Photo courtesy of HBO Max
Haley Lu Richardson has added another coming-of-age film to her resume with her newest film. “Unpregnant,” directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg and based on the best-selling novel by Jenni Hendricks and Ted Caplan, was released on Thursday, Sept. 10 on the brand new streaming service HBO Max. Richardson stars alongside Barbie Ferreira, who is best known for her role as Kat in the hit HBO series “Euphoria.” The film follows 17-year-old Veronica Clarke (Richardson), a Type A high school student with her whole Ivy League future planned out, who discovers she is pregnant one day at school. Deciding she wants to get an abortion but unable to do so without her parents’ permission in her home state of Missouri, she enlists the help of her ex-best friend, Bailey Butler (Ferreira), to help her drive to Albuquerque to get one.
The film makes a serious commentary about the sensitive topics of teen pregnancy and abortion while managing to maintain the comedic and lighthearted tone of the narrative. The fact that Veronica has to go through so much trouble just to be able to make her own choice about her own body is heartbreaking, especially because her stance is unwavering throughout the entire film. During a scene when Veronica is screaming at the world because of how frustrated she is by her situation, she asks the question, “Why do you need to get parental consent to have an abortion but not to actually birth a human child?” This line sparks an important dialogue about the accessibility of abortions in general. It also questions the belief held by some leaders and institutions that teenagers are old enough to take care of a child but not old enough to make their own decisions. Goldenberg also chooses to make her film informative, including a scene where a nurse walks Veronica through the procedure and tells her exactly what will occur, something that is usually brushed over in media when dealing with abortion.
These aren’t the only important subjects the film tackles. Bailey also gets the spotlight in a subplot about her sexuality. When the two find themselves at a carnival after their car has been impounded, Bailey reveals to Veronica that she likes girls, and the two have a heart-to-heart that culminates in them screaming “We’re gay and pregnant!” while on a carnival ride. Bailey also gets to experience her first kiss while in a funhouse with Kira (Betty Who), a race-car driver she is introduced to during one of their pit stops. The whole sequence feels so authentic and true to the teenage experience, and it’s impossible to not be charmed by Ferreira’s self-confident and eager but nervous demeanor.
The overarching theme of the film, however, is friendship, and the pair’s chemistry makes it impossible to take your eyes off of them when they are on screen together. From silly handshakes when crossing state lines to arguments about their past, every moment feels so real, making it easy to root for their friendship to be revived. The moment at the end where Veronica stands up to Bailey’s father, who left her and her mother when she was young, and tells him how he is missing out on knowing an amazing girl is heartwarming and shows that the two never truly stopped caring about each other.
“Unpregnant” is available to stream now on HBO Max.
