Watch Petting Zoo

Petting Zoo is a powerful and emotional coming-of-age drama that is set against the dramatic backdrop of rural Texas. The movie tells the story of Layla, a young woman who is struggling to come to with the pressures of growing up, the expectations of her family, and the difficult choices that she must make as she moves toward adulthood.

The movie opens with Layla, who is played by Devon Keller, graduating from high school. While her family is proud of her, Layla is unsure of what her future holds. She lives with her mother, who is working hard to keep the family afloat, and her grandmother, who is dealing with her own health problems. Layla's father is absent from her life, and she is left to navigate the challenges of growing up on her own.

Despite her challenges, Layla is determined to make something of herself. She is a talented artist, and she dreams of going to college to study art. However, her family's financial situation makes it difficult for her to pursue her dreams. Instead, she takes a job at a local grocery store to help her family and save some money for college.

As Layla struggles to carve out a path for herself, she meets Danny, a young man who works at the same grocery store. Danny is played by Austin Chatillon-Reed, and he is everything that Layla isn't: confident, outgoing, and successful. Despite their differences, the two become close, and Layla finds solace in Danny's company.

As Layla and Danny's relationship grows, Layla discovers that she is pregnant. The news sends shockwaves through her family, and Layla is forced to make some difficult choices about her future. She must decide whether to keep the baby and risk derailing her plans for college, or terminate the pregnancy and pursue her dreams.

Petting Zoo is a powerful and emotional depiction of the challenges that young people face when coming of age in today's world. The movie explores themes of family, responsibility, and the difficult choices that young people must make as they transition into adulthood.

One of the standout features of Petting Zoo is the quality of its performances. Devon Keller delivers a nuanced and emotionally powerful performance as Layla, capturing the character's vulnerability, strength, and uncertainty. Austin Chatillon-Reed is similarly impressive as Danny, bringing depth and complexity to a role that could have easily felt one-dimensional.

Another standout feature of the film is its visual style. Director Micah Magee brings a palpable sense of atmosphere to the movie, capturing the bleak beauty of rural Texas and infusing the film with a sense of tension and unease.

Overall, Petting Zoo is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that is sure to resonate with audiences. Its themes of hope, determination, and resilience will stay with viewers long after the final credits roll.

Petting Zoo is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.