The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Film · Drama
Stream itif you appreciate a sincere, melancholy exploration of friendship and the lingering weight of adolescence.
A deeply resonant coming-of-age drama that balances the pain of past trauma with the pure joy of finding one's tribe. It is an emotionally charged but ultimately uplifting experience for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider looking in.
What it is about
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1991. High school freshman Charlie is a wallflower, always watching life from the sidelines, until two senior students, Sam and her stepbrother Patrick, become his mentors, helping him discover the joys of friendship, music and love.
Trailer
What The Perks of Being a Wallflower is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like leafing through a cherished, slightly weathered diary. The pace is steady and introspective, capturing the specific rhythm of a school year defined by new experiences. It oscillates between the quiet intimacy of a bedroom conversation and the euphoric, kinetic energy of driving through a tunnel at night. While the tone is often gentle, there is an underlying current of vulnerability and high-stakes emotion that makes the small victories of its characters feel monumental.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those who enjoy character-driven dramas that take teenage emotions seriously. It will resonate with anyone who has ever felt peripheral to their own life or found solace in a specific mixtape. However, those seeking a lighthearted, gag-filled high school comedy should look elsewhere. One honest caveat is that the narrative deals with heavy themes of mental health and past trauma, which can make for a heavy and occasionally harrowing watch despite the tender moments.
The right evening for it
It is the perfect choice for a quiet, reflective evening when you are in the mood to feel deeply. It pairs well with a rainy night and a nostalgic mindset.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Trailer
How The Perks of Being a Wallflower leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
You will likely feel a tender ache of nostalgia. It leaves a lingering sense of quiet resilience and the bittersweet realization of how much our first real friendships define us.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Lady Bird (2017)
film · Authentic · IMDb 7.4
A sharp, funny, and deeply honest portrait of the friction between a mother and daughter that feels lived-in rather than scripted. It is a modern masterpiece of the coming-of-age genre that finds profound beauty in the mundane details of growing up.
the same poignant blend of adolescent growing pains and authentic dialogue
Dead Poets Society (1989)
the focus on finding one's voice through mentorship and literature
The Spectacular Now (2013)
a similarly grounded and unsentimental look at young adulthood
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More clips
Teaser · The Perks of Love -- Perks of Being a Wallflower 2012
Teaser · THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER - TV Spot "Master Review"
Teaser · THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER - TV Spot "Review"
The Perks of Being a Wallflower soundtrack
Music by Michael Brook
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Various Artists · 2012 · 11 tracks
Listen on Apple Music- 1Come On Eileen · Dexys Midnight Runners
- 2Tugboat · Galaxie 500
- 3Temptation · New Order
- 4Evensong · The Innocence Mission
- 5Asleep · The Smiths
- 6Low · Cracker
- 7Teenage Riot · Sonic Youth
- 8Dear God · XTC
- 9Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops · Cocteau Twins
- 10Charlie's Last Letter · Michael Brook
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Awards
Awards and nominationsShow
- Won: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is The Perks of Being a Wallflower a feel-good film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Feel-Good, with a tearjerker streak. A deeply resonant coming-of-age drama that balances the pain of past trauma with the pure joy of finding one's tribe. It is an emotionally charged but ultimately uplifting experience for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider looking in.
- How long is The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower runs 103 min and was released in 2012.
- Where can I watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower in the UK?
- In the UK, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is included with Netflix (all plans), Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, YouTube Free (free).
- Who composed the music for The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
- The music for The Perks of Being a Wallflower is by Michael Brook. The soundtrack album, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), has 11 tracks.
- What songs are on the The Perks of Being a Wallflower soundtrack?
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) has 11 tracks, including “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, “Tugboat” by Galaxie 500, “Temptation” by New Order, “Evensong” by The Innocence Mission and “Asleep” by The Smiths, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is The Perks of Being a Wallflower worth watching?
- Stream it: if you appreciate a sincere, melancholy exploration of friendship and the lingering weight of adolescence. IMDb users rate it 7.9 out of 10 from 594,589 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 85%, Metacritic 67 and TMDB users 7.8.
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