Writer and director Rob Grant (Harpoon, Alive) takes a break from the horror genre to bring a lighthearted, coming-of-age tale, This Too Shall Pass. Taking inspiration from popular John Hughes movies, this 80s set film follows Simon, a sheltered teenage boy trying to figure out who he is. In a moment of rebellion, Simon convinces his friends to take an impromptu trip to Canada to win over a girl, leading to disaster, heartbreak, and so much more.

This Too Shall Pass introduces Simon, a 16 years old who lives with his Mormon family in Syracuse, NY. It’s the late 80s, and this teen is desperate to escape from under his family’s rule so he can be a normal teen. When he gets his first real crush on a girl who seems to reciprocate his feelings, Simon decides to take a big risk and run away from home, convincing his friends to take a weekend trip to Canada, where the girl is visiting family. In typical teen comedy fashion, nothing goes according to plan. This is primarily Simon’s coming of age story, but each of his friends undergoes their own transformation or realization at some point during the film.

From the moment This Too Shall Pass begins, audiences will be struck by the nostalgia. From the poster to the setup, this is a film made by someone raised by John Hughes. Yet, unlike many 80s inspired films and shows these days, Grant doesn’t seem to idolize this era of entertainment. It certainly acknowledges and honors the good of 80s teen comedies, but it also pokes fun at the issues with many films from that era. The script pokes fun a bit, making jokes about narration in Hughes films, the lack of diversity in 80s teen comedies, how many protagonists during that time got away with a lot and learned nothing, and more. This gives the film a satirical edge, even as it tells a very sweet, compelling story. This Too Shall Pass also gives audiences a more diverse group of characters than the films that inspired it, fixing one of the biggest problems with 80s teen movies. With the satirical edge to the comedy, pointing out the flaws with many movie lovers’ favorite nostalgic films, and well-developed characters who all experience some kind of personal growth, This Too Shall Pass is a film Millennial and Gen-X parents can enjoy with their Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha children.

Each member of the This Too Shall Pass cast delivers charm, laughs, and heart. Maxwell Jenkins (Arcadian, Lost in Space) stars as Simon. Jenkins makes Simon a sweet, misguided character that you can’t help but love, even when he’s making the worst, most selfish decisions. He brings a naiveté to the character that makes it easier to excuse many of his misguided actions, especially because it allows for important personal growth. Ben Cockell (Goosebumps, Superman & Lois) plays Simon’s best friend, Tim. Tim is a character that is very calm and collected, bordering on cold, throughout most of the film. Yet Cockell portrays the character in a way that gradually reveals why this character tends to keep people, even his friends, at arms length. The cast of young actors is too large to dive into each individual, but the film also includes wonderful performances from Jaylin Webb (The Wonder Years), Jeremy Ray Taylor (IT), Aidan Laprete (The Wilds), and Katie Douglas (Clown in a Cornfield).

One of the most interesting elements of the visuals in This Too Shall Pass is the lighting. For the most part, the film has a very understated, grounded appearance. Yet there are scenes that are significant, for various reasons, in which the filmmakers utilize vibrant lighting. It highlights these important moments, while also making them striking to look at. Many of these scenes also have a moment of slow-motion, allowing the audience to sit for an extra beat with the emotional weight. To help create the illusion of the 80s, This Too Shall Pass has a killer soundtrack filled with songs that will easily transport audiences to the past. When it comes to the wardrobe, the clothing for the women is certainly very 80s. As for the core group of young men, the wardrobe is a bit more simplistic and generic, with only one character’s wardrobe really appearing solidly from this era. Average fashion for men hasn’t changed all that much over the years, so this is fairly easy to overlook while watching the film.

This Too Shall Pass is a wonderful update to the classic 80s, coming-of-age adventure with plenty of heart and important life lessons. Grant clearly has a love for this era and type of film, but he gave his story a much needed update to appeal to modern audiences. The entire ensemble cast is wonderful, with Jenkins perfectly embodying the innocent, boy next door turned rebel. It’s a fun, sweet throwback film with a little something for everyone. If you’re looking for a charming, uplifting watch for the entire family, then be sure to seek out This Too Shall Pass, available to rent or buy on VOD.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10