Sweet teenage girl gets caught kissing her girlfriend and is sent to a Christian gay conversion camp. The film But I'm a Cheerleader had a comic perspective on this situation but this film Miseducation takes it seriously. Seemed like a realistically awful situation. Fortunately the girl makes some friends at the camp but they all suffer under the pressure to change their orientation. The film shows that this is emotional abuse. The acting of all the teens is excellent.
128 Reviews
Socially relevant yet non-vindictive
hudson-todd11 April 2019
You have to take this film for what it is: a low-key exploration of the experience of teenagers in a fundamentalist Christian gay conversion camp. The biggest mistake a movie like this could make would be to overly vilify everything about the camp and it's staff rather then dealing with them as human beings who are the products of their own misguided religious belief systems. The second biggest mistake a film like this could make would be NOT to address the emotional abuse that such a practice delivers. To this end, the film lets the harm of conversion therapy be self-evident without overtly pointing to it in a reactionary, outraged fashion. This is no easy accomplishment. The film is subtle and features solid acting performances by promising young actors, led by the magnificent Chloe Grace Moretz. They managed to portray the realistic ambivalence experienced by LGBT youth who find themselves in such situations. Although it will win no great swards, will be no blockbuster, and will not become a cult classic, this film definitely belongs on your must-watch list if you care about this issue.
A low-key character drama that lacks a little punch.
Pjtaylor-96-1380449 September 2018
Set amongst a backdrop of insidious emotional manipulation and subtle, self-hate inducing abuse, 'The Miseducation Of Cameron Post (2018)' is a low-key character-drama that excels at letting itself play out in an unexaggerated, 'realistic' way. It condemns its central situation - and specifically the very real institutions and mindsets that it showcases - simply by portraying it in as honest a way as possible, thereby allowing the audience to come to their own, hopefully universal conclusions about the underhanded evil on display (whether or not it's perpetrators know it to be so). However, the opportunity for social-commentary such a setting provides isn't quite as capitalised on as you might expect, since the judgement of its antagonistic characters and thought-processes very much rests on its audience's shoulders. In this way, it almost feels like it lacks the punch to properly sink into the issues on display. Yet, the lack of 'hand-holding' is also appreciated and the viewer is given perhaps more agency than usual. All in all, the almost 'back-seat' approach works for the genre but it's still a double-edged sword. It also applies to the character development, too, as so much of it is internal that one could mistake it for being absent. However, our lead undertakes a distinct and impactful journey. It usually occurs behind her eyes, out of our vision, but emerges in several key yet somewhat indirect moments to make for a wholistic and believable self-discovery. It could've perhaps been given some more room to breathe, alongside a few extra scenes dedicated to inner turmoil in order to make it perhaps more tangible, but is representative of the flick's overall 'laid-back', 'closed-off' vibe. The few moments when it bursts to the fore are powerful, too. The performances are universally great and Moretz is fantastic in the down-played lead role. Everything's generally so subtle, though, and that makes most of the movie a rather 'floaty' affair; there's only so much investment possible when everyone is so guarded and secretive. Still, the overall experience is entertaining, engaging and, sometimes, somewhat upsetting (seeing what these characters have to go through, which is still happening in our world right now, is tough at times). It's a picture that leaves you hopeful but actually has slight, somewhat intangible sting in the tail. There's plenty to like here, but perhaps more could've been done with the material. 6/10
Another missed opportunity
enricoN71 October 2018
Cameron is sent to straight camp after being found kissing her girlfriend in a car. I really wanted to like this movie, but as often happens with gay movies the script didn't deliver. Cameron is not going to be broken, the head of the institution clearly has no idea what he's doing, one of the pupils hurts himself... all ideas that should have been developed, but are just delivered flat to the audience. Underwhelming.
Good but lacking
willohmsford21 March 2019
I expected much more
rafaelacavlina10 November 2018
I've been waiting for this movie for a really long time. I've heard it's gonna be similar to the movie 'But I'm a Cheerleader' and I can say that it is but only up to a point. It seems more mature. I don't know why but I expected more plot. I was a bit disappointed when it ended and I didn't feel like anything was resolved. The main character seems so lost and we usually expect her to find her way but she didn't.
On the other side, this movie is really important because it talks about homosexuality in more mature way. And this is maybe the first time they have actually shown an accurate depiction of what the religion really says about this topic. What I find also important is that it discusses the possible causes that led to the SSA.
