to think 14 is too old to be obsessed with Matilda?

[SamuelsSheep]

Just want to say, I've never said this to her but just asking if 14 seems a bit old to be obsessed with the new Matilda movie? Was watched twice yesterday and it's already back on again this morning?

It is good and I liked it, so I'm not saying it can't be enjoyed by an older audience, but to be obsessed?

Well watching 3 times during the school holidays is hardly 'obsession' territory.

I also thought the the film was quite dark and not really a film for very young kids.

I'm obsessed with Matilda the musical because it's bloody awesome and I'm 42!

You are being weird.

I know it may be difficult to understand repeat watching things. But the OP is quite clear it's the age appropriate factor that's the issue rather than the repetition.

Or are you asking because you think there is something going on like her being neurodivergent?

It is really sad that 14 year olds today would could seen as being weird for liking 'childish' things. I remember having phases of obsessing with Annie and similar in my early teens. It was shared with friends. I would be encouraging innocent interests.

I don’t see a problem. I’m mid forties and have watched the pitch perfect films many times over - it’s comforting to watch something familiar and I love musical films.

Couldn't agree more.

I would delighted if my daughter was obsessed with Matilda. I was a bit like this as a teenager with films like Grease, Annie and the Worst Witch. I knew I was quite old to watch them, but just loved the singing and dancing. I’d have friends that were sneaking in to clubs, doing drugs and getting pregnant so my Mum encouraged all my geekiness.

When I was about 31, I was doing well at work and bought myself a flash Mercedes. I remember pulling up at traffic lights and making eye contact with a very hot man listening to hip-hop music. I was listening to the Annie soundtrack and ‘the sun will come out tomorrow’ was blaring out of my car. We both laughed, I remember thinking I’m so uncool, but I really couldn’t give a fuck. I’m 44 and I still prance round the kitchen to songs from the musicals and my kids have had Matilda on this morning.

My dd's seen the musical "Heathers" upwards of 15 times. I thought that was obsessed until I found that there are people who have seen sit closer to 100.

Perfectly normal (watching "Matilda", not seeing "Heathers" 101 times 😂)

Yabu. It's a great film (or, in particular, has great music) and I am substantially older than 14 and would happily watch it over and over

Yabu. It's a great film (or, in particular, has great music) and I am substantially older than 14 and would happily watch it over and over

You mean there are people who don't watch Muppet Christmas Carol every year without fail? <shakes head in disbelief>

DD2 was somewhat obsessed with Lion King at around 14. I can't remember how long it went on for, for all I know she's still watching it weekly now she's hit 30. I remember thinking at the time it was a less expensive pastime than the endless shopping for clothes which was DD1's preference.

Thinking yes. Doing no. And being interested in things other than boys will mean she is less likely to engage in stuff she is too young for.

Well I just watched the entire Mallory Towers series on Netflix and I'm 50! Also like dark things like You - variety is good. Also have friends who went to watch Annie at the theatre without kids and raved about it. Think about films you've really enjoyed under the guise of 'watching them with the kids'.

Maybe it is a combo of her associating watching things repeatedly with young children and it being a child's film that is worrying her? My teenage ds is a rewatcher, to be honest I'd never experienced it before him and even then I thought it was because he is ND that he does it. I thought people were joking when they said they watched things like Encanto 20 times, I thought it was just an exaggerated way of saying they really liked something

I absolutely loved musicals as a teen and still do. If she doesn't do anything musical as a hobby then it's time for her to learn an instrument before it's too late as many will have started in primary school.

There is also plenty to be involved with in theatre that doesn't involve acting like stage design or stage lighting.

Sorry OP but it sounds like you just aren't a creative person and don't understand creative people.

My 4 year old loves Matilda. As a teen id rewatch things loads.

It's fine - encourage her innocent interests, go to see something similar if you can together.

TBF she was 11 when it filmed. And does still.look/dress incredibly young for 13, at least for public appearances.

For me at that age it was Mean Girls. Once watched it three times in one day.

I still occasionally browse Depop for handbags like the ones the plastics had. I'm nearly 30.

I have a DD of similar age and I'm finding this reassuring as she does go through intense obssessions. I've been fairly sure it's normal but it's nice to have it confirmed!

Whether most 14 year olds wouldn't do this is irrelevant. Watching the film on repeat is fulfilling some need for your daughter. Not all ways of fulfilling needs are healthy but this one is pretty harmless.

Maybe she likes to fantasise about being able to sing / dance like the actors or the storyline has some significance to her or she likes the music. Or maybe she just wants to forget about being an adolescent and revert to childhood for a few hours.

One of mine used to watch films she liked repeatedly, both as a child and a teen.
Even in her 20s she will still rewatch favourite films and series. Hell, I do that too and I like re- reading books I've enjoyed. I notice I'm more likely to do this when I'm feeling low or experiencing a lot of stress.

I find musicals really easy to get obsessive over.

At 14 it was Rocky Horror Picture Show for me.

At varying points in my life, it's been Les Mis, Matilda (stage version, I have the soundtrack), Bugsy Malone, Grease, various Disneys and generally films with cracking soundtracks like Shrek and Billy Elliot.

Fairly normal in my group of friends, too - I'm ND, but they're a mixture of NT and ND.

At 14 I was OBSESSED with Jesus Christ SuperStar. Id rent it from Blockbuster weekly, and watch it at least 3 times before I had to return it.
I am now 40 and when I saw Come From Away for the first time, I got an Apple TV subscription, to watch it on repeat for that whole week of the free trial!

So no, 14 is not too old to be obsessed with a musical (because thats what it is!)

She has now asked to see the stage show, which I'm now honestly encouraging and will definitely try and sort out for a special occasion.

I'm not ignoring what people are saying. I will most likely try and sit and watch one of the rewatches with her and talk about it.

When you put it into perspective with things like drinking and vaping, I am counting my lucky stars. I just felt like it was more about the fact it's for a young audience vs her rewatching stuff she likes.