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Comedy

Big Time Adolescence (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Big Time Adolescence (2020) movie poster

Big Time Adolescence is a 2020 comedy directed by Jason Orley, starring Griffin Gluck as Monroe, Aiden Arthur and Pete Davidson. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Echo Score
70
Metascore
64
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Big Time Adolescence (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Jason Orley
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Big Time Adolescence About?

The premise of Big Time Adolescence without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A charismatic but troubled former party animal takes a young, impressionable student under his wing, attempting to guide him through the chaotic experience of adolescence. He imparts life lessons, though often with questionable advice and a penchant for reckless behavior. The film explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and the challenges of growing up, all while navigating a landscape of teenage antics and unexpected consequences.

Big Time Adolescence Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • teenager
  • teen male lead
  • friendship
  • coming of age
  • friend
  • father son relationship
  • calling someone a dick
  • drug
  • drug dealing
  • three word title
  • bad influence
  • father figure
+24 more
  • brother figure
  • unlikely friendship
  • used
  • using someone
  • losers
  • false role model
  • teen angst
  • virginity
  • houseparties
  • high school
  • underage drinking
  • serving minors
  • babysitting
  • odd friendships
  • wingman
  • courting
  • bad parenting
  • payless shoesource
  • strip mall
  • party city store
  • movie theater
  • heterosexual couple
  • heterosexual parenting
  • older woman younger man relationship
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Cast & crew

Big Time Adolescence Cast & Characters

Griffin Gluck leads the cast as Monroe, with Aiden Arthur as Younger Monroe and Pete Davidson as Zeke. Directed by Jason Orley; 16 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jason Orley

More films directed by Jason Orley, best-rated first: I Want You Back, Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli, Pete Davidson Presents: The Best Friends and Pete Davidson: Alive from New York.

Full filmography
Ratings

Big Time Adolescence Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Big Time Adolescence 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in story & flow (60).

70 /100

Big Time Adolescence Echo Score Breakdown

Big Time Adolescence delivers a moderately engaging exploration of late adolescence, buoyed by charismatic performances but hampered by a predictable narrative. Critics and viewers alike praise Pete Davidson’s portrayal and moments of authentic humor, yet many note an uneven script and familiar coming‐of‐age beats. Pacing and tone find a comfortable rhythm in places, though the film often lacks lingering impact. Overall, the film offers a largely pleasant but not entirely memorable viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Big Time Adolescence exhibits a generally competent but conventional visual style. Viewers highlight clean framing and occasional inventive camera moves, while some critics find the photography pleasant yet unremarkable. Production design and editing maintain a consistent flow but rarely draw attention beyond supporting the story. On balance, the film’s art direction provides a solid backdrop without elevating the material to distinctive visual heights.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to acting and emotional depth, the film largely succeeds on the strength of its lead performance. Reviews consistently praise Davidson’s portrayal as a charming yet toxic mentor and note real chemistry between him and the younger co‐star. Supporting cast members earn occasional commendation for subtle character moments, though some observers find certain relationships underexplored. As a result, character work remains the film’s most compelling element.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of plot and engagement, Big Time Adolescence offers an approachable narrative that can feel familiar and predictable. Critics and users note a lack of originality in its coming‐of‐age structure, though the storyline moves at a steady pace and includes credible character motivations. Some viewers appreciate the realistic depiction of youthful missteps, while others find the conclusion underdeveloped. Overall, the story delivers sufficient cohesion but rarely surprises the audience.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    When considering the film’s sound and visual style, Big Time Adolescence maintains an unobtrusive yet cohesive sensory presentation. Observers praise the soundtrack for its fitting indie tone and note crisp sound design in party sequences. Visual styling, including subdued color palettes and clean cinematography, supports the mood without overwhelming the narrative. In sum, the sensory elements complement the story effectively, providing a pleasant audiovisual environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    When it comes to replay value and lasting appeal, Big Time Adolescence earns moderate interest but limited longevity. Some viewers cite its humor and lead performance as reasons to revisit, while others note that the modest narrative depth and predictable beats diminish repeat engagement. The film’s approachable tone offers comfort viewing for certain audiences but lacks the layered complexity that encourages multiple viewings. Ultimately, the rewatch factor remains sufficient without achieving standout memorability.

Plot

Big Time Adolescence Plot Summary

What happens in Big Time Adolescence from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film unfolds within the hallowed halls of high school, where 16-year-old Monroe “Mo” Harris (Griffin Gluck) finds himself in a precarious situation when he is unexpectedly summoned by the principal and a police officer. Their serious demeanor signals the turmoil that is about to ensue, setting the stage for a narrative that delves into the intricate dynamics of relationships rather than assigning blame.

Full summary

The whole story of Big Time Adolescence, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Big Time Adolescence Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Red Band Trailer
  • Featurette U.S. Dramatic Competition: Big Time Adolescence
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Big Time Adolescence?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main conflict that causes Mo to be called into the principal's office at the beginning of the film?

Details

Big Time Adolescence Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Отвязная юность” and “Mauvaise Influence”.

Also known as
  • Отвязная юность
  • Mauvaise Influence
  • A nagybetűs kamaszkor
  • Giovani e felici
  • 僕が大人になる前に
  • Dorastanie z przytupem
  • Velika adolescencija
  • Bendita adolescencia
  • 超級青春期
  • 非常青春期
  • Hızlı Gençlik
  • Tuổi Teen Huy Hoàng
+15 more
  • Взрослеть на полную
  • 超级青春期
  • Amizade Adolescente
  • بزرگسالی بزرگ
  • Юність із розмахом
  • 非常春青期
  • Der harte Weg zum Erwachsenwerden
  • Por fin adolescente
  • מבוגר אחראי
  • 빅 타임 애덜레슨스
  • مُراهقةٌ من الطراز الأول
  • โจ๋แสบ พี่สอนมา
  • Thời niên thiếu bá đạo
  • 非常重要的青春期
  • Těžká puberta

Seen Big Time Adolescence?

FAQ

Big Time Adolescence FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Big Time Adolescence, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Big Time Adolescence?

Big Time Adolescence runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Big Time Adolescence released?

Big Time Adolescence was released on March 13, 2020.

Who directed Big Time Adolescence?

Big Time Adolescence was directed by Jason Orley.

More films by Jason Orley

Who is in the cast of Big Time Adolescence?

Big Time Adolescence stars Griffin Gluck as Monroe, Aiden Arthur as Younger Monroe and Pete Davidson as Zeke, among 16 credited actors.

How is Big Time Adolescence rated?

Big Time Adolescence has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Does Big Time Adolescence have a post-credit scene?

No. Big Time Adolescence has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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