Eighth Grade is an insightful look into the mind of a 13-year-old that has universal appeal

WRITER and director Bo Burnham has come up trumps in this comedy-drama which gives an incredible insight into the minds of eighth graders – 13-year-olds to us Brits.

Kayla is an average American girl who, like most 13-year-olds, is socially awkward, but has a level of self-awareness I wish I’d had at that age.

Elsie Fisher stars as 13-year-old Kayla in Eighth Grade, directed by Bo Burnham

We follow her as she prepares to step up to high school and see how her relationship develops with her single father (excellently played by Josh Hamilton) and the friendships she feels she is supposed to be forging.

The film’s universal appeal is incredible.

Burnham has an amazing ability to pinpoint stomach-churning moments we all went through where we realised we were out of our depth yet totally helpless.

The whole shebang is totally relevant to millennials, baby boomers and everyone in between.

This is a horrifyingly accurate look into what kids get up to nowadays – and the helplessness Kayla’s dad feels as he tries to be a parent and a friend we all experience.

But Burnham’s vision would have been nothing without a mesmerising performance from his lead Elsie Fisher.

I’d love to know how much of this was improvised, as she is incredible. Unmissable piece of art.