Mouse is a lovingly grounded coming-of-age drama in the vein of Lady Bird

Mouse. // Courtesy IFC Sometimes you watch a movie with details so authentic you know they come from a place of personal experience. That statement accurately describes all of Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan’s films together, but none more so than their latest, Mouse, a coming-of-age drama with such emotional honesty it’s like you could reach out and touch the characters. Set in 2002 in North Little Rock, AR—where O’Sullivan grew up—Mouse follows Minnie (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), the shy best friend of outgoing, popular Callie (Chloe Coleman). They complement each other; Callie anchors the school newscast, while Minnie stands behind the camera directing. During group sleepovers at Callie’s house, they share Callie’s bedroom while the other girls sleep in the den. When a sudden accident takes Callie out of Minnie’s life, Minnie must figure out who she is without her best friend.

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