Barely Lethal

Right now you can watch Barely Lethal in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and in the UK on Amazon Prime Video — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 1,115 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Hailee Steinfeld is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Barely Lethal is worth clearing space for. The jokes in Barely Lethal land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. A 16-year-old international assassin yearning for a "normal" adolescence fakes her own death and enrolls as a senior in a suburban high school. She quickly learns that being popular can be more painful than getting water-boarded. Hailee Steinfeld and Sophie Turner lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2015. The timing in Barely Lethal is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Barely Lethal is a strong candidate. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Hailee Steinfeld is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.