Ben X is a tough watch, but for a teenager who feels like an outsider—or a parent trying to understand one—it's a vital one. It avoids the 'inspirational' cliches of most autism movies, opting instead for a gritty, gamer-inflected realism that feels surprisingly current despite being nearly two decades old.

It’s a Belgian film, so you’re dealing with subtitles, and the pacing is more European drama than Hollywood thriller. But the way it uses video game logic to help Ben survive his reality is brilliant and will resonate with any kid who uses Discord or MMOs as their primary social outlet.