Booksmart
The brief
Olivia Wilde's directorial debut takes the "one wild night before graduation" formula and injects it with genuine wit and surprising heart. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein have electric chemistry as academic overachievers who suddenly panic that they've missed out on the fun parts of high school, leading to increasingly ridiculous attempts to crash the cool kids' party. The humor feels authentic rather than forced, with sharp dialogue that actually sounds like how smart teenagers talk to each other. It moves at a brisk pace that never lets the sentiment get too heavy, even when it's being surprisingly sweet about friendship. Perfect for anyone who loved Superbad but wished it had better female characters, or Edge of Seventeen fans ready for something more upbeat.
The verdict
If you enjoy smart, character-driven comedies with authentic dialogue and genuine heart, this is a brilliant take on the teen party movie that feels fresh and surprisingly sweet. If you prefer broader, more physical comedy or find coming-of-age stories too familiar, the premise might feel like well-trodden ground despite the sharp execution.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for friends' movie night
- 👨👩👧👦 Great mother-daughter watch
- ⚠️ Skip if you hate teen comedies
Heads up
- Teen drinking and party scenes (moderate)
- Sexual content and references (brief)
- Strong language throughout (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Olivia Wilde
- Cast
- Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Victoria Ruesga
Official synopsis
Two academic teenage superstars realize, on the eve of their high school graduation, that they should have
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)
Both feature smart women navigating social pressures and personal growth.
Total runtime: 1h 42m + 2h 0m = 3h 42m
