Fitting In movie storyline. A coming-of-age “traumedy” that follows 16-year-old Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) who is unexpectedly diagnosed with a reproductive condition, MRKH syndrome. The diagnosis upends her plans to have sex, her presumptions about womanhood and sexuality, her relationship with her mother (Emily Hampshire), and most importantly, herself.
Fitting In is a 2024 Canadian coming-of-age comedy drama film written and directed by Molly McGlynn. It stars Maddie Ziegler, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Djouliet Amara, and Emily Hampshire. The film was titled Bloody Hell in its first showing at SXSW. Several additional film festival showings were presented in 2023. The film won the award for Best Canadian Film at the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival. It was released in theatres in February 2024.
The film premiered on March 13, 2023, under the title Bloody Hell, in the narrative spotlight section of the South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Retitled Fitting In, the film was shown at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2023 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival in Ontario, Canada, in September 2023, and at the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival[12] and the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival, both beginning that month.
Blue Fox Entertainment distributed the film in the US, with the theatrical release on February 2, 2024. Elevation Pictures distributed the film in Canada, with a release in theatres there also on February 2, 2024.
Film Review for Fitting In
The double meaning of “Fitting In” (Blue Fox), the title of writer/director Molly McGlynn’s second feature film, is a good place to begin this review. Because the main character Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) is a 16-year-old high school, the concept of fitting into the complex and often challenging social situations in which 21st century (or any century, for that matter) teenagers find themselves, the title has that covered with no problem.
The additional meaning of the title may, for most viewers, be a new subject, one which might have more than a few people squirming in their seats. Lindy is concerned that she hasn’t begun to menstruate. Lindy’s mother Rita (Emily Hampshire), a therapist in need of therapy herself, isn’t really much help to her. Lindy is even reluctant to tell her boy-crazy BFF Vivian (Djouliet Amara) that she hasn’t gotten her period yet. When she finally sees a doctor the experience is a negative one that frightens her.
Eventually, she makes an appointment with another doctor at a teaching hospital where she is told that a “majority of her vaginal canal is absent.” She undergoes more tests, including a CT scan during which the song “Barbie Girl” (!), plays in her headphones. With Rita by her side, Lindy gets her diagnosis. She has a congenital disorder known as MRKH Syndrome. She has ovaries, but nothing else; no uterus, cervix, or vaginal canal, and just one inch of depth.
This is where the other meaning of the title comes in. Another doctor provides Lindy with a box of various-sized dilaters so that she may begin a regimen of “vaginal boot camp,” attempting to expand her vaginal canal. If all of this sounds a little technical, “Fitting In” does have educational and informative components.
However, the movie is considered a “traumedy,” so it has the elements you might expect. Aside from the usual single mother/daughter interactions, which elicit laughs and tears in equal measure, issues of friendship and romance are explored. Lindy has a crush on hot classmate Adam (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), he of the cheekbones that could cut glass, who shares her feelings. She also enlists fast food worker and virgin Chad (Dale Whibley) in her quest to deal with her condition.
As it turns out, the most significant relationship in Lindy’s life is with non-binary classmate Jax (Ki Griffin), whom she sees as a kind of kindred spirit. As with her other relationships, Lindy often says and does things that could jeopardize her budding friendship with Jax, the one person who has the potential to help Lindy navigate her situation.
Ziegler’s portrayal of Lindy is the main reason to see this movie. She approaches the character with a sense of purpose and commitment, giving Lindy an authenticity that keeps “Fitting In” on track.
Fitting In (2024)
Directed by: Molly McGlynn
Starring: Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara, Ki Griffin, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Dale Whibley, Michael Therriault, Christian Rose, Dennis Andres, Melody A. Johnson, Emma Hunter
Screenplay by: Molly McGlynn
Production Design by: Thea Hollatz
Cinematography by: Nina Djacic
Film Editing by: Maureen Grant
Costume Design by: Jeannette Linton
Art Direction by: Marcin Zach
Music by: Casey Manierka-Quaile
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, language throughout, drug use and drinking – all involving teens.
Distributed by: Blue Fox Entertainment, Elevation Pictures
Release Date: March 13, 2023 (SXSW), February 2, 2024 (United States)
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