Unlike its less ambitious 十三么 contemporaries such as Can't Buy Me Love, Heathers and Jawbreaker, 十三么 is a disturbing study of the emotional breakdown of a dysfunctional family. Based on a true story 十三么, it follows Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) as she deals with her father's absence 十三么, her mother's addiction and her inability to fit in to the popular group of girls 十三么.

The movie has a raw energy and doesn't pull any punches. It is an unashamed depiction of adolescence and the devastation that can result from the insatiable lust for drugs, sex and crime.

When straight-A student Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) meets troubled classmate Evie (Nikki Reed), she falls under her spell, and begins a series of destructive behaviors. She turns to drugs and sex, and her life gets more and more dangerous.

As Tracy's life begins to spiral out of control, she reaches out to her mother Melanie (Holly Hunter) for help. She also begins to look for a male role model to fill the void left by her absent father. Ultimately, she finds it with the help of Evie's adolescent boyfriend, Javier (Brady Corbet).

However, when Evie's mother Brooke (Deborah Kara Unger) comes into the picture, things take an even darker turn. The two girls start to get involved in gang activities and crime.

Having already started to drink and smoke, Tracy is now on the brink of using drugs as well. The film takes place in Los Angeles and shows that teen culture can be a toxic one.

While this is a realistic depiction of adolescent life, there are also some lapses in logic that could make it difficult to understand what is happening. There are some moments that seem to jump around and have no expected outcome, such as the scene where Tracy sees her mother with a tough girl who threatens to assault her.

But overall, the film is well made and has a strong message. The actors are all excellent, and the performances are well-written, but there are some minor flaws throughout the film that make it hard to fully enjoy the entire experience.

The screenplay, co-written by Nikki Reed, was loosely based on her own experiences as a teenager. The movie was released in 2003 and received acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of the pitfalls of teenage rebellion.

It is hard not to feel sympathy for the characters of Tracy and Evie as they struggle to survive this turbulent time in their lives. But the film also makes it clear that these kids are just doing what they can to cope with their feelings of hopelessness and emptiness.

There are plenty of opportunities for a frank discussion about the social dynamics between teens and adults, but this dialogue can be difficult to hear. Especially for the parents of these young people, as they may not have the same perspective.

The film ends on a climatic note that reveals that neither of these girls can win. It ends with both of them in need of healing and a new start.