In today’s day and age, thanks to our continuously connected world, it is more and more common for kids to catapult to fame and achieve a level of success that was previously not attainable until adulthood.

Take Emma Gonzalez and Malala Yousafzai for example, and their fight for social justice which has cemented their reputations as modern-day heroines. They have become the face of the millennial revolution. Luckily, they seem capable of dealing with the price of fame- both the highs and the lows- but what happens when the pressure of the spotlight is just too much?

In director Shawn Christensen’s drama, The Vanishing of Sidney Hall, he explores this coming-of-age theme through the titular protagonist, Sidney (Logan Lerman), and his unusual way of coping with unexpected success. Sidney begins as a controversial and boundary-pushing high school writer who outshines his peers by a landslide and considers Hunter S. Thompson and David Foster Wallace aspirational heroes. When a teacher takes notice and submits his work to a publishing house, Sidney’s life is forever changed. He falls in love with his next-door neighbor Melody (Elle Fanning), signs a book deal, skyrockets to an international best-seller, and then goes missing.

Fame wasn’t something Sidney wanted, it was just a by-product of the surprising outcome of the success of his page-turning debut novel, Suburban Tragedy. The book, which was based on the death of one of his high school classmates, flies off the shelves, meanwhile, Sidney flies off the handle. He begins having panic attacks and his ego swells to the point that it puts his relationship with Melody at risk. Ultimately he leaves town, but not without burning every copy of Suburban Tragedy he can find. Sidney has become a “somebody,” but all he wants to be now is a “nobody.” His actions seem inspired by Fahrenheit 451 while the reaction to success seems more like Joaquin Phoenix, nonetheless, Sydney’s disappearance piques the interest of an amateur detective (Kyle Chandler) who makes it his mission to find the missing author.

…what happens when the pressure of the spotlight is just too much?

The Vanishing of Sidney Hall is a heavy-handed character drama that deals with a young man’s personal struggle with adult responsibilities. The story itself, while an interesting premise, follows a non-linear structure that feels like the script was dropped and the pages were scattered about, only to be put back out of order. The story weaves in and out of three different timelines, with each one heartbreaking for a variety of reasons. Things take an even darker turn towards the end of the film when rape and sexual assault of a minor are discovered within one of the character’s backstories. For as dark as the film is on the page, however, it is an absolute beauty to watch on screen. Cinematographer Daniel Katz creates breathtaking images of romantic pastel landscapes and vibrant cityscapes that feel as if it’s buzzing with spontaneity and mystery.

The performances from Lerman and Fanning are spellbinding, with extra praise going to Lerman for also being one of the executive producers of the film. Kyle Chandler as the persistent detective brings an eagerness to the story, and Michelle Monaghan as Sidney’s mother strikes all the right emotional chords. The Vanishing of Sidney Hall premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, and while it’s subject matter may weigh heavy, the overall package is an emotionally engaging viewing experience for anyone willing to take the journey.

119 minutes. ‘The Vanishing of Sidney Hall’ is rated R for language and some sexual references. In theaters Friday, March 2nd.