Try Harder!

The film focuses primarily on academic achievement and ethnic identity. There is no explicit mention of queer narratives or characters within the social hierarchies presented.

The documentary highlights the complex lives of students within high-pressure academic environments. It presents students as multifaceted individuals influenced by systemic pressures, avoiding simplistic gender stereotypes.

The film centers the Asian American experience as its main focus, offering high ability to act to characters within their own cultural context. It challenges Anglo-centric narratives by providing a rich, diverse portrayal of Asian American students.

The narrative examines the impact of the American meritocracy and the intense pressure surrounding college admissions. It portrays the pursuit of success as a source of significant systemic stress.

The film addresses the mental health impacts of high-pressure environments but does not focus specifically on physical disabilities or neurodivergent conditions as primary narrative elements.