The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

All Critics (148) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (126) | Rotten (23) | DVD (1)

Perks seems like the work of a much more experienced director, maintaining fidelity to the source material without sacrificing any cinematic qualities, triggering genuine sentimentality and nostalgia through interaction between sound and image.

October 9, 2012 Full Review

Ian Buckwalter

The Atlantic

Top Critic

Regardless of the viewer's proximity to his or her own high school experience, "Perks" seems to get it right, precisely because it's not about a specific time or place.

October 4, 2012 Full Review

John Anderson

Newsday

Top Critic

Watson holds her own with a character more annoying on paper than in reality, but it's the boys who most impress ...

October 2, 2012 Full Review

Guy Lodge

Time Out

Top Critic

It's an earnest indie about a troubled teen, Charlie (Logan Lerman), and his various troubled confederates -- but it does demonstrate that Watson can stand on her own.

September 28, 2012 Full Review

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Top Critic

High school can be hell, but Stephen Chbosky's engaging new film argues that anyone can get by with a little help from their friends.

September 28, 2012 Full Review

Connie Ogle

Miami Herald

Top Critic

Somehow, these imperfections fit. Somehow, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" shouldn't be flawless.

September 28, 2012 Full Review

Amy Biancolli

San Francisco Chronicle

Top Critic

One of the absolute best films about surviving High School ever made.

March 21, 2013 Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

A modern masterpiece...

March 6, 2013 Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of the best coming-of-age stories I've seen in years, thanks to his enduring and truthful script.

February 17, 2013 Full Review

Jeremy Lebens

We Got This Covered

The lauded teen coming-of-age drama lost me in the third act, which takes an unneccessary twist that muddies up what was previously a moving and relatable tale.

February 10, 2013 Full Review

Phil Villarreal

OK! Magazine

The Perks of Being a Wallflower flutters with the excitement and terror that comes in being young and trying to find your way.

February 4, 2013 Full Review

Mark Pfeiffer

Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

Boasts one of 2012's best live-wire performances in the form of Ezra Miller's exuberantly gay high school senior.

December 14, 2012 Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

This profound story of love and friendship is apparently fiction, but it sure comes across with the power of a true story. It seems a lot truer to me than some based-on-fact movies like 'Argo.'

December 10, 2012 Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

While most films about teenage life tend to trade on a nifty hook, and sometimes even a plot, The Perks of Being a Wallflower chimes in as an unusually incisive, character-driven ramble through the inevitable awkwardness of teen life.

December 7, 2012 Full Review

Jim Schembri

3AW

Logan Lerman is outstanding in this well done coming of age tale.

December 6, 2012 Full Review

Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

Rings inauthentic throughout.

December 4, 2012 Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is funny, nostalgic, heartfelt and sweet, and so vivid it will practically make you feel the warm summer wind in your hair.

December 2, 2012 Full Review

Tim Martain

The Mercury

I think for a first film this guy who wrote the book and has adapted it for the screen has done a terrific job and I really found these characters sympathetic.

November 29, 2012 Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Something's missing in this film. It just feels constructed and flat. And I found the casting uninspired as well.

November 29, 2012 Full Review

Margaret Pomeranz

At the Movies (Australia)

Even making allowances for a certain amount of Hollywood gloss, there's something wrong with a film about misfits where everyone is this good-looking and poised.

November 29, 2012 Full Review

Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

A stellar adaptation and a beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale that comes wrapped in all the promise and possibility of adolescence.

November 29, 2012 Full Review

Cara Nash

FILMINK (Australia)

A funny, heartfelt if admittedly formulaic feature that boasts first rate performances and a genuine affection for its characters.

November 28, 2012 Full Review

Tom Clift

Moviedex

Miller and Watson are in their element here, helping to shore up Chbosky's sophomore effort, which is likely to offer a pivotal moment in time for its leads.

November 25, 2012 Full Review

Ed Gibbs

The Sunday Age

Chbosky's adaptation from his semi-autobiographical best selling novel is a zinger of a screenplay, and he directs it with verve and sensitivity. Charlie's journey is beautifully conveyed and it's done without sentimen

November 24, 2012 Full Review

Andrew L. Urban

Urban Cinefile

Funny and sad, involving and moving, this quirkily named film with its mixed cocktail of characters offers more than you expect

November 24, 2012 Full Review

Louise Keller

Urban Cinefile

Humbling experience and despite whatever generation you hark from there is the common ground of having lived through those teenage years and this film revels in those magic moments and the people that help form who we are.

November 24, 2012 Full Review

Cameron Williams

The Popcorn Junkie

• 1. Patrick: You see things. You understand. You're a wallflower.
  – Submitted by Tuyen L (44 days ago)
• 1. Sam: Why do I and everyone I love pick people who treat us like we're nothing?
  2. Charlie: We accept the love we think we deserve
  – Submitted by Mati M (2 months ago)
• 1. Charlie: This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite.
  – Submitted by Mati M (2 months ago)
• 1. Charlie: I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you're listening to that song on that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment, I swear, we are infinite.
  – Submitted by Hriya M (2 months ago)
• 1. Mr. Anderson: We accept the love we think we deserve.
  – Submitted by Eytan D (2 months ago)
• 1. Patrick: I'll tell you Sam, this one is tough. I have received a harmonica, a magnetic poetry set, a book about Harvey Milk, and a mix tape with the song Asleep on it twice. I mean, I have no idea. This collection of presents are so gay that I think I must have given them to myself. Despite that distinct possibility, I'm going to have to go with, drum roll, Charlie! Obviously!
  – Submitted by Lucas M (2 months ago)