Coming-of-Age Credit Sequence Analysis

1. Eighth Grade (2018)

The opening credits of Eighth Grade feel awkward in a way that’s made to feel relatable. They play over a YouTube video Kayla is recording, where she tries to give advice about being confident, even though you can tell she’s not confident at all. She stumbles over her words and tries to sound like she has everything figured out, but she clearly doesn’t. The credits fade in around her and right away the movie shows that it’s going to be about the messy, uncomfortable parts of growing up that most people don’t talk about.

IMDb. (n.d.). Eighth Grade. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7014006/

2. The Way, Way Back (2013)

This movie starts with Duncan sitting in the back seat while his mom’s boyfriend basically criticizes him. The credits roll over shots of the road and Duncan staring out the window, looking miserable. Nothing dramatic happens, but you can instantly feel how awkward and trapped he feels. It’s the kind of moment a lot of teens can relate to which is being stuck in a situation where you don’t feel heard. The opening makes you feel bad for him right away, and it sets up the idea that he’s going to have to figure out who he is outside of the people who put him down.

Dargis, M. (2013, July 4). ‘The Way, Way Back,’ from Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/05/movies/the-way-way-back-from-nat-faxon-and-jim-rash.html

3. Sing Street (2016)

In Sing Street, the credits show up while Conor is sitting in his room writing a song, trying to escape all the chaos happening in his family. The music starts off soft and then slowly builds, almost like his imagination is waking up. The credits blend into the scene instead of interrupting it, which gives the whole moment a hopeful, creative feeling. It’s a great way to introduce a story about a kid who uses music to express himself and find some confidence. The opening makes it feel like you’re watching the very beginning of a dream he’s just starting to chase.

Sampson, M. (2016, January 25). ‘Sing Street’ review: The next great musical from the director of ‘Once’. ScreenCrush. https://screencrush.com/sing-street-review/