All in all, it's not a complete waste of time but do not expect too much.
Modest story of identity realization and coming-of-age truth
PotassiumMan11 August 2018
This small film is a triumph of down-to-earth storytelling on the experience of young people going through gay conversion therapy through religious browbeating. It's the story of a teenage girl, Cameron Post, played with visceral substance by Chloe Grace Moretz, who experiences life in exactly this type of setting. Her story begins when she is discovered engaging in sexual intimacy with a female classmate during prom and is sent by her outraged aunt to a ghastly gay conversion camp in a rural area. She soon meets two other teenage members (Sasha Lane and Forrest Goodluck, both excellent) who secretly refuse to embrace the camp's philosophy.
Although this could have been something more dramatic and perhaps could have gone a bit deeper, it's not a misfire by virtue of being slight in its length or in its treatment of the difficult material. It is alternately heartbreaking and outrageous but also at times bemusing as the camp veers between apparent sadism and pitiful ineptitude in trying to pound its young members into submission. Jennifer Ehle is powerful as the camp's leader and psychologist in an icy, Nurse Ratched-like performance who has her brother, a "cured" gay man as the camp's spiritual leader. The film also does not shy away from showing the emotional toll on even the camp's most docile members.
Even though the film's resolution seems too casual and almost too simple, I still found it quite satisfying, together with a roaring soundtrack which toward the end conveys a ray of hope. Recommended for its thoughtful approach and fine performances.
Although this could have been something more dramatic and perhaps could have gone a bit deeper, it's not a misfire by virtue of being slight in its length or in its treatment of the difficult material. It is alternately heartbreaking and outrageous but also at times bemusing as the camp veers between apparent sadism and pitiful ineptitude in trying to pound its young members into submission. Jennifer Ehle is powerful as the camp's leader and psychologist in an icy, Nurse Ratched-like performance who has her brother, a "cured" gay man as the camp's spiritual leader. The film also does not shy away from showing the emotional toll on even the camp's most docile members.
Even though the film's resolution seems too casual and almost too simple, I still found it quite satisfying, together with a roaring soundtrack which toward the end conveys a ray of hope. Recommended for its thoughtful approach and fine performances.
More than about sexual orientation
anandshakti13 September 2018
I am a 71 year old heterosexual woman and I loved it. It left me with a large lump in my throat so I went home to see what it was about. And big surprise it took me back to my high school years when I felt so frustrated, bored, trapped by the stupidity of what I was spending my days doing. Taking tests on regurgitated information that didn't interest me at all. I just cried the lump out that was a ball of similar feelings to the ones portrayed in the movie. This was outwardly worse and very poignant and it makes me understand why so many kids today are lost and angry. They are right to be angry. Who is caring for who they are- not who everyone wants them to be?
Thanks for your courageous movie. I think almost anyone could get something out of it.
Thanks for your courageous movie. I think almost anyone could get something out of it.
Nicely directed, but what's its point?
nnenok13 October 2018
Throughout the film, I was trying to figure out what's the reason behind making this film now. It's about gay Christian conversion camp set in 1993 and tells us what absolutely everyone (or at least people who this film is aimed at) in 2018 knows - conversion doesn't work. It would make more sense if it would be set in this day and age and would be showing conversion camps that still exist; but a 25 year-old-story is at the same time not old enough to be showing a piece of history, and not recent enough to be relevant to the current state of society.
It also doesn't put a new spin on the story - if anything, it feels like almost the same plot as But I'm a Cheerleader (made in 1999). If the latter would be made today, it would be presented as a parody of Miseducation of CP, as it is a very campy comedy, however, it hits most of the same plot points. My only guess to why this film was made now is that films like this are able to get famous names and thus a more mainstream audience (like with Love, Simon earlier this year), allowing telling stories that were previously aimed at - and seen only by - a narrow group of people; and that someone wanted to do some nice sex scenes in a Christian environment. Now those were worth seeing!
It also doesn't put a new spin on the story - if anything, it feels like almost the same plot as But I'm a Cheerleader (made in 1999). If the latter would be made today, it would be presented as a parody of Miseducation of CP, as it is a very campy comedy, however, it hits most of the same plot points. My only guess to why this film was made now is that films like this are able to get famous names and thus a more mainstream audience (like with Love, Simon earlier this year), allowing telling stories that were previously aimed at - and seen only by - a narrow group of people; and that someone wanted to do some nice sex scenes in a Christian environment. Now those were worth seeing!
