They are two types of people in this world: The people who radiate confidence and naturally excel at life, and the people who hope all those people die in an explosion. That’s the deadpan opening of today’s red band trailer for The Edge of Seventeen, one that places True Grit and Pitch Perfect 2 star Hailee Steinfeld in the role of Nadine, an awkward young woman struggling to make the transition from teenager to adult.
Also starring Woody Harrelson as Nadine’s wonderfully dry head teacher, The Edge of Seventeen represents the feature film debut of writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig, while James L. Brooks is on hand to produce. Coming-of-age dramas are a dime a dozen, of course, but Steinfeld has long proven her leading lady credentials; this, coupled with Craig’s snappy dialog ought to ensure the scribe’s first foray behind the lens is one to keep an eye on. Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner and Kyra Sedgwick round out the cast.
The Edge of Seventeen is slated for theatrical release on September 30.
Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld), who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian (Blake Jenner) starts dating her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy (Hayden Szeto) gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.
The film also stars Kyra Sedgwick as Nadine’s well-meaning but completely ineffective mother, and Woody Harrelson as Nadine’s History teacher, mentor and reluctant sounding board.