Giant Little Ones (2019)

Giant Little Ones feels special because it treats teenage identity not as a twist to be revealed, but as a messy, tender reality to be lived through—without rushing to pin a label on anyone. Keith Behrman builds a raw, intimate coming-of-age drama where one night’s fallout ripples through friendships, family, and the brutal social ecosystem of high school, and the film’s honesty gives every scene a sting of recognition. Josh Wiggins anchors it with a quietly affecting performance, while Darren Mann and Taylor Hickson help keep the story human even when emotions run hot and words cut deep. It’s intense—there’s harsh language, drinking, and some upsetting behavior—so it’s not a cozy watch, but if you want a compassionate, emotionally intelligent teen drama that respects how complicated growing up can be, this one lands.

Giant Little Ones is clearly trying to be a compassionate, modern coming-of-age drama about sexuality, consent, rumor culture, and how families fracture and heal under pressure. The problem is it stuffs so many hot-button issues into one story that it can feel more like a checklist of “important topics” than a naturally unfolding teenage life, which dulls the emotional punch. Some characters and subplots don’t get the depth they need, so moments that should land hard can end up feeling a bit on-the-nose or rushed. That said, the lead performances are sincere and there’s a genuinely kind, non-judgmental message about not forcing labels too quickly—just know you’re signing up for heavy content, harsh language, and messy teen behavior rather than a subtle, tightly focused drama.