MILE END KICKS
Starring: Barbie Ferreira, Devon Bostick, Juliette Gariépy, Stanley Simons, Isaiah Lehtinen, and Robert Naylor
Director: Chandler Levack
NICK
Director Chandler Levack earned tons of recognition from her film I Like Movies, and much of the same directorial qualities are present in Mile End Kicks. It’s another grounded, indie story that is unabashedly Canadian and features an unlikeable protagonist (Grace played by Barbie Ferreira). This seems to be Levack's wheelhouse. Kicks covers all the difficulties of young love. Be it the hypnotism, the bad decisions, the blindness, the manipulation, and of course, the sex. I was increasingly frustrated with Grace's decision-making, but then again, that’s quite authentic to life in your early twenties. Mark Kicks as another lived-in film to add to Levack’s filmography.
QUENTIN
I’m learning that most coming-of-age movies aren’t for me anymore. Whether that’s because I’m too far removed from my own experiences, or I simply don’t relate to those of younger generations, I’m not always sure. With Mile End Kicks, it’s definitely the latter. My memories of being young, dumb, and in love (or lust) as an American guy whose 20s started in 2001 simply don’t mirror those of a Canadian girl whose 20s seem to start around 2011. I’m too separated from Grace (a terrific Barbie Ferreira) for this story to resonate, which mostly just left me frustrated by her bad decisions (the closing scene, especially).
AMARÚ
Mile End Kicks is a confusing and interesting film led by Barbie Ferreira’s just as confusing and interesting Grace. Her tenacity at the film’s fringes intrigues you, making the frustrating decisions she makes more of a layered character flaw than an inconsistent one. Kicks does well examining individual insecurities that hamper your better impulses. Yet and still, the ebbs and flows the film makes, between empowering and enraging, have you blankly staring at it, threatening to cut it off but wanting and hoping the characters figure their shit out. I guess that’s its charm… its somehow very annoying charm.
PAIGE
Mile End Kicks is a frustrating, but also charming coming-of-age film that feels familiar yet fresh and lived-in. Its story of self discovery and navigating the 2010s indie rock scene is anchored by a strong and angsty performance from Barbie Ferreira. The supporting cast is another highlight as they add a layer of authenticity to the film. However, the movie is a touch too long with a nearly two-hour runtime. It begins to overstay its welcome and drags in spots. As a result of this, the story can feel a bit thin, lacking the ambition needed to truly stand out.
ADRIANO
There’s a coming-of-age quality to Mile End Kicks that writer/director Chandler Levack was able to pull off in I Like Movies as well, but it's less compelling this time. Where her previous film used the lead's unlikability to show growth, this one accurately portrays the stress of being in your early 20s, whether it be financial troubles or fixation on bad impulses, but never to the point of emotional catharsis, at least not to the degree Levack’s aiming for. Nontheless, its slice-of-life nature and focus on the Montreal music scene is enough to latch onto for its runtime.
This film was reviewed by Nick and Quentin as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2025 International FilmFestival Mannheim-Heidelberg, respectively.