coming of age

Illustration of Molly Ringwald in pink with flowered background.

A Holly Jolly Molly Ringwald: John Hughes’ Sexism of an Insecure 80’s Icon

Emily Diaz, DePaul University

John Hughes success lives on through the decades, but at whose expense?…

February 29, 2024

A young girl in a blue dress walks off a stage framed by a red curtain. A stained glass window hangs in front of a black background, depicting a church in a field against a sea-blue sky and a young woman glowing with divinely white light. Two images flank it, an angel to the left and a dragon to the right, framed in yellow.

Analyzing the Play “Mary Gets Hers”

Hamad Naroze, Hunter College

Analyzing the relevancy of female empowerment and independence in Emma Horwitz' new play “Mary Gets Hers”.…

February 24, 2024

‘Star Trek’: Jake Sisko’s Coming of Age Story

Sydney Chastain, Florida State University

One of Star Trek’s most relatable characters for kids and young adults to be on screen.…

December 8, 2023

An illustration of Mckena Grace and her sixteenth birthday cake with red balloons in the background.

Album Review: Mckenna Grace Has a Music Career?

Sarah Deavers, University of Virginia

Straying from her childhood acting roots, Mckenna Grace jumps into the music world with her debut album “Bittersweet 16.”…

September 29, 2023

‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 3 Sees Character Growth From Everyone

Cassandra Jenkins, Temple University

Mindy Kaling’s teen drama series has returned to Netflix, and fans can't wait to see what drama Devi will find herself in this year.…

August 22, 2022

‘Derry Girls’ Is The Coming-of-Age Show That We’ve Desperately Needed

Maggie Habermas, University of Texas at San Antonio

A series about growing up should have Hollywood taking notes.…

April 30, 2022

The Long-Awaited Release of ‘Euphoria’ Season 2 Is Finally Here

Tori Barney, Columbia College Chicago

Just as it was beginning to seem like the show's hiatus would never end, it returned with a bang on HBO and HBO Max.…

January 18, 2022

‘Moxie’ Is a Charming Coming-of-Age Movie With Something to Say

Arianna Taylor, University of Rochester

Netflix’s new original film teaches about coming into one's identity, sexism in highschools and what it means to find something worth fighting for as a teenager.…

March 25, 2021

An illustration of the main characters of To All the Boys: Always and Forever

‘To All the Boys: Always and Forever’ Perfectly Wraps Up the Trilogy

Kieran Benson, Luther College

In the final installment of the romantic-comedy movie series, Lara Jean Covey’s optimistic spirit is refreshing for those who are unlucky in love.…

February 23, 2021

dolls made of unorthodox materials float in a blue pool of water; unorthodox art mediums

Unorthodox Art Mediums Are Perfect For Those Unsure of Their Abilities

Ailun Shi, UC Berkeley

Adulthood is rife with people who no longer believe that they can 'do art.' But these different approaches might convince people to let go of their fears.…

July 15, 2020

Pete Davidson on set of The King of Staten Island

‘The King of Staten Island’ Is a Crowning Achievement for Pete Davidson

Olivia Dimond, Bates College

A departure from the lighthearted comedy you might normally expect from Judd Apatow, this film is engaging, heartfelt and real.…

June 26, 2020

A scene from 'Stargirl' where Stargirl sings to Leo in the school cafeteria

Disney+ Film ‘Stargirl’ Resurrects the Manic Pixie Dream Girl Trope

Juliana Fujii, Biola University

Although the movie wants to inspire teens to 'find themselves,' the shallow plot instead leaves viewers looking for someone else to change their lives.…

June 24, 2020