Feels unfinished
reefaguapodasavage29 May 2019
gay conversion therapy is torture
lee_eisenberg30 April 2019
In the last few years, the controversial practice known as gay conversion therapy - wherein they try to "cure" people of LGBT feelings - has been making news as a number of US states have banned it. "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" shows the horrors experienced by a girl who got subjected to it. The movie's point is that the people who run these camps act as if they're doing something noble, but they're actually just teaching children to hate themselves. No wonder LGBT teens have such a high suicide rate.
I recommend the movie, as it pulls no punches in depicting the cruelty of the practice. There's nothing innocent about gay conversion therapy.
Someone needs to come up with bigot conversion therapy, where drag queens try to convince hate-filled people to stop looking for reasons to fear the "other".
I recommend the movie, as it pulls no punches in depicting the cruelty of the practice. There's nothing innocent about gay conversion therapy.
Someone needs to come up with bigot conversion therapy, where drag queens try to convince hate-filled people to stop looking for reasons to fear the "other".
A good film that could have gone further
ethanbresnett23 December 2022
The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a good film, but I felt like it could have and should have been a great film.
Chloe Grace Moretz makes for a very compelling lead. She brought a real sensitivity and depth to this role that was very engaging and drew you into her character. The supporting cast were all fantastic too so the film can't be faulted from this point of view.
The story is pretty well developed, depicting the incredibly cruel manipulation that goes on in these backwards conversion therapy camps. I do wish it had gone further though. The film is often very contemplative and reflective with fully scratching beneath the surface of its characters or themes, which left me wanting more. In this way I feel like the film wasn't nearly as emotional as it could have been.
Still, the film is shot very well, and overall it is an engaging and provoking piece. It just feels like there was a missed opportunity to really push this film. Most definitely worth a watch nonetheless.
Chloe Grace Moretz makes for a very compelling lead. She brought a real sensitivity and depth to this role that was very engaging and drew you into her character. The supporting cast were all fantastic too so the film can't be faulted from this point of view.
The story is pretty well developed, depicting the incredibly cruel manipulation that goes on in these backwards conversion therapy camps. I do wish it had gone further though. The film is often very contemplative and reflective with fully scratching beneath the surface of its characters or themes, which left me wanting more. In this way I feel like the film wasn't nearly as emotional as it could have been.
Still, the film is shot very well, and overall it is an engaging and provoking piece. It just feels like there was a missed opportunity to really push this film. Most definitely worth a watch nonetheless.
Could Have Done More
allenwhybray3 August 2018
Cameron starts humming "What's Going On" and within minutes is standing on the table singing it loud and proud. There's an inherent energy in that scene that often feels missing from the rest of the picture. Also, the people in this story are flesh-and-blood examples of a tragic emotional Stockholm Syndrome that should not be. I just wish the story did more with them.
Mediocre
A1l9i8m625 December 2018
There was no storyline. The main character had nothing to lose. A peripheral character lost a lot, but his character wasn't well developed enough for his loss to warrant anything more than an "Oh gross" and a small amount of pity. Add to this that the ending fell flat and you have a big "meh."
Wanted more
schubej-123 May 2019
I so wanted passionate screaming at these disgusting "Christians." Of course this was in 1993 when homosexuality was not acceptable to most straight people. I'm a straight 71 year old male who witnessed homophobia first hand and even accepted that as normal behavior. Then I had the privilege of getting to know some incredible gays, both male and female. They were far more moral than all of the Homophobic Christians I knew. This film focuses on Conversion Therapy which, extraordinarily, still exists today. It's incomprehensible to me that some people think being gay is a choice, is immoral or is a disease. Unfortunately, most people who don't understand the LGBTQ community will never see this film and those that do will most likely dismiss it as mere propaganda. Chloe Grace Moretz paints a compelling portrait of a teen subjected to this treatment and although she rebels to a degree the accepted values of the day stand in the way of her screaming her disgust at "authority."
very realistic one
ahmetkaanyetkin19039 November 2018
This movie is about (you know the other parts bla bla)
in my opinion got a strong message to everybody.
you can not force anybody to be like this or this is true this is not. let people live..! I like the cinamatograph in the general of the movie. especially about the last morning they have breakfast together.. chek out that daylights.. there is no another lights there is the genius of directory.
Watch it for Chloe Grace Moretz.
Azanspy11 December 2018
Amusing, beautiful and educational
subxerogravity3 August 2018
But your preaching to the choir.
