Teeth
dir. Mitchell Lichtenstein · 2008
Navigating the complexities of desire and identity can lead to self-discovery and empowerment.
Dawn navigates the treacherous waters of adolescence while grappling with a shocking secret that could redefine her identity. As she confronts the pressures of teenage romance and societal expectations, the film oscillates between absurd humor and unsettling horror. Watching it feels like a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of growing up, where empowerment and fear intertwine in unexpected ways.
Dawn grows up in the shadow of a nuclear power plant. In high school, while her biology class studies evolution, she realizes she may have a hidden curse, an "adaptation." She lives with her mom, step-father, and hard-edged step-brother. She likes Tobey, a guy at school, and he likes her. She takes a pledge to remain chaste until marriage, so they date in groups, watch G-rated films, and don't kiss, but the power of teen hormones is great, so temptation beckons. Dawn has an admirer in Ryan, and when when things have an unexpected twist with Tobey, she turns to Ryan for help. Will he be her mythical hero and rescue her? Or can she find her way as her own hero, turning the curse into an asset?
