“Booksmart” image owned by Annapurna Pictures

“Booksmart” is a 2019 coming-of-age comedy directed by Olivia Wilde in her debut. It follows two academic overachievers, Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever), who decide to cram four years of missed high school fun into one night after discovering that their carefree, party-loving classmates also got into top colleges.

Genres: Comedy, Coming-of-Age, Buddy Comedy, Teen Comedy

Click the ratings above to learn more about the movie on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Letterboxd.

4/5 Worth It

4/5 Worth It

“Booksmart” appeals to young adults and teenagers navigating the high school-to-college transition, fans of coming-of-age comedies like “Superbad” and “Lady Bird,” LGBTQ+ audiences who appreciate positive representation, those interested in female-centric stories, and comedy enthusiasts who enjoy smart, witty humor and well-crafted comedic situations.

“Booksmart” (2019) is a delightful entry in the teen comedy genre, blending elements of coming-of-age with buddy comedy in a refreshing way. Is “Booksmart” worth the watch? For the average movie viewer and fans of the genre alike, it’s definitely worth watching. The story, though simple, is believable and executed well, with a perfect beginning that effortlessly introduces its themes and characters and the ending leaves you satisfied. The acting is stellar, with each character contributing uniquely to the narrative’s charm. The film excels in humor, dialogue, and emotional depth, making it highly rewatchable. Overall, “Booksmart” stands out among its peers for its genuine portrayal of friendship and self-discovery, making it worth watching for comedy enthusiasts and fans of similar films like “Easy A” and “Superbad.”

• Director: Olivia Wilde (also known for “Don’t Worry Darling”)
• Writers: Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins (also known for “Celeste & Jesse Forever” and “Get Him to the Greek”), Susanna Fogel (also known for “The Spy Who Dumped Me”), Katie Silberman (also known for “Don’t Worry Darling” and “Set It Up”)
• Main Actors: Kaitlyn Dever (as Amy) (also known for “Unbelievable” and “Short Term 12”), Beanie Feldstein (as Molly) (also known for “Lady Bird” and “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”), Jessica Williams (as Ms. Fine), Jason Sudeikis (as Principal Brown), Lisa Kudrow (as Charmaine), Will Forte (as Doug), Victoria Ruesga (as Ryan), Mason Gooding (as Nick), Skyler Gisondo (as Jared), Diana Silvers (as Hope), Molly Gordon (as Triple A), Billie Lourd (as Gigi), Eduardo Franco (as Theo), Nico Hiraga (as Tanner), Austin Crute (as Alan), Noah Galvin (as George) 
• Music Director: Dan The Automator
• Cinematography/Director of Photography: Jason McCormick (also known for “Dahmer”)
• Editor: Jamie Gross  (also known for “Game Night,” “MacGruber,” “Vacation,” and “Hot Tub Time Machine 2”), Brent White (also known for “The Other Guys,” “The Heat,” “A Simple Favor,” and “Spy”)
• Casting: Allison Jones (also known for “Barbie,” “Lady Bird,” “Deep Impact,” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”)
• Production Design: Katie Byron (also known for “Don’t Worry Darling,” “The Curse,” “Zola,” and “Problemista”)
• Art Direction: Erika Toth (also known for “The One I Love,” “Don’t Worry Darling,” and “Blockers”)
• Set Decorator: Rachael Ferrara (also known for “Don’t Worry Darling,” “The Final Girls,” and “Like Crazy”)
• Costume Design: April Napier (also known for “The Cell,” “Lady Bird,” and “May December”)

Edge of Seventeen, Mean Girls, Easy A, Blockers, Pitch Perfect, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Ladybird, The Duff, The Kings of Summer, Project X, Superbad.