Good Kids

Good Kids is a 2016 American teen comedy-drama film directed by Chris McCoy, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie features an ensemble cast of young stars, including Nicholas Braun, Zoey Deutch, Mateo Arias, Israel Broussard, and Julia Garner.

The movie revolves around four high school graduates named Andy, Nora, Spice, and Lion, who are best friends and have always been considered the goody two-shoes of their school. Determined to experience an unforgettable summer before heading off to college, the group decides to ditch their disciplined ways and indulge in all the vices they had previously avoided.

The film starts with the group attending their high school graduation ceremony, where they are all praised for being the perfect students who never stepped out of line, knew their goals in life, and always did what was expected of them. However, the group feels like they have missed out on so much by staying on the straight and narrow path.

Determined to make up for lost time, the group sets out to experience everything they felt they had missed out on. They begin by drinking, partying, and doing drugs while also engaging in risky behavior, such as stealing a boat for a joyride. Along the way, they meet other teens who have a similar mentality, including a shy girl who they encourage to come out of her shell, a skateboarder who becomes one of their love interests, and a young man who is open about his sexuality.

As the summer progresses, the group begins to realize that their carefree lifestyle has unintended consequences. They discover that drinking alcohol and taking drugs comes with a price, and they must deal with the fallout from their actions. The consequences include getting arrested, contracting an STI, and dealing with the emotional turmoil that comes with broken hearts and friendships.

Despite the challenges, the group learns valuable lessons about themselves and how they want to live their lives. They discover that they can have fun and break the rules without compromising their values, and they come to appreciate the significance of true friendship.

Good Kids is an entertaining movie that fortunately avoids the cliché formula of high school comedies. It is a coming-of-age story that explores the themes of self-discovery, friendship, and living life to the fullest while avoiding moralizing clichés. The characters are multi-dimensional, and each one is given the opportunity to grow and mature as the film progresses. Additionally, the humor is well-placed and clever without resorting to crassness or slapstick.

Overall, Good Kids is a refreshing tale about teenagers growing up without the sugar-coating or the melodrama that usually characterize the genre. The movie is worth watching for its excellent cast, engaging storyline, and relatable themes. It is a quirky and witty tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt that they missed out on something in life.