Raw and heartfelt, director Jacy Mairs’s “Trash Baby” is a coming-of-age drama that hits hard with its unflinching realism and honest portrayal of growing up too fast. This is a film that takes its time, but will stick with you for a long while.
Set during the scorching summer of 2003 in Pine Park, the film follows 12-year-old Stevie (Esther Harrison), a preteen who becomes fascinated by her 20-year-old neighbor, Edie (Chloe Kramer). Edie is everything Stevie thinks adulthood should be: cool, independent, and fearless. But as their friendship deepens, Stevie realizes that Edie’s world isn’t as glamorous as she imagined. Instead, it’s full of struggle, heartbreak, and tough realities that make Stevie question whether she’s really ready to leave childhood behind.
This movie perfectly captures that feeling of wanting to grow up too soon, only to realize that being an adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Mairs perfectly and accurately captures the feeling of that time in a young girl’s life. Stevie’s journey feels real and relatable, while Edie’s story serves as a stark reminder that growing up too fast often comes with painful consequences. The film doesn’t shy away from tough subjects, but it handles them with authenticity and heart.
Highly emotional and deeply human, “Trash Baby” gives a voice to communities that are often overlooked and dismissed by society. This is a story that highlights the beauty, resilience, and struggles of growing up in a world that doesn’t always offer an easy way out.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 