Netflix's August 2024 offerings are a bit lackluster, but when I looked through the list of new films added to the streaming service this month, "The Spectacular Now" immediately caught my eye.

This 2013 romantic drama is a truly comforting film for me. And the fact that it appeared in the big red streamer is a great opportunity for this film to reach an even wider audience.

I have recommended this film many times over the past decade, and for good reason. I have never heard of it. Then you are quite lucky in my book. I'd even watch this film again.

The Spectacular Now is thoroughly modern (yes, even 11 years after its release), yet intoxicating in its nostalgia, similar to the best 80s coming-of-age films like Say Anything and Sixteen Candles. It's a great romantic drama, and here's why you should watch it now that it's on Netflix...

Sutter Keely (Miles Teller) is a high school senior who thinks he has his life all figured out. He spends his days partying with friends, being the class clown, and relaxing with his girlfriend Cassidy (Brie Larson). But when he is dumped so easily, he finds himself questioning everything he thought he knew about life. His way of coping with this emotional turmoil. Getting drunk.

The next morning, Sutter wakes up extremely hungover and meets a shy, bookish girl named Amy Finecky (Shailene Woodley) on the lawn of a strange house. The two are on paper diametrically opposed, but sparks instantly fly between them, and their personalities seem to complement each other.

As graduation approaches, Sutter and Aimee grow closer and face the reality of life after high school. Sutter's self-destructive nature further tests their relationship, and his strong desire to cling to the past may cost him the chance at a happy future.

As you may have gathered from the synopsis above, The Spectacular Now has a fairly predictable storyline. The exploration of young love and the various challenges of navigating the awkwardness of adolescence is not exactly unique.

So why do I adore this charming indie film so much? It's mainly because of the oozing chemistry between stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley. They light up the screen and are given great material, both individually and as a duo. The themes may be far removed from the source material, but the film presents them in a seriously impactful way.

"The Spectacular Now" will fascinate anyone who enjoys John Hughes' films and feels like a modern interpretation of the legendary filmmaker's work. It is meant as a tribute to director James Ponsoldt. The Spectacular Now has the same youthful energy as Hughes' best work, and the same ability to make the viewer feel relaxed.

Also, nostalgia types will really get a kick out of this film and will be reminded of their own high school days. For me, "Speculator Now" hit at the perfect time: 2013 was the year I graduated from high school, so when I saw the film for the first time, it was very easy to identify myself with the characters; more than a decade later, the nostalgic elements of the film still leave a strong impression Even now, more than a decade later, the nostalgic element of the film still leaves a strong impression.

You don't have to take my word for it that The Spectacular Now is worth streaming. The film holds an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and while the audience score is not quite as high at 76%, it is still solid, suggesting that I am not alone in my praise.

The critical consensus on the review aggregation site states that "The Spectacular Now is a clever and subtle film that avoids the typical coming-of-age story traps," and while I'm not entirely convinced that it avoids all the usual clichés of the genre, its subtlety really is a strong point I agree that it is.

So if you're looking for a charming movie to watch on Netflix this week, "The Spectacular Now" should be at the top of your watch list. The entire film is supremely enjoyable, heart-filling, and may even bring you to tears. Watch it now and thank me later.

Not sure "The Spectacular Now" is up to your speed, so here are Netflix's new releases of the month, as well as Netflix's No. 1 movies this year (spoiler alert: a bunch of bad ones took the No. 1 spot).

Watch "The Spectacular Now" on Netflix now.