Booksmart (2019)
Director: Olivia Wilde
Screenwriters: Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins
Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Victoria Ruesga, Mason Gooding, Skyler Gisondo, Diana Silvers, Molly Gordon, Billie Lourd, Eduardo Franco, Nico Hiraga, Austin Crute, Noah Galvin
Olivia Wilde’s debut feature, Booksmart, is a vibrant, witty coming-of-age comedy that refreshes the high school genre with intelligence, heart and modern sensibility. Anchored by two outstanding lead performances, the film balances laugh-out-loud set pieces with a sincere exploration of friendship, identity and the messy business of growing up. Where many teen comedies of the past leaned on clichés, Booksmart uses familiar tropes as a starting point and quickly evolves them into something more inclusive and emotionally honest.
At its core, Booksmart follows two academically driven seniors determined to cram four years of missed adolescent experiences into one unforgettable night. The premise creates ample opportunity for situational comedy—absurd obstacles, escalating mishaps and a series of risky decisions—but the film never loses sight of the bond between its protagonists. That friendship is portrayed with nuance: funny and immature in equal measure, yet never condescending. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein give performances that feel lived-in and immediate, their chemistry the film’s most vital resource. Their timing and warmth make each quiet, revealing moment land as powerfully as the big laughs.
Wilde’s direction and the screenplay’s structure allow both character-driven and plot-driven comedy to coexist. The story builds to a pivotal, nearly silent sequence in which the emotional stakes are laid bare—an instance of restraint that elevates the film beyond typical genre beats. That choice underscores the maturity lurking beneath the relentless humor and highlights how the characters’ growth matters more than any punchline.
Secondary characters in Booksmart are handled with care, deliberately pushed past one-note stereotypes. Jocks, skaters, theatre kids and other high school archetypes emerge as multi-dimensional people rather than caricatures, revealing surprising depth and kindness. This thoughtful development serves two purposes: it criticizes the genre’s outdated portrayals while offering a more compassionate, modern view of adolescence. The result is a sense of genuine togetherness that lingers after the credits roll.
The film’s progressive representation and celebration of diverse identities feel natural rather than performative. Without resorting to tokenism, Booksmart integrates characters whose lives and choices reflect contemporary teens. That inclusivity strengthens both the comedy and the heart of the movie, making it feel timely and relevant. In the way it honors friendship, queerness, and varied adolescent experiences, the film joins a recent wave of thoughtful teen stories while standing out through its distinctive voice.
Recent years have seen a resurgence of the coming-of-age comedy, with films such as Blockers (2018), Love, Simon (2018) and The Edge of Seventeen (2016) all contributing to the genre’s revival. Yet Booksmart distinguishes itself by blending razor-sharp humor with genuine emotional stakes and an unmistakable sense of warmth. It earns comparisons to classics while remaining defiantly its own: fresh, bold and often uproarious.
Ultimately, Booksmart is a modern teen comedy that delivers both on laughs and on heart. It’s a celebration of female friendship, a critique of old stereotypes, and a confident directorial debut that announces Olivia Wilde as a filmmaker with a sharp comedic sensibility and a clear emotional compass. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein’s performances make this film memorable, while the supporting cast enriches the world in surprising and meaningful ways. For anyone who values smart, inclusive, and genuinely funny coming-of-age stories, Booksmart is an essential pick.
20/24