Magnetosphere

I was fortunate to see this film a couple months ago at a festival in New York City, and I am so glad it is now available on VOD. I definitely recommend checking it out on your favorite streaming platform! This is a charming family friendly film with a zany sense of humor, a winning message, and a strong ensemble cast.

You have to be ready, in watching this one, to suspend disbelief and accept the world of the movie for what it is. On the one hand, you have a story about a young girl growing up, experiencing her first love, realizing her neurodiversity and coming to terms with loving herself. On the other hand, you have the zanier stories of the weird, often nutty and larger-than-life adults around her. It's a story where these worlds coexist as one. If anything, you get the feeling that one could not exist without the other.

Newcomers Shayelin Martin and Mikayla Kong are stars. Zooey Schneider as the little sister has some of the best lines in the movie. Tania Webb as the mom is an understated revelation, and Patrick McKenna as the goofy dad could not be more expressive. Colin Mochrie is a riot as sort-of-exterminator Gil, Tara Strong embodies the voice of not-quite-evil doll Captain Cassiopeia, and Debra McGrath as a kindhearted art teacher takes what could have been a one note role and fills it with depth and humor. Steven He radiates kindness as the boy too old for Maggie to fall in love with, and Jordyn Gillis is every middle school mean girl you've ever met.

Watch, accept the silliness and the seriousness as part of the same soup, and enjoy.

Through the well-executed film, Magnetosphere, I relived that most awkward period of life: adolescence. No longer a child, yet not an adult, with hormones running loose ... add to that a significant move to another town, a goofy father, classic class bullies, and a developing negative inner dialogue (in this case, in the form of a doll). Now, add to all of that experiencing life in a way that you know is different to other people, trying to hide it, wanting to express it, just wanting to be just like everyone else. And it is impossible to be just like everyone else. And add again to that first crush, first awkward moment with a friend ... and all of it carried off so well, so elegantly by protagonist Maggie. Even when she is grumpy she is delightful. There were several true laugh out loud moments, and many simply delightful moments, and a handful of cringeworthy memories were evoked. Magnetosphere is a safe place to relive that awkward adolescent time and to return whole.

Magnetosphere is a heartwarming and refreshingly original coming-of-age film that shines with emotional depth and vibrant imagination. Set in the late '90s, it follows 13-year-old Maggie Campion (a standout performance by Shayelin Martin), who discovers she has synesthesia-a rare neurological condition that lets her experience the world in vivid, multisensory ways.

Writer-director Nicola Rose blends comedy, nostalgia, and heartfelt drama into a rich story about self-acceptance, family, and the courage to stand out. The film captures the awkward beauty of adolescence with humor and heart, while also offering a thoughtful look at neurodiversity.

The supporting cast is a joy-Colie Mochrie is charming and eccentric as the local handyman Gil, Debra McGrath brings warmth as Maggie's teacher, and Patrick McKenna delights as her quirky theater-loving father. Jordyn Gillis is memorable as Jessica, the school's resident mean girl, whose actions challenge Maggie's resilience.

Visually playful and emotionally honest, Magnetosphere is more than just a coming-of-age story-it's a love letter to embracing what makes us unique. It's a must-see for anyone who's ever felt different, and a reminder that our quirks can be our greatest strengths.

I enjoyed watching this - there is a lesson, and it made me tear up at the end. I'm 43 years old and I wish this type of film existed when I was little, although 43 is certainly not too old to watch it now. The kid actors in this film did a great job and I especially liked the youngest one (I think her name was Eedie but it's been a little bit since I've seen it so I could be wrong!). Anyway, I appreciate an alternative type movie that was thoughtfully made and this one fits the bill.