Parents' Guide to The Novice

This drama offers a terrifying but engrossing look at perfectionism gone awry. In many ways, The Novice is like Black Swan: Both films center on obsessed, perfectionistic characters who will do anything to achieve their dreams of making it to the top. But while Black Swan showed the reason Natalie Portman's Nina drove herself to destruction, The Novice doesn't give us a true reason for why Alex is so obsessed with being the best. Still, Fuhrman delivers a massively intense performance, not only through her physical transformation to convincingly portray an elite rowing athlete, but through her commitment to Alex's mental degradation.

Perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are often turned into cutesy internet memes, but these conditions can be debilitating and aren't just about keeping things organized or studying hard. Both are spurred by the same internal feelings of insignificance and insecurity. And while we don't know what external force has acted as fuel for Alex's deeply rooted insecurity, we do see how much she uses that insecurity to perpetuate self-harm and paranoia that others are out to get her. Alex's actions will likely be relatable to those who've experienced perfectionism and OCD at varying degrees, making the film a harrowingly realistic depiction of mental illness. Overall, The Novice is a powerful film for those who want to understand the sadness that surrounds the irrationality and harm associated with mental distress.