Middle school. Surely a time no one wants to relive. However, in “Little,” released April 11, that’s exactly what tech startup executive Jordan Sanders played by Regina Hall is forced to do.

In a former life, Sanders was a bullied middle schooler, excited to become “big” and become the boss herself. In the present time, Sanders sends the employees at her tech innovations company scurrying like ants whenever she arrives. No longer the bullied, she became the bully. After a confrontation with a bullied, middle-school girl who casts a spell on her, she is transformed back into a middle schooler again. The movie follows Sander’s and her under-appreciated assistant, April Williams, played by Issa Rae, as they try to hide Sander’s “condition” from others, save the company and reverse the spell.

Featuring a diverse and talented cast, “Little” is held up by the strength of its actresses and actors. Hall characterizes the adult Sanders as a bitter, determined and demanding boss, helping to convey the effect bullying had on young Sanders. Williams’ character is extremely relatable. As a young talent who is struggling to break her way onto the scene, Rae depicts the complex feelings of timidity, but also determination that many young professionals faced. These three actresses are joined on screen by a skilled supporting cast who support, but don’t overshadow, the stars.

The most impressive performance of the movie is from young 14-year-old Marsai Martain, who stars in “Black-ish,” portrays “little” Jordan Sanders perfectly. Most 14 year-olds can barely handle transitioning from middle school to high school, much less acting in a feature film. However, Martain admirably executes this role. Martain easily charms the audience into loving young Jordan Sanders while matching the character and personality of adult Sanders’ perfectly.

As a comedy, “Little” definitely has its strong points. The premise of a young girl acting like a grown lady certainly is comical, especially when she finds herself in more “grown-up” situations. The movie also utilizes classic middle-school jokes such as awkward dance moves and scenes of Sanders being bullied. This juxtaposed with scenes of employees gossiping about their boss and complaining about the food makes the comical comparison of the similarity between middle school and the workplace.

While it’s a classic trope with a predictable, if not cheesy, ending, “Little” fulfills its duties as a light-hearted comedy. It’s definitely worth a watch for anyone in search of a cheery, relatable film that will bring some easy laughs. It may not win an Oscar, but with a diverse cast and a positive theme, “Little” has a lot to bring to the comedy scene.