Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1991. High school freshman Charlie is a wallflower, always watching life from the sidelines, until two senior students, Sam and her stepbrother Patrick, become his mentors, helping him discover the joys of friendship, music and love.
Ratings
Curator score: 7.9/10
IMDb: 7.9/10
Letterboxd: 4.01/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Metacritic: 67
TMDB: 7.8/10
Director
Stephen Chbosky
Production
Mr. Mudd
Cast
Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Melanie Lynskey, Nina Dobrev, Johnny Simmons, Joan Cusack, Paul Rudd, Nicholas Braun, Reece Thompson, Patrick de Ledebur, Brian Balzerini, Tom Kruszewski, Julia Garner, Tom Savini, Emily Marie Callaway, Chelsea Zhang
Where to watch
AMC+, Philo
Curator Review
Verdict
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a poignant exploration of adolescence, mental health, and the power of friendship. It resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or struggled with their identity.
Best for
young adults
fans of coming-of-age stories
viewers interested in mental health themes
Skip if
you prefer light-hearted comedies
you dislike films that tackle serious issues
Overview
The Perks of Being a Wallflower captures the essence of high school life with an authenticity that resonates with many. Charlie's journey from isolation to connection is beautifully portrayed, making the audience feel every moment of his struggles and triumphs. The film's nostalgic 90s setting, combined with a fantastic soundtrack, adds to its charm and emotional weight.
Worth noting
What stands out is the film's ability to address heavy themes such as trauma, friendship, and self-discovery without becoming overly melodramatic. The characters are relatable, and their experiences reflect real-life challenges faced by many. This is a film that not only entertains but also encourages viewers to embrace their individuality and seek meaningful connections.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Logan Kenny (5★) · 29113 likes
ah yes this movie about privileged rich kids dealing with their meaningless shallow problems like the lingering trauma of childhood sexual abuse, dealing with grief over your best friend's suicide, being openly gay and receiving brutal homophobia and dismissal from the man you love, being cheated on and abandoned in relationships and dealing with depression and crippling social anxieties by making connections and bonding with people, to find some form of solace and beauty in a world filled with such… more ah yes this movie about privileged rich kids dealing with their meaningless shallow problems like the lingering trauma of childhood sexual abuse, dealing with grief over your best friend's suicide, being openly gay and receiving brutal homophobia and dismissal from the man you love, being cheated on and abandoned in relationships and dealing with depression and crippling social anxieties by making connections and bonding with people, to find some form of solace and beauty in a world filled with such… more
nick (5★) · 26701 likes
charlie, sam, and patrick...i love you.....but how the fuck did you not know a david bowie song
siobhan (4★) · 26422 likes
if paul rudd was my english teacher he would be the only friend i need in high school tbh
kayla (4.5★) · 16460 likes
Makes you so sad and happy and comforted all at the same time