"Sometimes you need to go to the dark side to see the light." I don't know, I think they probably could have done a bit better with that tagline. However ...
Naturally hitting those campy, nostalgic and cheesy notes so effortlessly, it's clear My Summer As A Goth is an independent film with a good heart, besides the certain limitations that come with a low budget. The charm of it all overrides any of its shortcomings, clearing the way for it to be one of 2020's cuter, more sincere films. The characters could have been fleshed out just a bit more but the casting is rock solid with relatable, "unknown" actors, free of the weight of stardom or celebrity getting in the way of their development. There's no putting on airs here, which lends itself to all aspects of the film.
For a first film, a passion for filmmaking comes across quite strongly and shows much promise for this first-time director, leading a majority female crew which undoubtedly brought a fresh take to the "teen" or "coming of age" genre this fits into perfectly.
A DIY soundtrack - in a sense - with a lot of lesser known goth artists adds another feel of realism, while the Portland setting and filming locations could not be more fitting to the film's theme of individuality. The overall feel is "safe DIY," safe because My Summer As A Goth aims for a younger, teenage audience, but there's a lot of core sentiments here that appeals to all age groups, earning it a charmed, enthusiastic B from your pal(s) at The Daily Ghost.
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