Recently, The New York Times gathered hundreds of notable names from Hollywood including actors, producers, directors, and more, to compile a list of the 100 best movies of the 21st Century. Among those names was Trammell Tillman, who has become a star as Mr. Milchick on the hit Apple TV+ series Severance.

Thanks to a scene-stealing performance in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Tillman is now making waves on the big screen as well as the small screen. When asked to name his best movies of the 21st Century, he mentioned Oscar winners like Parasite, Chicago, and Moonlight but also had some unexpected selections.

Despite being unexpected, the films he picked are still great. Among those choices were animated classics like Inside Out, the international Oscar nominee Anatomy of a Fall, and the comedy drama Best in Show. However, he picked one great, often overlooked film from 2019 that deserves more love.

Trammel Tillman Named Booksmart One Of The Best Movies Of The 21st Century

It Didn’t Make The Official List But It Is Fantastic

The film from 2019 that Tillman named was Booksmart. The directorial debut of Olivia Wilde, this movie proved to be a critical darling and a modest box office success. The story centers on two girls who go out for one night of fun as high school ends after spending years focused purely on studying.

Booksmart received widespread acclaim, making Wilde a director to watch and holding an outstanding 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The script was sharp, the performances were strong, it received a Golden Globe nomination, and the movie is considered one of the best in the coming-of-age subgenre.

With so many people casting their votes, it took a lot for any movie to make The New York Times’ list. Ultimately, Booksmart didn’t crack the top 100 as it was only named by three people (author Curtis Sittenfeld and director Amy Heckerling also included it). However, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a true highlight of its era.

Booksmart Featured Several Future Breakout Stars

It’s One Of The Most Talented Casts In Recent Memory

While the film is culturally relevant and impressive on its own, it’s the cast that truly shines here. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein (who landed a Golden Globe nomination) are fantastic as the two leads. Dever has broken out in a big way starring as Abby in The Last of Us, as well as in Dopesick, Apple Cider Vinegar, and more.

Feldstein went on to portray Monica Lewinsky in American Crime Story, earning a Satellite Award nomination. However, they’re far from the only future stars in the Booksmart cast. The supporting parts went to several people who are now featuring in big franchises and TV shows.

Billie Lourd steals the show in Booksmart and went on shined in American Horror Story. Mason Gooding had a small role but has become one of the faces of the Scream franchise. Eduardo Franco was a fan favorite in season 4 of Stranger Things and Molly Gordon is a key part of FX’s Emmy winning series The Bear.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg as Jessica Williams, Noah Galvin, Diana Silvers, Skyler Gisondo, and more have all found success as growing stars in the industry. A simple rewatch of Booksmart is a showcase of some of Hollywood’s rising talents.