![]() With a subtle cadence and consistently thick southern accent, Scanlen effortlessly sheds the innocence, naivety, and ignorance we all exhibited at 17. She confidently encapsulates the sensitivities and raging emotions of freedom teens desire. The realism of the setting’s portrayal is elevated by the acting, primarily by lead Eliza Scanlen. It’s easy to sympathize with Jem, subjected to cultish traditions like courting, so when her innocence and naivety are taken advantage of-whether by her community or Owen-it’s objectively identifiable. As Jem navigates through this tumultuous affair with Owen, Parmet examines the psychological effect that religious guilt has on teens, especially in a rural setting. The stakes are immediately set in stone due to the minuscule size of the community. Any non-religious viewer will point out how God is a scapegoat, but it accurately represents the environment. Judgment is a characteristic of Christian institutions where members criticize Jem for something as simple as wearing a white dress they can see through, projecting those insecurities by throwing God into the mix. She follows the checklist of faux personalities, ranging from the unspoken hierarchy of roles within the community (Owen being the pastor’s son, making him Prince Nepo Baby), the gossipy culture between church members, and the anxiety of being ostracized for contradicting the church. Through Starling’s screenplay, Laurel Parmet delivers resounding authenticity in her portrayal of the condescending atmosphere within Christian communities. As Jem struggles to find her individuality, she forms a deep connection with Owen, resulting in a scandalous affair. ![]() ![]() Her religious faith wavers when a boy who’s never spoken to her is made to court her, and her elder married youth pastor Owen returns from a missionary trip. Jem’s world is dictated by her secular church, but she finds freedom performing with her dance troupe. She also has an overbearing mother (Wrenn Schmidt) and a reformed alcoholic father (Jimmi Simpson). 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen) is a squeaky-clean Kentuckian fundamentalist Christian girl that sets an example for her younger sisters.
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