Lucia (Jara Sofija Ostan) and Maria (Mina Svajger) – Little Trouble Girls (Source; BFI)

Little Trouble Girls (2025 Montclair Film Summer Showcase) Film Review & Summary

With Little Trouble Girls, those waiting for a more grounded, but still explorational, coming-of-age story featuring girls get their movie.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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“Little Trouble Girls” Film Details

  • Released On: In Theaters
  • Public Release Date: June 28, 2025
  • Director(s): Urska Djukic
  • Writer(s): Urska Djukic, Marina Gumzi
  • Primary Language: Non-English (Slovenia)
  • Genre(s): Drama, Young Adult
  • Rating: Not Rated

Summary

Lucia (Jara Sofija Ostan) is introverted in ways that make her come off as stagnant. But, in her defense, she is raised in a household where lipstick is considered inappropriate for a 16-year-old. So, when Ana-Maria (Mina Svajger), someone far more social and well into her coming-of-age journey, befriends her, Lucia finds herself not playing catch-up but certainly thrust into situations and being asked questions she may not be ready for.

What To Expect In “Little Trouble Girls” (Not Rated) – Content Overview

  • Dialog:
    • Cursing: Once or Twice
  • Violence: Nothing Notable
  • Sexual Content:
    • Nudity: Non-Sexual | Chest/Genitals
    • Sexual Situations: Implied
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Smoking: Yes
    • Could This Make You Cry: No

Links

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

The Choir Music [85/100]

While not a full-on spiritual experience, listening to the nuns in the film, or the choir that Lucia and Ana-Maria are in, there is something peaceful about it. In the chaos of Ana-Maria testing and exposing Lucia to different things, you get this sense that, through the music, Lucia gets to tune out the world, relieve herself of being overly stimulated, and just be. No pushing herself outside her comfort zone, trying to keep Ana-Maria’s friendship, just healing in the moment, which sometimes is an inopportune moment.

Establishing We Don’t All Come Of Age At The Same Time [82/100]

You would think, with how Ana-Maria and her friend group are, in exposing Lucia to what they’ve done and joke about how far behind she is, Lucia would immediately play catch-up, but she doesn’t. In many ways, you see that while curious, she still presents the idea that she knows herself so well, that she doesn’t feel the need to accelerate her journey.

Now, to be fair, faith, how she was raised, that is a factor. However, considering how, for most films, things like that get tossed to the wayside because of peer pressure, rather outright or just that internal questioning of what’s wrong with you and whether you can catch up or be fixed, Little Trouble Girls stands out. Which isn’t to say Lucia doesn’t give in to some temptation, but she isn’t bending over backwards like the lead in Lemonade Blessing to impress Ava-Maria, nor trying to live some kind of double life as we often see.

In a weird way, it shows a level of maturity that doesn’t seem ideal, like Urška Djukić and Maria Bohr were trying to make role models, but honest in such a way that can reaffirm girls, and perhaps boys, who aren’t trying to live up to some by 13, by 16, by 18, before I go to college, check list.

On The Fence

It May Come Off Boring To Some [77/100]

If you’re someone who wants or expects teenagers to be wild, promiscuous, do things they deeply regret, and live for that kind of drama – Little Trouble Girls doesn’t really provide that. Does Ana-Maria experiment with Lucia? Do we see Lucia take things Ana-Maria and her friends talk about and explore what she likes? Yes.

However, it is never in a gratuitous way that could ever feel intended for the viewer. It’s not tantalizing as much as it is two characters exploring something, and you are the awkward friend who is always there to the point no one realizes you are. There is no Euphoria or Thirteen-type rush. The vibe is often chill, almost to the point of seeming anti-what has become the norm and a reminder that, as thrilling, scary, and more these new feelings and experiences can be, that’s not everyone’s experience – and that’s perfectly fine.

Overall

Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

Is Little Trouble Girls for everyone? No. However, if you are someone who prefers a more grounded coming-of-age film and don’t want one that borders on sensationalizing or tantalizing its audience, this could be for you. It’s a quieter film that reminds you not every first need to be seen or treated as a big moment, and sometimes things simply happen, and they can be weird, fun, embarrassing, but not always significant reference points in your or a story.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.