Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Genre-bending coming-of-age story has strong language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Make Up
What's the Story?
In MAKE UP, 18-year-old Ruth (Molly Windsor) arrives at a holiday park in southern England to spend the summer with her boyfriend, Tom (Joseph Quinn). But, it turns out day-to-day life is less exciting than anticipated and the time she's able to spend with Tom is monotonous and tense. Increasingly Ruth is drawn to fellow employee Jade (Stefanie Martini), whose vibrant spirit and lust for life leads her to experiment with wigs and make up, and explore her identity. As the two spend more time together, Ruth realizes her feelings run deeper than friendship and she struggles to understand and accept her same-sex attraction.
Is It Any Good?
This impressive debut feature from director Claire Oakley manages to straddle multiple genres. Make Up first presents as an eerie thriller, but gradually becomes a drama about self-discovery and freedom that's handled with an intimate and creative touch. Filmed mostly in muted tones, with frequent moments of stillness and quiet, feelings of isolation and claustrophobia mix with ominous visions and noises to create a heightened state of tension just waiting to be cut.
Windsor makes for a captivating lead, keeping her cards close to her chest as she navigates the confusing terrain of questioning her sexuality. Subdued pinks and oranges evolve into deep reds in dreamlike flashes that prove a stark contrast to the dreary surrounding environment. This creates an intriguing visual style that will pull more patient viewers into a movie that's somehow both bold and delicate in equal measure—and a promising debut from a fresh new British filmmaker.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Make Up portrays sex. Is it affectionate? Respectful? Caregivers can talk to teens about their own values regarding sex and relationships. Where else do teens get information about sex? Is it always responsible and reliable?
Discuss the relationship between Ruth and Jade. How does the movie handle the subject of sexuality? Does it do it well? Why, or why not?
How are teen drinking and smoking portrayed in the movie? Is substance use glamorized? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
How does Ruth show curiosity during the film? How does it help her on her journey? Why is it an important character strength?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 13, 2020
- Cast : Molly Windsor , Joseph Quinn , Stefanie Martini
- Director : Claire Oakley
- Studio : Mutiny Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 1, 2026
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