The Miseducation of Cameron Post

It’s 1993 and Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Moretz – The Equalizer, Kick-Ass) has just signed up to be a ‘disciple’ of God’s Promise – a therapy centre in the middle of nowhere, specialising in young people facing the sin of same-sex attraction. (Basically, she’s going to pray away the gay!)

Wholesome activities such as stuffing religious leaflets into envelopes, jogging, regular prayer sessions, discussions on ‘what led them here’, and karaoke nights, are all part of the path to virtuous heterosexuality. Cameron doesn’t really want to be here; but she doesn’t really have a choice due to her religiously conservative guardians. Fortunately, she befriends a couple of likeminded individuals who are pretending to go along with the process until they get released…

Chloë Grace Moretz delivers the performance of her career so far (and that’s saying a lot). Compared to her other big roles in Kick-Ass, Let Me In, Carrie and even The Equalizer, this is a reserved and nuanced performance. For a lot of the film, it’s unclear whether she will reject the therapy or not (and whether even she knows). Based on the Emily Danforth novel of the same name, this is a beautiful and gripping drama, and well worth a watch.

Natalie Tyldesley-Marshall