Princess Cyd (2017): A Quiet Triumph of Identity, Intimacy, and Self-Discovery in Summer
Director & Writer: Stephen Cone
Starring: Rebecca Spence, Jessie Pinnick, Malic White
Genre: Young Adult / Drama / LGBTQ+
Runtime: 96 minutes
Released: November 2017 (USA)
π¬ Overview
Princess Cyd is a delicately crafted coming-of-age drama that gently explores identity, sexuality, and the generational divide between two women at very different stages of their lives. Directed by indie filmmaker Stephen Cone, this 2017 film doesnβt pull any punchesβit whispers its wisdom through tender performances, creative cinematography, and heartfelt moments of connection.
Set against a mild, sun-drenched Chicago summer, this film reminds us of the beauty in quiet transformation.
π§ Plot Summary
Cyd Loughlin (Jessie Pinnick), a confident and curious 16-year-old, leaves South Carolina to spend the summer with her estranged aunt Miranda Ruth (Rebecca Spence), a respected author and independent intellectual living on the quiet, green streets of Chicago’s suburbs.
At first, their relationship is marked by distanceβCyd is free-spirited, outspoken, and impulsive, while Miranda is philosophical, reserved, and deeply contemplative. But over the course of a warm, gentle summer, they gradually form a bond through conversation, conflict, and mutual growth.
Meanwhile, Cyd begins a flirtation with a local bartender named Katie (Malic White), discovering new layers to her sexuality and identityβand challenging Mirandaβs more rigid worldview.
π± Themes
Princess Cyd is deeply interested in the fluidity of identity, the intersection of body and mind, and the complexity of relationships between womenβnot just romantic, but familial, intellectual, and emotional.
This is a film where characters truly listen to each other, where questions of spirituality, sexuality, trauma, and self-expression are explored not through drama, but through honest dialogue and human moments.
Some of the key themes include:
Sexual awakening and the freedom to explore
Generations and mutual understanding
Healing from grief and trauma
The beauty of loneliness and the courage to connect
β¨ Acting & Directing
Jessie Pinnick shines as Cydβnatural, poised, yet emotionally raw. Her performance feels refreshingly lived-in and unforced.
Rebecca Spence gives a calm, thoughtful performance as Miranda. Her warmth, wisdom, and inner struggles bring quiet depth to the film.
Director Stephen Cone brings a patient, almost literary quality. He avoids clichΓ©s, instead allowing conversations to flow freely and silences to carry meaning.
The result is a film that feels intimate and charming, like reading a novel on a summer porch β one where every page feels personal.
π LGBTQ+ Representation
Princess Cyd stands out for her affirming, non-traumatic portrayal of queerness. Cydβs bisexuality is not met with shame or hostility, but with acceptance, curiosity, and tenderness. Itβs a rare example of a queer film that finds joy in exploration, rather than pain in repression.
π¬ Criticsβ Reviews
The film received rave reviews upon its release:
βA radiant, open-hearted film.β β The New York Times
βGently deceptive and deeply moving.β β The Guardian
βStephen Cone is one of the best-kept secrets of American independent cinema.β β IndieWire
The film has a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising its authenticity and emotional resonance.
π Why You Should See It
You like movies like Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird, or Portrait of a Lady on Fire
You like slow-burn, character-driven dramas with smart writing
Youβre looking for a thoughtful LGBTQ+ story centered on hope, dialogue, and connection
You want a movie that feels like summer: warm, fleeting, and quietly transformative
