High School is a difficult time for most students, especially when it comes to friendships. Friendships are an ever-changing part of growing up that rarely stay the same as life moves ahead. Many filmmakers have used these experiences to inspire their works and connect with their primary audience.

“Lady Bird”

Though this film focuses heavily on a mother-daughter relationship, Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut displays an extremely realistic look at friendship throughout high school. The film focuses on Lady Bird, played by Saoirse Ronan, as she experiences her senior year of high school, trying to make sense of her life and her difficult relationship with her mother. Though this film focuses heavily on the relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, it does not mean that friendships are entirely ignored. Lady Bird’s relationship with her best friend Julie can be best described as nonlinear. The two may have their differences and fights, but at the end of the day they still care about each other. Even when they start hanging out with other people they still hold that same affection. Overall, “Lady Bird” is a relatable and intimate look at coming of age film that highlights difficulties but importance of relationships.

“Thirteen”

A tragic cautionary tale, “Thirteen” may appear in premise like an infomercial discouraging drug use, but the film displays a raw look at the damaging nature of falling into the wrong crowd. Following, Tracy as she befriends bad girl Evie Zamora, falling into dangerous habits that will change her life forever. To say the film is an easy watch would be a lie, but it’s a necessary watch to understand the traps that teens who befriend the wrong people are at risk of falling into. Tracy and Evie’s relationship gets increasingly toxic; the two get into more illegal and dangerous habits, as the more boundaries are continually pushed. Director Catherine Hardwicke grips the audienced with how real the subject matter was at the time and how relevant it is now. Overall, “Thirteen” is an uncomfortable but much needed watch.

“The Perks Of Being A Wallflower”

Deemed by many to be a modern classic, “The Perks Of Being A Wallflower” is a genuine look at the importance of close relationships. The film follows Charlie, a lonely boy, who befriends two seniors, Sam and Patrick. The film intelligently balances the heartbreaking subject matter with moments of hope that make the film effective in its messaging. This is all summed up in the friendship of the main characters despite all of the conflict that happens that threatens to separate them, they handle it all in a healthy way that allows them to forgive each other. They also manage to support each other in a way that is so endearing to watch that it might move the viewer to tears. No event that each of them goes through scares them away from each other but instead only brings them closer together.“The Perks Of Being A Wallflower” is a genuine look at healthy friendship that should be required viewing for everyone. 

“Jennifer’s Body”

Although it was not appreciated when it was initially released, “Jennifer’s Body” is a clever deconstruction of female friendship disguised as a slasher  Following the story of Anita “Needy” Lesnicki and her attempting to save her best friend, Jennifer Check, after she is possessed by a demon. The wild premise may steer some people away from this film, but it is worth the watch. Needy and Jennifer’s relationship can be best described as codependent with both relying on one another to feel satisfaction. Jennifer is the stereotypical popular girl who uses status to cover up her insecurity. She is heavily reliant  on her best friend to whom dismisses any critique of Jennifer’s behavior towards her. Overall, “Jennifer’s Body” is a darkly funny look at an all-common experience of toxic female friendships.