Yes, God, Yes

A great coming of age story. Natalia is a perfect fit for the role.

Being homeschooled and a christian growing up in a very humble lifestyle and household, I appreciate the message they were trying to get across in this movie. You grow up with so many restrictions and when you're out of that fearful environment it truly is a wake up call. Knowing that people have been doing what you have been forbidden to do for years and they are alright. I like seeing movies like this where I can relate somewhat to the plot. It wasn't really amazing or the best movie I've seen but it was a good message I think. I have absolutely no idea why it was rated R since it was pretty tame for what else comes out these days but maybe I'm wrong? Anyway I loved Natalia Dryer, even though she's well in her twenties, she can still pull off a teenager pretty well.

If you watched The Miseducation of Cameron Post, this film is almost identical, only much more about hypocrisy and no lesbianism. The Kirkos christian retreat depicted in the film actually exists, only it's called Kairos, and the story in the movie seems to be rooted at least partially in an actual experience. I was really expecting this to have been a book adaptation, just like Cameron Post, but it wasn't.

Now the film is pretty good. I don't think they could have found a better lead than Natalia Dyer, of Stranger Things fame, as she seems to be the kind of girl that got forward in life by furrowing her brows and looking innocent. I mean, there is a scene when she claims to be 21 to get a drink in a bar and no one believes her, which I found hilarious as she's 24 in the film. Basically the whole premise of the movie is that most people are hypocritical, expecting from others what they themselves don't do. It's a whole film of people being phony, spreading lies, using terms they don't understand and then the actual "climax" is not the last scene, which was kind of pointless really, it was the bar scene, where the bar owner and the Christian schoolgirl exchange ridiculous Catholic reasons why they thought they're going to hell.

Bottom line: a film that is direct in depiction, but subtle in character emotions and development. Perfect casting choice for the lead and most acting was very good. Overall, a better than average film. I liked it better than The Miseducation of Cameron Post, to which it resembles way too much.

Everyone is hiding something. No matter what it is, is that a good or bad thing to hide. Its just between you and God. Mind your own business. But as a humanity, we should share, engage with people. It's okay to hide it, but trying to be honest is better. Alice's speech at the camp was representing this movie in short. Loved the message! Such a simple and beautiful coming-of-age story.

Unfortunately, I didn't quite catch with the plot. I just feel like there is a lot of unnecessary scene here. Some of the scene make me wonder, what's the purpose of that thing. And there's no further explanation after some event. Why everyone did not asking her where did she go after she came back from the bar, how can she easily escape from the father's office without getting caught after she put Wade's waistband and caught father watching some sex scene. Sometimes it's fine to haven't to be full explained. But it's really bother me. This movie trying to be realistic and natural but for me its doesn't executed quite well.

The performance was decent, Natalia Dyer did a good job as an innocent girl. I am a fan of her btw haha (main reason why I watched this, lol). Also, no complaints about visual and sound design. Everything was good.

This film really feels like one of those festival hits that plays best in the festival setting. It addresses some interesting things around religion and sex, and the main character is likeable. It's a bit slow at times though. Worth a watch, but it's going to appeal most to fans of indie and arthouse films or perhaps someone who has left the Catholic faith and deeply relates to the topic.