Thanks to Her 2022 Movie Review

『A Heartwarming Coming-of-Age Drama About Identity, Healing, and Mutual Understanding』

🎥 Film Overview

🎬 Title: Thanks to Her (2022)
🌍 Country: 🇺🇸 United States
🎞️ Genre: Coming-of-Age Drama / LGBTQ+ / Teen
🗓️ Production & Release: Indie Production, 2022, Feature Film
📢 Director: Sam McCoy
🖋️ Screenwriter: Sam Orlowski
📺 Platform: YouTube (Released in full, 2024)

👩‍💼 Cast: AJ Molder – as Millie Blake
Julia de Avilez Rocha – as Andy Wellick

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

⚽ The Trap of Perfectionism and an Unexpected Encounter

The protagonist, Millie, is a perfectionist who strives to meet the expectations of her parents and peers by maintaining her scholarship and ideal image as a star soccer player. Her life feels secure only within the rules of the soccer field, where she can control everything—yet she’s silently trapped by pressure. In contrast, Andy is a confident outsider at school who speaks openly about her identity without hesitation. Their paths cross when Millie, after being involved in a school altercation, is assigned to do community service at a nursing home alongside Andy.

🤝 Confession, Self-Awareness, and Growth

Their forced time together at the nursing home becomes a catalyst for connection. Andy tutors Millie in math, and Millie begins to admire Andy’s honesty and courage. Through their interactions with residents Pepper and Jade, both girls learn valuable lessons. Pepper, who has hidden her lesbian identity for 53 years, shares her story—teaching Millie the importance of being true to herself rather than living for others’ approval. This moment inspires Millie to come out to Andy, admitting for the first time that she is gay, and acknowledging her authentic self after years of repression.

💕 Spotlight on Asexual Identity

One of the film’s most distinctive aspects is Andy’s identity. She introduces herself as asexual (Ace), showing that she can desire romantic connection without sexual intimacy. This portrayal highlights the diversity within the queer spectrum and reinforces that love does not always have to involve sexual attraction. Andy’s confident self-awareness becomes the greatest source of courage for Millie, empowering her to accept and express her own identity.

🌊 Conflict and Liberation

Millie’s struggle intensifies as she fears losing her scholarship and social standing, leading her to hurt Andy and retreat into denial once more. However, she ultimately finds the strength to come out publicly to her friends and to her mother, declaring, “This isn’t just a phase. It’s who I am—I’m gay, and I’m ace.” This pivotal moment marks her emotional liberation—a rejection of others’ expectations and the embrace of a self-determined life.

🌞 Honest and Positive Perspective

Thanks to Her follows the familiar framework of a coming-of-age story, yet it delivers its message of self-acceptance with warmth and positivity. As the title suggests, Millie becomes her true self “thanks to her”—Andy—who helps her break free from perfectionism and fear. While some scenes may feel slightly melodramatic or rushed, the film’s sincerity, emotional healing, and intergenerational support make it a memorable and uplifting entry in LGBTQ+ teen cinema.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