[Review] Spontaneous(2020) {7/10}

Written and Directed by Brian Duffield, in his directorial debut. It stars Katherine Langford (Mara Carlyle), Charlie Plummer (Dylan Hovemeyer), Hayley Law (Tess McNulty), and Yvonne Orji (Agent Carla Rosetti).

The plot follows an explosion epidemic at Covington High until Katelyn Ogden (Mellany Barros) spontaneously combusts during third period. Mara (Katherine Langford) and Dylan (Charlie Plummer) are soon literally hoping that they can survive high school. As an unexpected romance blossoms between them, they soon discover that when tomorrow is no longer promised, they can finally start living for today.

Spontaneous' concept is bonkers -- the senior class literally starts exploding and remarkably, the laughs come hard. But halfway through, the tears come harder, and the quirky storyline becomes painfully resonant. Writer/first-time director Brian Duffield (adapting his screenplay from Aaron Starmer's novel) masterfully balances the film's tone, weaving together a sweet blooming romance, sarcastic and expressive dialogue and moments of genuine terror and air-sucking despair. For parents and caregivers who struggle to understand the mental health challenges that many among Gen Z face, Spontaneous is a powerful metaphor. The film's tone flips after one devastating, heart-piercing scene which is so transportive that, for some, it could be too much. Even though Spontaneous doesn't directly indicate what the explosions are supposed to represent, it's a forceful empathizer. And as emotional as the film gets as we go off the deep end with Mara, it ends with a burst of robust hope that could be enough to buoy some teens through tough times.

Spontaneous is now available on Digital and Blu-ray.