Out of My Mind, Disney+’s new movie about a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy, has debuted with a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Amber Sealey, the film stars newcomer Phoebe-Rae Taylor as protagonist Melody Brooks, a teen who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. As Melody is non-verbal and is a Friends super fan, her inner thoughts are narrated by Rachel Green actress Jennifer Aniston.
Also starring Rosemarie DeWitt and Luke Kirby as Melody’s parents Diane and Chuck, Out of My Mind follows the protagonist as she’s encouraged to enrol in a mainstream class at school after educator Dr Katharine (Courtney Taylor) notices her potential.
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Having premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier in the year, the movie is now streaming on Disney+, with critics praising Taylor’s performance and the tonal balance between serious themes and Melody’s quick-witted humour.
“The director, Amber Sealey, and the strong cast keep things grounded, though, honoring the serious undercurrents while having some fun.”
“A sweet, fun, and meaningfully empathetic Disney Plus movie about a 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy.”
“Out of My Mind is a powerful drama film that explores the reality of disability for one young woman and the challenge of being heard without a voice.”
“Rarely does an underdog children’s film hit so many notes so well, but the combination of great source material, an excellent script, and heartrending performances makes this a deeply affecting movie.”
“It is so well-meaning and educationally beneficial that its saccharine material is worth overlooking. Out of My Mind offsets that with a huge heart and a dignified, optimistic, touching performance from Phoebe-Rae Taylor.”
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“The true 2024 heir to the warm and unusually honest Wonder arrives on Disney+ this week in the form of Out of My Mind.”
“It is a peek through a window few people can have access to, and it results in a story that, while a tad predictable and at times saccharine, has a lot to say about the way the American education system treats disabled people and minorities in general.”
“Be patient because brilliance will be revealed and faith will be rewarded by an empathic engine of a film that demands to be required viewing – and maybe even prescribed penance – for several ages and generations of privilege circulating society today.”
“Newcomer Phoebe-Rae Taylor impresses in this poignant coming-of-age drama.”
“We don’t see Melody for her medical condition or any of its obvious associations, because the film gives us the fullness of her mind…”
Out of My Mind is available to stream on Disney+.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
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