I can only be frustrated with the movie because the majority of it works so well. The coming-of-age romcom moments had me yearning for a time when trans movies are allowed to exist without the burden of teaching.

Unfortunately it suffers from a narrative that really has been played out countless times before.

While the acting is strong, from both the leads and the supporting cast, the film struggles to find a real foundation, if not also a heart, amidst main character Tosiek's figuring out why he's so "angry at the world."

Fanfic is a great queer movie, it’s just not a great movie, movie. But even still, this one is well worth the watch for its matter-of-fact approach to coming out, a great parent-child relationship, and a huge screw you to a terrible teacher.