8. Young Adult
While it could be argued that Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman’s Young Adult is the perfect example of an ANTI coming of age movie, there is some hope by the end that Charlize Theron’s Mavis does at least contemplate making a meaningful change.
The 37-year-old ghost writer of a series of young adult novels has never quite grown up since leaving her hometown and returns in an attempt to regain her high school boyfriend. However, while the outspoken and often despicable Mavis still appears to be the same girl she always was, it’s clear that he and the rest of the town have since moved on. When she does finally decide it’s time to make a change, she’s persuaded by an old admirer that she’s still better than everyone else and should never alter.
Despite agreeing, it’s left up to the viewer to fully decide whether or not Mavis will truly become a better person by growing up.
