The actor, who has recently been in the spotlight again amid her ongoing feud with author J.K. Rowling, has always made it clear that she’s not interested in doing nude or drug-related scenes just to move away from her image as Hermione Granger.
That said, Watson has appeared in several films with more mature themes compared to the Harry Potter series. One of those is a film that’s widely considered a “10/10” classic by fans — and it just hit Netflix on November 4.
The story, written and directed by Chbosky himself, follows a shy high school student named Charlie as he struggles with mental health challenges while forming deep friendships that change his life. It’s a touching coming-of-age tale that continues to resonate with audiences more than a decade after its release.
The film holds an 85 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.9 on IMDb, but its loyal fanbase and cult following suggest that its impact goes far beyond the numbers.
Empire’s Dan Jolin praised the film as well, giving it four stars and noting: “An honest, affection-hooking, coming-of-age drama which proves that there is life beyond Hogwarts for Emma Watson.”
Although Watson received glowing reviews for her performance, fans often teased her for her American accent in the movie. Still, she admitted there was one scene that left her feeling completely mortified every time she thought about it.
She explained in an interview with BBC Radio 1 that she still can’t watch that scene — or even the kissing scene she shares with co-star Logan Lerman. As she put it: “It’s really funny because when I watch the film back, there are a few things I can’t watch.”
Despite feeling awkward about those moments, Watson has often spoken about how deeply she values the message of the film and what it represents. In her view, it’s not just a movie about teenage struggles — it’s a story about empathy, kindness, and self-acceptance.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she shared: “I’m just so proud to have been a part of it, and I honestly think that the world would be a better place if there were more people like [the film’s protagonist] Charlie.”
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is now streaming on Netflix.