Cameron Post is a young woman discovering her sexuality when she is caught doing things unchristian like, so her family takes her to a camp that's met brainwash you into believing your something that your not. What's really messed up is at that young age she does not even know who she is and they are try to destroy it before she does.
It is a movie that gets me asking a lot of questions that I already know the answers to, but it's questions that always should be ask cause I feel that it does help with the process of tolerance in the world.
In the The Miseducation of Cameron Post we become educated, in a movie that does it in a fun and enjoyable matter, but I'm a bit biased cause I'm a huge fan of Chloë Grace Moretz, who I thought was so fantastic as Cameron Post.
Cameron Post is a young woman discovering her sexuality when she is caught doing things unchristian like, so her family takes her to a camp that's met brainwash you into believing your something that your not. What's really messed up is at that young age she does not even know who she is and they are try to destroy it before she does.
It is a movie that gets me asking a lot of questions that I already know the answers to, but it's questions that always should be ask cause I feel that it does help with the process of tolerance in the world.
In the The Miseducation of Cameron Post we become educated, in a movie that does it in a fun and enjoyable matter, but I'm a bit biased cause I'm a huge fan of Chloë Grace Moretz, who I thought was so fantastic as Cameron Post.
While the film itself is superb, it's also likely to fly too far under the radar to land Moretz any awards
Metaflix12 August 2018
Chloë Grace Moretz has been squarely on our radar since 2011's phenomenal 'Hugo.' In 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post,' she plays a high school junior who gets caught in the back seat of a car with another girl during prom and is subsequently sent to a religious gay conversion facility.
Playing a gay character is a rite of passage for many young actors and actresses. At its most poignant, such a performance brings the potential for an Academy Award into the realm of possibility (Tom Hanks in Philadelphia is one such example). In 'Miseducation,' Moretz puts her acting chops on full display and we couldn't be happier to see her continuing to push the boundaries of her talent.
While the film itself is superb, it's also likely to fly too far under the radar to land Moretz any awards. However, the expectations for her to someday have enough hardware to fill up her mantle have never been higher.
Playing a gay character is a rite of passage for many young actors and actresses. At its most poignant, such a performance brings the potential for an Academy Award into the realm of possibility (Tom Hanks in Philadelphia is one such example). In 'Miseducation,' Moretz puts her acting chops on full display and we couldn't be happier to see her continuing to push the boundaries of her talent.
While the film itself is superb, it's also likely to fly too far under the radar to land Moretz any awards. However, the expectations for her to someday have enough hardware to fill up her mantle have never been higher.
Boy Erased>
ThomasDrufke18 January 2019
The obvious first comparison people have to this film is it's 2018 companion, Boy Erased. While I don't always like comparing movies, because it's not typically fair to do so, there's a clear choice for better film among these two. The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a well made film about a teenage girl being put into conversation therapy after getting caught making out with one of her schoolmates. As I said while reviewing Boy Erased, it's incredibly off-putting that such 'therapy' centers still exist, and both films give off an "icky" feeling the whole treatment aspect. However, as a film, I would have liked Cameron Post to go through a bigger arc. I always enjoyed watching Cameron and her therapy mates bond over the ridiculousness, but it does feel a little "too clean" at times.
7.0/10
7.0/10
It's worse than a miseducation
Red-12514 October 2018
The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018) was co-written and directed by Desiree Akhavan. The film stars Chloë Grace Moretz as Cameron, a young lesbian woman who is sent to a Christian conversion center that is supposed to help teens struggling with "same-sex attraction."
The school is directed by Dr. Lydia Marsh, brilliantly portrayed by Jennifer Ehle. According to the movie's hype about the center's staff, these "would-be villains are almost sympathetic."
To me, Dr. Marsh isn't almost sympathetic. She's not even close to being sympathetic. She's a person who has teenagers in her power, and she makes their lives miserable with a detailed system of reinforcements and punishments.
Conversion centers are legal in 41 states. That's a horrifying reality. New York State--where the movie takes place--has made it difficult, but not impossible, to run a conversion center. Each year the NYS Assembly passes legislation to make these centers illegal. Each year the NYS Senate kills the legislation. (Whether the NYS Senate will be changed after the 2018 elections remains to be seen. Even if that happens, we will have to see if they will pass protective legislation.)
The acting of all the teens at the facility is strong. Director Akhavan must have a magic touch to bring out such strong performances. She doesn't need a magic touch for Chloë Grace Moretz, who is already a skilled performer.
