If your teenager is suddenly deep-diving into Thomasin McKenzie’s filmography, you can officially give yourself a pat on the back: your kid has spectacular taste in actors. McKenzie is a powerhouse of quiet, empathetic intensity. But let’s be real—she’s not exactly making Disney Channel original movies. She specializes in playing young women navigating deeply heavy, often traumatic realities, which means her movies are a masterclass in emotional complexity. Navigating her work with your teens isn't about keeping them away from her films; it's about knowing which ones are beautiful, challenging stories about human connection and which ones are strictly for the older, horror-steeled high school crowd.
TL;DR: Thomasin McKenzie is one of her generation's finest actors, but her projects lean heavily into intense psychological territory. For a brilliant, emotional family watch with younger teens, start with Leave No Trace or the dark historical satire Jojo Rabbit. Save her psychological thrillers like Last Night in Soho and Eileen for older teens who can handle themes of sexual exploitation, mental health crises, and pitch-black noir.
These are the films where McKenzie’s trademark vulnerability shines without dragging the viewer into a psychological horror show. They are heavy, but they are deeply human and offer incredible talking points for families.
This is the movie that put McKenzie on the map, and it is a flat-out masterpiece. She plays Tom, a teenager living off the grid in a public park in Oregon with her father, a military veteran suffering from severe, undiagnosed PTSD. When they are discovered by authorities, they are forced to try and integrate into normal society.
- Why it works: There are no villains here. It’s a quiet, devastatingly beautiful story about love, mental health, and the exact moment a teenager realizes they have to grow in a different direction than their parent. It is rated PG and has virtually no traditional "bad stuff" (no violence, no language, no sexuality), but the emotional weight is massive.
- Best for: Middle schoolers and up. It’s a perfect film for discussing empathy, family dynamics, and mental health.
Taika Waititi’s "anti-hate satire" features McKenzie as Elsa, a young Jewish girl hidden in the attic of a Hitler Youth member's home during WWII. She is fierce, sharp, and the absolute emotional anchor of a movie that could have easily spun out of control.
- Why it works: It uses comedy to disarm the viewer before delivering a profound punch to the gut about the absurdity of prejudice. McKenzie’s Elsa is no victim; she is clever, survival-minded, and commands every scene she’s in.
- Best for: Mature 12-and-ups. Yes, it deals with Nazi Germany, grief, and war violence, but the message is resolutely humanistic.
Once you move past her breakout roles, McKenzie’s filmography gets dark. Fast. These are the films to approach with a bit of strategy, reserving them for older teens who actively enjoy psychological thrillers or horror.
Edgar Wright’s neon-soaked psychological horror stars McKenzie as Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer who moves to London and finds herself mentally projecting into the life of a 1960s lounge singer (played by Anya Taylor-Joy). What starts as a glamorous retro dream quickly devolves into a terrifying nightmare of murder and sexual abuse.
- What to know: This movie is a visual and sonic masterpiece, but it deals heavily with prostitution, non-consensual sexual encounters, and severe mental health spirals. Eloise is haunted by grotesque, decaying male figures, making it a full-blown horror movie in the second half.
- The call: Save this one for high schoolers who can handle intense psychological horror and themes of sexual violence.
Set in 1960s Massachusetts, McKenzie plays the titular Eileen, a miserable young woman working at a juvenile prison who becomes obsessed with a glamorous new counselor (played by Anne Hathaway).
- What to know: It is a pitch-black noir thriller. It starts as a slow character study of isolation and repressed desire and ends with a shocking, violent crime. There are heavy themes of physical and psychological abuse, alcoholism, and a deeply cynical worldview.
- The call: This is a fantastic film for teens who are serious cinephiles and love psychological character studies, but it is too grim and morally ambiguous for a casual family movie night.
M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller about a mysterious beach that makes its visitors age rapidly. McKenzie plays the teenage version of a character who is rapidly growing old.
- What to know: It’s PG-13, high-concept, and honestly a bit goofy (it’s Shyamalan, after all). It has some body horror elements (rapid aging, bones breaking and healing incorrectly), but it's far less psychologically disturbing than Soho or Eileen.
- The call: A fun, slightly weird Friday night watch for teens who like a mystery.
Jane Campion's Oscar-winning neo-Western features McKenzie in a very small supporting role.
- What to know: While McKenzie is barely in it, the film itself is a slow-burn masterpiece of repressed anger, toxic masculinity, and psychological warfare.
- The call: It's a great watch for high schoolers studying cinema, but don't queue it up just for Thomasin—she's only on screen for a few minutes.
One thing to watch out for with Thomasin McKenzie is her look. She has a remarkably youthful, wide-eyed, innocent face, which makes her incredibly effective at playing vulnerable characters. Directors know this, and they use it to their advantage. They cast her specifically to put her through the emotional or psychological wringer.
Do not look at a movie poster, see her sweet face, and assume it’s a cozy indie drama. Whether she’s hiding in an attic from Nazis, living in the damp Oregon woods, or being chased by 1960s ghosts, her characters are almost always in high-stakes, emotionally draining situations. If your kid is sensitive to characters suffering or experiencing intense anxiety, you'll want to pre-screen her darker work.
Q: What is Thomasin McKenzie's most family-friendly movie?
Leave No Trace is by far her most family-friendly film. It is rated PG, contains no offensive content, and is a deeply moving story about a father and daughter. However, it is emotionally heavy, so be prepared for some tears.
Q: Is Last Night in Soho okay for a 14-year-old?
For most 14-year-olds, Last Night in Soho is going to be too intense. The film features heavy themes of sexual exploitation, prostitution, and graphic, ghostly violence. It's better suited for older teens (16+) who already have a handle on the horror genre.
Q: Why is Jojo Rabbit rated PG-13?
Jojo Rabbit is rated PG-13 for strong language, war violence, and mature thematic material. While it is a comedy, it takes place in Nazi Germany, features some bloody injuries, and includes a devastating off-screen death of a major character.
Q: Is Eileen a horror movie?
No, Eileen is not a horror movie, but it is a very dark psychological thriller and neo-noir. It features a grim atmosphere, themes of abuse, and a sudden burst of violence that might shock viewers expecting a standard drama.
If your teen is ready to explore more great cinema, check out our best movies for kids list for curated options across all age groups. For older kids navigating complex themes, dive into our digital guide for high schoolers or our digital guide for middle school.
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