No sooner does 11-year-old new girl in school Amy (Fathia Youssouf) spy classmate Angelica (Médina El Aidi-Azouni) busting a few moves in the laundry room than she wants to be part of her clique, an elitist foursome looking to become an internet sensation by auditioning for a local dance contest. It begins with assimilation through imitation, as Amy learns the hard way that an Afro is more difficult to iron than is Angelica’s baby-fine hair. Her initial attempt to make inroads is met with harsh consequences: getting caught spying on a practice session results in a rock to the forehead. Still she perseveres, swiping with envy through the group’s Instagram photos, longing to belong. The kids attend school, and for the most part, have at least one parent at home. But not one adult takes the time to explain to the children the ways of the web. And at some point, it’s a parent’s responsibility to stress that being “liked” shouldn’t entail emulating the manner and style of strippers on the internet. This is a squeam-inducing cautionary fable for parents, not children; the one positive aspect of the wrongful controversy surrounding is that it will further extend the film’s reach. (2020) — Scott Marks
This movie is not currently in theaters.