Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- provocative
- intimate
- uncomfortable
- indie film night
- coming of age double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film ambitious and provocative in its treatment of adolescent sexuality and friendship, but uneven in execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Wendy ultimately chooses being alone rather than submitting to either the six-person relationship or Sean's demand for normalcy.
Billie's attachment to Wendy drives tests, threats, public humiliation, and an eventual invitation back into the group.
The six friends' shared sexual structure and loyalty code are destabilized when Wendy begins dating Sean.
The boxes of mementos document the friends' sexual history and are used to expose Wendy's past to Sean.
Films like Normal Adolescent Behavior, and why
Thirteen
teen sexuality, intense friendship, and emotionally volatile suburban coming-of-age drama
Welcome to the Dollhouse
alternative-school youth culture, sexual experimentation, and confrontational adolescent relationships
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love
complicated teenage intimacy, outsider identity, and emotionally raw romance
Kids
suburban teen alienation, friendship breakdown, and frank treatment of sexuality
Movie Details
- Director
- Beth Schacter
- Release Date
- 2007-04-27
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 4.5 / 10 (37)
Cast
- Amber Tamblyn
- Ashton Holmes
- Kelli Garner
- Daryl Sabara
- Laila Liliana Garro
- Kelly Lynch
- Raviv Ullman
- Stephen Colletti
- Hilarie Burton Morgan
- Edward Tournier
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Normal Adolescent Behavior about?
- An unconventional suburban teen drama about a girl choosing independence after love and friendship both demand that she conform.
- What is Normal Adolescent Behavior like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Normal Adolescent Behavior as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Normal Adolescent Behavior violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Normal Adolescent Behavior as mild.
- What did critics think of Normal Adolescent Behavior?
- Critics broadly found the film ambitious and provocative in its treatment of adolescent sexuality and friendship, but uneven in execution.
- Which films are like Normal Adolescent Behavior?
- Films with a similar feel include Thirteen, Welcome to the Dollhouse, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, and Kids.
- How long is Normal Adolescent Behavior?
- Normal Adolescent Behavior runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Normal Adolescent Behavior?
- In United States, Normal Adolescent Behavior is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
