TV Editor Jasmine Davies takes a look back at the dark coming-of-age, Thirteen, a perfectly-imperfect depiction of adolescence

Written by Jasmine Davies
tv editor, digital media and communications <3
Published

Trigger Warnings: mentions of drug use, self-harm, sex

Sex, drugs, theft – at first glance, this story might seem alluring, or even glamorous… until the film’s title hits you, and you realise the characters are thirteen.

Thirteen tells the story of Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood), a smart and naïve 13-year-old. Following her desperate attempts to fit in, Tracy befriends Evie (Nikki Reed): the most popular girl in the school. This is the turning point; Tracy’s life begins to take a dark turn. As Tracy’s mom, Melanie (Holly Hunter), would say – ‘Tracy was playing with barbies before she met Evie.’

The film does not shy away from depicting the uncomfortable realities of adolescence: self-harm, drug use, complex relationships with parents, and sexual exploration. When it first hit theatres in 2003, many considered it too scandalous, horrified by its refusal to sanitise the terrifying truths of teenage rebellion. However, that rawness is precisely what makes Thirteen so powerful, even today.

Watching it as a newly turned adult, I experienced it differently than I might have as a teenager

I’d been meaning to watch Thirteen for years. Seeing Catherine Hardwicke’s name attached to it was enough to gain my interest – after all, she directed the first Twilight, a film that defined a generation (no, I’m not here to defend my love for that masterpiece). However, like so many titles on my never-ending Letterboxd watchlist, it sat untouched for far too long. It wasn’t until Thirteen began trending on TikTok a few years ago that I finally circled back to it. Suddenly, clips of Tracy and Evie – tongue piercings, low-rise jeans, and smeared eyeliner – were everywhere, with young viewers romanticising the chaos of their lives.

When I finally pressed play, watching it as a newly turned adult, I experienced it differently than I might have as a teenager. For two hours, I found myself in my mother’s shoes, watching with a mix of worry and heartbreak. I saw not just the allure of rebellion but the pain and vulnerability driving it. I was dragged into the world of its characters and forced to reminisce on my own complicated teenage years.

But Thirteen has a complex legacy. While it’s undeniably a gritty and honest exploration of adolescence, its place in modern day society feels problematic. Much like Lolita – a work that’s often misinterpreted and dangerously romanticised – Thirteen has been adopted by certain corners of the internet. On TikTok, countless videos feature young girls recreating the film’s edgy fashion, idolising the characters, and aspiring to a “Thirteen aesthetic.” It’s ironic seeing a film intending to highlight self-destructive teenagers turned into a style guide. Although, I have no room to judge, I spent my early teenage years wishing I was Effy Stonem from the TV show Skins. I guess that’s what teenagers do; desire to imitate what’s perceived as scandalous. Can it really be avoided?

Despite the inevitable glorification of the film, it’s important to acknowledge the comfort Thirteen provides for some viewers – particularly teens who see their own struggles reflected in Tracy’s story. After all, the film was based off Nikki Reed herself, reflecting on her own experiences as a teenager through the character of Tracy. For some, Thirteen isn’t just a cautionary tale; it’s a mirror into their lives.

This duality – the way the film can be both a source of comfort and a dangerous blueprint – is part of what makes Thirteen so fascinating. It refuses to fit neatly into any one box. It’s not a PSA, nor pure entertainment. It’s imperfect, just like adolescence itself.


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