Watch My Summer as a Goth

My Summer as a Goth is a coming-of-age indie film from 2018, starring Rachelle Henry, Neil Green, and Mike Vaughn. The movie follows the journey of 16-year-old Joey (Rachelle Henry) as she navigates summer vacation with her dad, Lonnie (Neil Green), and his new girlfriend, Cindy (Lily Martyn). When Joey's mom passed away, she turned to the world of goth culture and music as a way to cope. As a result, she dresses in all-black attire with dark makeup and piercings, which stands in contrast to the summery environment of California.

Upon arriving at the beach house, Joey quickly realizes that she is now in the minority, and her 'gothness' isn't as well-received as she expected it to be. Her dad's girlfriend, Cindy, tries to bond with Joey, but Joey appears distant to her. Joey is then introduced to the mysterious and aloof punk-rocker, Victor (Jack Levis), who seems to be the only person who understands and appreciates her love for goth music and culture. They bond over music, and Victor brings Joey to an underground punk club where they dance, and Joey meets new friends who share her passion for goth culture.

As the summer progresses, Joey finds herself torn between two worlds- her love for goth culture and music and becoming a part of the more mainstream world around her. Her dad, Lonnie, tries to bond with her by teaching her how to surf, while Cindy actively tries to bring Joey out of her shell and open up to her. Nonetheless, Joey becomes more and more conflicted, and her mental and emotional state becomes more unstable. Victor's influence on Joey starts to spiral, doing reckless things that put her in danger when she agrees to go to a punk concert with some of his new friends.

Throughout the movie, Joey grapples with her identity and struggles with the question, "Who am I?" She wants to form a relationship with her dad and his girlfriend, but at the same time, her love for goth culture distances her from them. She finds relief and happiness in the underground punk scene, but it comes with a price. As she becomes more entrenched in the world of punk and goth, she finds it harder to reconcile with more conventional teenage life.

The film's pacing is slow and thoughtful, with beautiful cinematography that captures the essence of the coastal towns of California. The soundtrack, of course, reflects the era and genre of the punk and goth sounds. The movie's portrayal of the goth and subculture isn't stereotypical, and the characters are not overpowering. The actors do a fantastic job portraying the emotions and complexities of their respective characters, especially Rachelle Henry, who tunes into Joey's angst effortlessly.

My Summer as a Goth touches on multiple topics about identity-driven behavior, and the film does an excellent job of portraying the complexity of teenage life. The movie touches upon issues ranging from family dynamics, grief, self-identity, and relationships. It's a movie that resonates with teenagers, goths, and non-goths alike, as they can all identify with the issues touched upon in the film.

In summary, My Summer as a Goth is a beautifully crafted film that provides an introspective look at teenage angst and identity. The movie touches upon various issues in a meaningful and thoughtful way, with standout performances from the cast. It's a film that addresses teen culture's complexity, touching on issues that resonate with viewers of all ages, making it a must-see for any movie lover.

My Summer as a Goth is a 2019 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.