Crush (2022)

Crush feels special because it treats a queer teen rom-com not as a “statement,” but as a joyous, slightly chaotic fact of life—flirty, funny, and warmly sincere. Sammi Cohen keeps the vibe light and breezy while letting the emotions land, and the film’s big secret weapon is chemistry: Rowan Blanchard’s Paige is all sharp edges and nervous hope, and Auliʻi Cravalho brings a grounded charisma that makes every scene snap into focus. It’s sex-positive without being mean-spirited, inclusive without feeling like a brochure, and genuinely sweet about how confusing first real feelings can be. If you prefer teen comedies that are squeaky-clean or allergic to edgy jokes, it may not be your lane—but if you want a modern romance that’s easy to root for, Crush is an easy yes.

Crush is clearly aiming to be a bright, sex-positive teen rom-com with queer relationships treated as refreshingly normal, and it mostly succeeds at being easy, upbeat comfort viewing. The problem is it plays things so safe that the story can feel prepackaged and predictable, with dialogue that sometimes lands a bit stiff and characters who read more like types than real teenagers. The pacing and tone wobble between sweet sincerity and edgy jokes, so it can feel uneven if you’re hoping for sharper comedy or deeper emotional stakes. That said, the cast is likable and the vibe is warm, so if you want a low-stress, modern high school romance rather than something bold or surprising, this will do the job.