“Unexpectedly Raw and Beautiful – Teenage Kicks Hits Hard”

I stumbled across Teenage Kicks (2016) not really knowing what to expect, but I’m so glad I gave it a shot. This Australian indie drama isn’t your typical coming-of-age film. It’s messy, emotional, and incredibly real.

The story follows Miklós, a teenage boy trying to navigate grief, guilt, and desire after the sudden death of his brother. It’s a lot. And yet, the film handles it with such a delicate balance of chaos and vulnerability that I found myself fully pulled into his world.

Miles Szanto’s performance as Miklós is raw and magnetic. You can feel his pain, his confusion, and that desperate need to figure out who he is – not just as a queer teenager, but as a person dealing with loss. The cinematography is also surprisingly gorgeous for such a low-budget film. There’s a dreamlike quality to it at times that matches Miklós’ inner world.

It’s not a perfect movie – some scenes felt a little drawn out, and the pacing dips here and there – but emotionally? It hits. Hard. If you’re into films that explore identity, sexuality, and the messiness of being human, Teenage Kicks is worth your time.