The Sky Is Everywhere

Whenever A24 are involved in a film’s production, audiences can take their name as a guarantee of cinematic excellence. Such is the case with The Sky Is Everywhere. It’s a dazzling and tender coming-of-age tale from the mind of visionary filmmaker Josephine Decker that encompasses sisterhood, grief and music. In fact, the greatest tragedy here is that moviegoers won’t be able to see this one on the big screen alongside its release on Apple TV+.

Based on the novel of the same name by Jandy Nelson (who also penned the screenplay) and directed by Decker (Shirley), this magical film sees musical prodigy Lennie’s (Grace Kaufman in what could be her breakthrough role) life fall into a spiral of grief after the sudden death of her older sister (Havana Rose Liu). With her passion for music and dreams of Juilliard dwindling, she finds comfort and understanding in the arms of her sister’s heartbroken boyfriend (Pico Alexander). However, when Lennie sparks a relationship with one of her bandmates (Jacques Colimon), she finds herself at the centre of a complex and fragile love triangle. It’s up to her to navigate her way through these contrasting and overpowering emotions.

For what could have easily been another disposable soppy teen romance, the film delivers a mature yet playful exploration of its main themes. The honest way in which the characters communicate and act towards each other feels authentic and allows the emotional beats to develop in a natural way. It’s the script’s offbeat humour and quirky characters where the bulk of this movie’s personality lies. The result is a light-hearted and creative yet emotionally rich experience that envelopes viewers in the protagonist’s imagination and heartache.

At around the halfway point, however, the plot loses its footing somewhat. Extraneous plot diversions result in the story retracing its steps for a portion of the second act, only for it to reach the same inevitable conclusion. What’s there is still great and told with plenty of heart and love, though the lull in the pacing nevertheless dampens the overall enjoyment.

A soaring yet emotionally devastating coming-of-age romance in the spirit of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, The Sky Is Everywhere proves it is worthy of the A24 logo.

Andrew Murray

The Sky Is Everywhere is released on Apple TV+ on 11^th February 2022.

Watch the trailer for The Sky Is Everywhere here: