Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl friendship, mild sex references in coming-of-age drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Over/Under
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In OVER/UNDER. Violet (Emajean Bullock) and Stella (Anastasia Veronica Lee) are best friends who live in different cities. Every summer they come together in a New England beach town and spend their days playing in the waves, having sleepovers, and making wishes on the small white moths they catch in a jar. It's an idyllic setting aged 9, but as they hit adolescence—their bodies developing at different rates, along with their interest in clothes and boys—their friendship is tested over the next few summers as they enter their teenage years.
Is It Any Good?
From the heady, innocent freedom of childhood to the murky confusion of adolescence, this warm coming-of-age story really captures the fleeting feeling of youth. Director Sophia Silver and her co-writer Sianni Rosenstock pull from their own friendship in Over/Under, saturating the movie in a haze of memory and the glow of loving connection. The two lead actors, Bullock and Lee, give impressively natural performances as best friends coming to terms with various changes and worrying whether their friendship will survive the ride. The moments of them playing in the ocean, counting backwards together in bed to help each other sleep, and hoping the "fairy messengers" will grant the wishes they make on their jars of "morning moths" are almost dreamlike in their idyllic nature. The scenes of teaching each other how to kiss boys and insert tampons may feel more of a jolt back to reality, but they're just as sweet and intimate at heart. The structure can feel a little all over the place and the young actors aren't all as strong across the board, but this is an impressive debut from Silver that will appeal to younger viewers and nostalgic adults alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of friendship in Over/Under. How is Violet and Stella's friendship portrayed? How and why does it change during the film? What messages do you think the movie has about the importance of friendship?
What pressures do both girls face as they grow up? What do they each do to try and fit in? What do they learn from their experiences?
How do the characters show empathy, communication, and curiosity? Why are these important characters strengths? How do they help Violet and Stella through changes and difficult times?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 25, 2026
- Cast : Emajean Bullock , Anastasia Veronica Lee , Adam David Thompson
- Director : Sophia Silver
- Studio : Bulldog Film Distribution
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Elementary School , Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Empathy
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : August 20, 2026
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