“The body is not a thing, but a situation” – Simone de Beauvoir (The Second Sex)
In Molly McGlynn’s latest, Lindy (Played by Maddie Ziegler) is a normal high school student living a normal life. One day, she finds out she has MRKH syndrome, which is a rare condition that affects the female reproduction system. With MRKH syndrome, Lindy was born without a uterus, as well as, an underdeveloped vagina. This leaves Lindy without her menstruation cycle. When this is discovered, it challenges all of her relationships, and Lindy herself.
This movie, written and directed by Molly McGlynn, made me uncomfortable in the best way possible. When Lindy discovers she was born with an underdeveloped vagina, her doctor tells her to do a certain thing to help ‘redevelop the vagina’. Throughout that whole scene, one of the most powerful in the whole film, I was filled with a sense of melancholy. The way McGlynn uses this platform to tackle multiple subjects is quite powerful. The film surely reminded me of a documentary I watched back in June of 2023, titled Every Body. If you want to learn more about intersex individuals and their stories, that documentary is a must-watch for you.
Although there is a mix of answers on whether or not MRKH syndrome is classified as a type of intersex, the film definitely shows Lindy’s emotions in a way that could easily reflect how an intersex individual might feel. Over the film’s runtime, Lindy discovers herself and discovers that nothing about her is ‘wrong’ or ‘incorrect’. Lindy is perfect just the way she is, and that’s what makes Fitting In so powerful.
Besides the immaculate storytelling and messaging, McGlynn created a pretty good screenplay. The characters, especially Lindy, are developed in a way where people will connect with them. The acting from Maddie Ziegler was great as well, and this was my first time seeing her in anything besides Dance Moms. Although I did feel, at some points, that the dialogue was a little cringy, teenage interactions tend to be, and this is a film centered around many teen individuals, so I can see why this might’ve been intentional.
Director: Molly McGlynn
Cast: Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Christian Rose, Ki Griffin, Rhoslynne Bugay
Rating: R (for sexual content, language throughout, drug use, and drinking – all involving teens)
Release Date: 2/2/24 – Limited
Altogether, the film stands out because of its truly amazing message, and I find it immaculate that McGlynn chooses to use her platform to help more people find themselves. It’s truly satisfying seeing Lindy find herself throughout the film, and the film will inspire many more to continue living and being proud of who they are.
Wyatt’s Takes 