Premiered at Sundance, Molly Manners crafts a warm and observant portrait of girlhood.

• Movie Review: Extra Geography
• Cast: Marni Duggan, Galaxie Clear, Alice Englert, Aoife Riddell
• Director: Molly Manners
• Rating: 5star

Growing up within the confines of a school is a universal experiencefriendships that feel eternal, quiet rebellions, and an urgent desire to become older than we are. These emotions form the emotional core of Extra Geography, a gentle and insightful coming-of-age drama that revisits adolescence with remarkable sensitivity.

Directed by Molly Manners, the film is set in an English girls’ boarding school and follows Minna and Flic, two inseparable teenage friends played by first-time actors Galaxie Clear and Marni Duggan. The pair share everythingfrom classroom desks to dorm roomsand remain united by a shared indifference toward boys. Their world feels complete until curiosity, emotion, and the desire to experience love begin to quietly disrupt their bond.

Adapted from Rose Tremain’s short story by Succession writer Miriam Battye, the film establishes its tone with authenticity and understated charm. There are faint echoes of Lady Bird, but Extra Geography distinguishes itself through its distinctly British humour and a soft, wistful gaze that never loses empathy for its characters. Minna’s decision to fall in love firstsettling on the gentle geography teacher Miss Delavignesets events in motion, while a co-educational summer production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream further complicates matters.

What truly elevates the film is Manners’ refusal to mock or trivialise her protagonists. The humour emerges naturally, rooted in observation rather than ridicule. Moments of emotional discomfort and quiet cruelty feel painfully real, particularly when they arise within close friendships. Joe Randall-Cutler’s seamless editing allows scenes to flow organically, reinforcing the film’s emotional rhythm without a single false note.

Clear and Duggan deliver confident, deeply felt performances, giving Minna and Flic distinct identities as their friendship subtly shifts. Manners’ assured direction, combined with the film’s emotional intelligence, makes Extra Geography a quietly powerful experience. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, it stands out as an affecting and memorable coming-of-age triumph.