“This Too Shall Cross” is a reputation higher suited to a snooty drama than a throwback teen comedy.
It’s your first clue that author/director Rob Grant has made one thing totally different than a “Porky’s”-style affair.
The ’80s teen comedy is remarkably restrained, specializing in a younger Mormon’s quest to delay one other summer season underneath his father’s thumb. It’s agreeable and candy, crammed with the form of angst positive to make audiences wince.
These adolescent recollections by no means fade, however Grant and co. recall them with coronary heart and humor. Regulate your expectations, and “This Too Shall Cross” turns into one of many yr’s most nice surprises.
Younger, conflicted Simon (Maxwell Jenkins) lives underneath the strict guidelines of his Mormon household of their Syracuse, N.Y. house. He’s child who simply pines to be unhealthy, if just for a spell.
So he impulsively follows a fairly lady to Ottawa the place she’ll be spending the summer season.
Simon brings his loyal troupe of pals for a visit that begins off on the improper foot and solely will get worse.
- Barfights
- Scary motels
- Rejection on steroids
- Misunderstandings
- Robberies
You title it, and it goes south for the lads … till they meet some Canadian ladies inquisitive about their southern neighbors.
It’s all captured from the again seat of a cop automobile. A bloodied Simon narrates the story with a splash of fourth wall demolition.
A tip of the cap to Ferris Bueller? You wager.
“This Too Shall Cross” makes frequent references to ’80s comedies, a working gag that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Nor does the movie go overboard with Reagan-era kitsch, though we get some groovy, decade-appropriate needle drops.
Screened “This Too Shall Cross” tonight.
The story of a Nineteen Eighties Mormon teenaged boy who resists his way of life & strikes out one night time together with his pals. 80s music, John Hughes references – wow.
As my child stated: “Jeez Dad, whoever gave you this had clairvoyance.”
Look ahead to my evaluate. pic.twitter.com/VB1aI6HEjM— ‘CAPTAIN’ J. KIRK (@capjkkirk) October 18, 2025
One huge attainable error? The movie is about within the late Nineteen Eighties, however 1989’s “Say Something” performs a outstanding position within the plot. We’ll assume the story’s exact time interval is submit April 14, 1989 – that movie’s theatrical launch date.
Jenkins performs Simon together with his beating coronary heart on his sleeve. He’s aching to be like each different child, however every time he tries he appears like a duckling taking its first, tentative steps. The actor’s emotionally bare flip is balanced by his on-screen pals.
That features Tim (Ben Cockell), who sports activities Robert Smith’s eye mascara and a dour disposition. James (Jaylin Webb) is the group’s happy-go-lucky sort, and his black pores and skin permits the screenplay to the touch on race with out overdoing it.
Grant’s screenplay flirts with the social points many ’80s period movies ducked, but it surely does so in a method that doesn’t kills the story’s candy momentum. No lectures? Phew.
Even higher is a attainable love connection between Simon and a streetwise Misty (Katie Douglas, “Clown in a Cornfield”).
Grant’s story appears predictable on the floor, however each time we get snug, the narrative hits a pace bump. It’s sufficient to maintain audiences on their toes and remind us that teen intercourse comedies can take any route they please.
Some, like “This Too Shall Cross,” are all the higher for these inventive detours.
HiT or Miss: “This Too Shall Cross” isn’t your Daddy’s teen intercourse comedy. It’s a contemporary tackle a style that wanted a facelift.