Girls State
An incisive and ultimately hopeful documentary observes Missouri teenagers building a miniature government while testing the possibilities and pressures of female political leadership.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- candid
- meditative
- questioning
- civic discussion
- political documentary night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the documentary as an inspiring, timely, and candid examination of young women's political ambition and the future of American democracy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The participants build a government, organize a Supreme Court, and debate contentious issues inside a week-long democratic laboratory.
The film follows adolescent girls as they pursue office, deliberate policy, and confront expectations about femininity and leadership.
The documentary follows participants through organizing, campaigning, debate, and judicial deliberation with a candid, questioning tone.
The girls' week-long immersion turns democratic participation into a formative experience of public ambition and self-definition.
Films like Girls State, and why
Boys State
political documentary focused on an immersive youth government experiment and American democracy
The War Room
observational political documentary examining democratic institutions, ideology, and civic participation
Minding the Gap
candid documentary portrait of young people navigating identity, ambition, and public performance
Movie Details
- Directors
- Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
- Release Date
- 2024-01-18
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (22)
Cast
- Faith Glasgow
- Cecilia Bartin
- Nisha Murali
- Brooke Taylor
- Emily Worthmore
- Maddie Rowan
- Tochi Ihekona
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Girls State about?
- An incisive and ultimately hopeful documentary observes Missouri teenagers building a miniature government while testing the possibilities and pressures of female political leadership.
- What is Girls State like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Girls State as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Girls State violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Girls State.
- What did critics think of Girls State?
- Critics broadly regard the documentary as an inspiring, timely, and candid examination of young women's political ambition and the future of American democracy.
- Which films are like Girls State?
- Films with a similar feel include Boys State, The War Room, and Minding the Gap.
- How long is Girls State?
- Girls State runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Girls State?
- In United States, Girls State streams on Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel.
