Spike Jonze's directorial debut is a masterclass on grief and compartmentalization. I wasn't even that bad of a kid but I relate to Max's feelings of abandonment and rage in such an important time in one's childhood. Also Mark Ruffalo jumpscare pretty early on
I watched this movie today and LOVED IT. The first 10 minutes are pure madness and unintentional comedy. The whole movie is goofy and has this perfect lighthearted tone. Peak 2000s horror camp. Watch with friends for a great 2 hours.
I first saw this movie soon after my dad died when I was 15. The character of Max, even with all of his unlikeable traits and lies, really hit me in the heart. I was totally in love with the idea of having a counterpoint that was also coping with the grief of losing a parent by becoming extremely eccentric and busy. I was like, damn, we would trauma bond so hard then write a play together - why arenβt the boys at my school like him!?
