own.

Ziegler first began to flex her dramatic muscles as one of the characters in The FalloutThe 2022 drama that explores the impact of school shootings on a group of young teens. While Fit in Has much more comedy and a lighter tone than The FalloutIt still asks a lot of Ziegler, who is in almost every scene of the film. Although she may not yet be at the level of the iconic star who revolutionized the teen drama genre, Fit in Makes it clear that Ziegler is an actress to watch and that she has excellent taste in projects.

Fit in highlights an important and untold story

Regardless of experiences, the audience will be moved by Lindy's journey

Beginning with a quote from Simone de Beauvoir The second sex and Diablo Cody Jennifer's body, Fit in Makes no secret that this is a tale about the horrors of femininity. Lindy experiences most of these issues firsthand. However, the film puts a fresh spin on the familiar story by engaging with the experiences of young people discovering their intersex identities. Fit in does not exclusively categorize Mary as an intersex condition and leaves a lot of room for Lindy to define who she is on her own terms when it comes to her gender and sexuality.

LGBTQ+ stories are getting more exposure than ever in the coming-of-age genre, and Fit in is a valuable addition to the niche. It also features Sheets creeks Emily Hampshire and is a new movie from Reservation dogs Actor D'preo Woon-a-tai. Ki Griffin and Djouliet Amara make a great cast. One of the film's few failings is that We don't learn much about any character except Lindy. While her mom, Rita (Hampshire), provides some insight into her parallel journey of feeling ostracized from femininity, she doesn't get the same satisfying arc as Lindy.

It's clear that McGlynn is a cinema buff. The script references iconic works of female body horror films viz Ginger snaps And CurryThat tells us everything we need to know. Lindy may not be grappling with newfound supernatural powers, however What the women in those films go through are metaphors for the very real struggles that every teenage girl faces. Adolescence is confusing enough without the added proof that you're different from everyone else. However, Lindy realizes that being different is not bad and it can be a strength.

It's stark that when Lindy picks up the pieces of her life after imploding, the movie doesn't make a big deal about her getting back on track for college or making the overarching conflict her future. Fit in is nuanced enough to recognize that high school and coming of age are dramatic enough on their own, And the added pressure of the future must take a back seat sometimes. In addition, it does not rely on social media or the pressures of technology to tell Lindy's story. They are present and affect your decisions, but they do not overtake the purpose of the story.

After trauma and turmoil, fit ends with a positive outlook

Even if the happily-ever-after ending is predictable, Lindy earns it

structurally, Fit in is not perfect. It overuses montage and features dialogue that leans more into preachy territory Like Lindy's natural expression of their feelings. However, it is impossible to accuse the film of being anything less than emotionally truthful. Lindy makes her fair share of mistakes and gets in her own way many times. Ziegler communicates how much Lindy's diagnosis feels like the end of the world and how impressive it is that she is finding a way to accept and love herself again.

It would be somewhat devastating if, after everything Lindy goes through, she doesn't come out stronger than ever on the other side. There are no real villains in it Fit inAs the people whose opinions Lindy is most afraid of are not her true friends. In some ways, the tough times in her life led to incredible people and relationships that she hadn't considered before. It's no surprise that Lindy makes it out Fit in With a new lease on life, but that doesn't mean it's any less satisfying to see you do it.

Fit in is now available on digital.