A Girl Like Her 2015

Jessica, portrayed by Lexi Ainsworth, is a troubled 15-year-old sophomore grappling with deep personal issues that lead her to a heartbreaking attempt to end her life by consuming a handful of pills from her mother’s medicine cabinet. When her mother discovers her unconscious, Jessica is urgently rushed to the hospital. Compounding this crisis is the fact that her high school has gained recognition for being among the top ten public schools in the nation, which leads the filmmaker Amy Gallagher (Amy S. Weber) to create a documentary about the school’s experiences.

As news of Jessica’s suicide attempt spreads like wildfire through the school, the documentary cameras capture the overwhelming emotions and reactions of her classmates, showcasing a raw, unfiltered perspective of teen turmoil. Miss Gallagher and her crew set out to interview students about Jessica, unveiling that her emotional distress was largely driven by the relentless bullying from her former best friend, Avery Keller, played by Hunter King. This bullying traces back to a pivotal moment in junior high when Jessica refused to let Avery cheat off her test, which marked the beginning of a toxic cycle of harassment.

During interviews, Jessica’s best friend, Brian, portrayed by Jimmy Bennett, reveals the painful history of bullying that Jessica endured from Avery. Brian explains that while many students were unaware of the true nature of their relationship, he had the inside knowledge of the escalating bullying that Jessica faced over the years. When confronted, Avery dismisses the accusations, claiming they simply drifted apart. To counter the growing rumors, she opts to share her life experiences through a video diary, but her footage inadvertently exposes the dysfunction in her family life. She struggles with a domineering mother and a lackadaisical father, compounded by her older brother’s failures.

As tensions rise, Brian confesses to the documentary crew about a hidden camera they had used to record Avery’s bullying behavior. In a significant reveal, he shares footage that captures Avery’s barrage of emotional torment – from physical bullying to cruel, distressing messages urging Jessica to take her own life. The footage painfully illustrates Jessica’s isolation and despair, highlighting her struggles that go unnoticed by her peers.

As the school community rallies around Jessica, the narrative takes a dark turn. Avery’s cruelty begins to unravel her social standing, and during a confrontation with the school’s principal, her dysfunctional family’s denial further complicates matters. In a moment of heightened tension, Avery lashes out online, further humiliating Jessica after revealing her frustrations and minimizing the seriousness of the situation.

The climax unfolds in the hospital as Jessica’s heartbeat fades, leaving her parents and the documentary crew in turmoil. In a parallel storyline, Avery watches the recorded footage of her bullying in a moment of visceral realization that leads her to seek forgiveness. Crying and filled with remorse, she acknowledges the damage she caused, stating, “My name is Avery Keller, and I’m a bully.”

In a poignant conclusion, after a life-saving intervention regains Jessica’s pulse, the film closes with Jessica gradually regaining consciousness, her eyes opening as she stares intently into the camera. This moment encapsulates not just a fight for her life, but also serves as a powerful testament to the devastating effects of bullying and the profound need for understanding and compassion in the face of overwhelming adversity.