My Skinny Sister (2015)

My Skinny Sister is special because it treats a painful subject with the clear-eyed tenderness of someone who’s actually lived near it, capturing adolescence not as a montage of milestones but as a messy, funny, aching daily reality. Sanna Lenken finds warmth and even laughter in the cracks, letting the story breathe through small family moments and the charged, intimate push-pull between sisters who adore each other and can’t stop hurting each other. Rebecka Josephson and Amy Deasismont are quietly devastating together, their chemistry making every glance and half-spoken lie feel true, while the film’s realism keeps it from turning into a lecture or a melodrama. It’s not for viewers looking for easy catharsis, but if you want a drama that’s compassionate, honest, and deeply human, this one stays with you.

My Skinny Sister aims to be a compassionate coming-of-age drama about the ripple effects of an eating disorder, seen through the younger sister’s eyes, and it often lands with a quiet, intimate sincerity. The problem is that as it goes on, the storytelling can start to feel a bit too tidy and instructive, like it’s guiding you toward the “right” takeaway instead of trusting you to sit with the messiness. Some viewers may also find the later beats and resolution smoother and more reassuring than the subject really earns, which can blunt the emotional impact. If you want a raw, uncompromising look at illness and family dynamics, this might feel simplified—but if you prefer a gentler, accessible drama with strong performances and warmth, it’s still worth considering.