Of course, Jennifer Ehle is a brilliant actor. She makes us believe in her (hateful) behavior. It wasn't clear to me whether she truly believed that she was helping the children placed within her charge, or whether she was just doing this to make a living and exert her power. Either way, she portrays a woman you wouldn't want to cross.
We saw this film at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre at The George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of Image Out, the excellent Rochester LGBT Festival.
It will work on the small screen. Seek it out and watch it!
The school is directed by Dr. Lydia Marsh, brilliantly portrayed by Jennifer Ehle. According to the movie's hype about the center's staff, these "would-be villains are almost sympathetic."
To me, Dr. Marsh isn't almost sympathetic. She's not even close to being sympathetic. She's a person who has teenagers in her power, and she makes their lives miserable with a detailed system of reinforcements and punishments.
Conversion centers are legal in 41 states. That's a horrifying reality. New York State--where the movie takes place--has made it difficult, but not impossible, to run a conversion center. Each year the NYS Assembly passes legislation to make these centers illegal. Each year the NYS Senate kills the legislation. (Whether the NYS Senate will be changed after the 2018 elections remains to be seen. Even if that happens, we will have to see if they will pass protective legislation.)
The acting of all the teens at the facility is strong. Director Akhavan must have a magic touch to bring out such strong performances. She doesn't need a magic touch for Chloë Grace Moretz, who is already a skilled performer.
Of course, Jennifer Ehle is a brilliant actor. She makes us believe in her (hateful) behavior. It wasn't clear to me whether she truly believed that she was helping the children placed within her charge, or whether she was just doing this to make a living and exert her power. Either way, she portrays a woman you wouldn't want to cross.
We saw this film at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre at The George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of Image Out, the excellent Rochester LGBT Festival.
It will work on the small screen. Seek it out and watch it!
Meh!
westsideschl5 January 2019
Camp (called the Disciple of God's Promise) conversion therapy (if you can call it that) for LGBTQ.
Positives: That the subject rated a movie. Patient statement, "Programming people to hate themselves." Music: 4 Non-Blondes, "What's Up".
Negatives: A little too commercial & safe given that people have died as a result of this process. Camp referenced Mathew 10:11, but those male chauvinistic period preachings have a lot of negativity in them so not sure of it's applicability. Therapy statement, "Sex attraction is a symptom of a larger problem."
Neutral: Chloë has pretty decent running mechanics, maybe upper body motion slightly energy inefficient.
Read The Book
ebabsy-6085317 July 2019
Beforere reviewing the film I think it would be wise to address the consistent comment that appears on IMBD. Namely that this is a rip off of "But I'm A Cheerleader!". This movie isn't. It is based on a book. That book may have been written as a more serious version of "Cheerleader", but the movie isn't a rip off. While I understand that is a pedantic point to make, it is an important distinction as seeing repeated shouts of "It's a rip off" leads others to question if the writers even knew the book exists.
There are two fundamental issues with "Cameron Post".
Firstly, it starts halfway through the book and a lot of key factors are missed out. In fact, the camp was only about a third of the story. We lost her childhood, her upbringing and relationship with her grandmother after her parents died, her relationship with her aunt, her awakening through movies, and her first two same sex experiences, before we meet the infamous Coley. Rich story that would have added extra depth.
It does follow the same story as "Cheerleader", I cannot deny that, but possibly not only in the most obvious ways of storyline and side characters in the camp. "Cheerleader" is a campy, overly colourful, attempt to make a story about a hard subject, but failed as it kept trying to stick to the humour to drive it, possibly because it was too terrified of the backlash it might receive. Didn't want to upset religious groups, didn't want to push too hard on the subject, and wanted to keep it light it case it came back they could laugh it off that it was just good fun. No harm meant.
"Cameron Post" follows the same pitfalls. While it stays on the side of drama, it, too, tries not to push anything too far. It, too, is afraid of the potential shadow it might cast. And it, too, didn't want to upset anyone. As it was some people were upset and took trying to slam screenings. It is a shame as the material the movie is based on, had much more to offer.
''How is programming people to hate themselves not emotional abuse?''
nguyenbakhanhbicondova2 May 2019
One of the best and most relevant coming of age films you can watch right now. Simple and realistic, the film perfectly captures the relatable struggles we go through during the confusing years of our life (even if you're not a lesbian) such as belief, identity and self-love.
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