Navigating the summer between 8th grade and high school is, to say the least, a challenge. High school alone is an identity crisis, but being thrust into the world of high school is the makings of any coming-of-age film. Co-writer and director Catherine Argyrople makes her debut feature with Growing Pains, showcasing a love letter to the world of indie teenage exploration. Zoe (Molly Morneweck) and Nat (Deanna Tarraza) are two teens in New England, attempting that fateful step into high school, as Growing Pains chronicles their highs, their lows, and, most of all, their “growing pains.”
Zoe and Nat are entering baggage than most. In addition to trying to figure out who they are, navigating social circles, and dealing with drifting friendships, the two already face immense pressure from their past. Zoe is a childhood cancer survivor, living with the literal and mental scars of cancer. While Zoe attempts to cope with her body image, she seeks solace in trying out for rowing crew, entering a culture of classmates. Nat works endless shifts at her family’s restaurant and receives news that her Grandmother is in ill health; all while attempting to accept her own sexuality and yearning for a sense of freedom. The summer is far from easy for the two girls as they interweave family, stress, trauma, and mental health, all while trying to make it to Freshman year.
The outline of Growing Pains is ripe for a coming-of-age film. All the story structure and plot points are on brand for a cathartic teen story of self-discovery. All the themes and struggles featured throughout the film are very real and essential topics concerning teens across generations. Yet, Growing Pains rarely feels natural. Many characters lean into tropes and caricatures of teenagers rather than portraying complex individuals attempting to carry the weight of the world. The dialogue is often surface-level, and the few attempts at slang make the film feel dated rather than grounded in reality.
Subplots within Growing Pains have promise. Nat & Lexie’s (Maia Isabel Frias) relationship is sweet, and their concert experience is a highlight of the movie. Growing Pains captures all the right milestones for a gripping teen drama, but it often misses the euphoria of youth. The concert scene with Nat & Lexie showcases the ultimate highs of being young and finding love, and the film does well in bringing this subplot to an organic climax. Heavy themes of sexuality, body dysmorphia, and family acceptance are all handled with care throughout the film, but with little nuance. Often, these discussions are through on-the-nose dialogue or jarring tonal shifts.
A version of Growing Pains really works. The bones of the story are all there. They are familiar, yet it’s what brings audiences back to classic coming-of-age stories like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or Pretty in Pink. Or even what makes modern coming-of-age stories like Lady Bird or Booksmart so engaging with not just their audience but across generations. Still, in its current state, Growing Pains needs more cohesive character beats and more subtlety to build its story beyond the strong foundations. Everything in Growing Pains should feel relatable, but the way the characters grow rarely makes it so.
Catherine Argyrople, as a writer and director, shows promise. Growing Pains has many struggles, but it’s clear Argyrople and her cast, crew, and co-writer have a deep love for filmmaking. Argyrople has a raw style that could translate strangely to teen horror. All the heavy themes of teen drama, but with a final girl and a few campy kills, could elevate her skills and make her an indie director to follow. Growing Pains, as it stands, has a lot of love poured into it. However, the lack of characterization and forced dialogue make the film difficult to champion, regardless of how much indie films need a champion.
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