Little - Film Review

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Little (2019) is a comedy film directed by Tina Gordon and produced by Will Packer, featuring a star-studded cast including Regina Hall, Issa Rae, and Marsai Martin. The film follows the story of Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall), a successful but ruthless tech mogul who is magically transformed into her 13-year-old self (Marsai Martin). With the help of her overworked assistant April (Issa Rae), Jordan must navigate life as a middle schooler while learning valuable lessons about kindness, vulnerability, and personal growth.

The film is a modern twist on the body-swap genre, incorporating themes of power, childhood trauma, second chances, and female empowerment.

The film opens with young Jordan Sanders (Martin), an intelligent but nerdy middle school student who is constantly bullied for being a "weird science kid." After one particularly humiliating encounter, Jordan makes a vow: when she grows up, she will become powerful enough that no one can ever hurt her again.

Fast forward to the present, and Jordan Sanders (Hall) is now a highly successful tech entrepreneur, running her own company. However, she has become a tyrannical boss, treating her employees—especially her assistant April (Rae)—with cruelty and impatience. Jordan’s life revolves around power, control, and material success, but she has alienated everyone around her in the process.

Jordan’s harsh demeanour catches up with her when she insults a young girl performing a magic trick. The girl, offended by Jordan’s arrogance, wishes that Jordan could be "little" again—and the next morning, Jordan wakes up as her 13-year-old self.

Now trapped in a child’s body but with an adult’s mind, Jordan is forced to rely on April, her assistant, to help her figure out how to reverse the transformation. However, because Jordan is now physically a child, she is unable to run her company and is instead sent back to middle school.

Returning to school, Jordan is confronted with the same bullying and social struggles she faced as a child. However, this time, she has a different perspective—she realizes how cruel she has become as an adult and starts to understand the importance of kindness, friendship, and vulnerability.

Meanwhile, April, who has always lived in Jordan’s shadow, is given an opportunity to step up as a leader at the company. As Jordan learns to embrace her younger self, April gains the confidence to assert herself in the corporate world.

Jordan eventually realizes that her transformation was not just a magical accident—it was a lesson. She learns that power and success do not have to come at the expense of kindness and that she can be strong without being cruel.

By the end of the film, Jordan returns to her adult self, but she is no longer the same person. She apologizes to her employees, treats April with respect, and even changes the culture of her company to be more inclusive and collaborative.

One of the central themes of Little is the relationship between power and kindness. Young Jordan was powerless and bullied, which led her to believe that success required dominance and control. However, her transformation forces her to relearn the importance of empathy and human connection. The film critiques the idea that power must come at the expense of others, showing that true leadership involves lifting people up rather than tearing them down.

Jordan’s transformation serves as a second chance to confront her past and make different choices. Many people wish they could go back and do things differently, and Little explores this idea in a comedic yet meaningful way.

Through her journey, Jordan learns that the walls she built to protect herself were also isolating her. Her second chance allows her to heal her childhood wounds and break free from the cycle of fear and cruelty.



The film places strong, independent women at its centre, highlighting the different ways women navigate power and success.

Jordan (Regina Hall/Marsai Martin) starts as a powerful but lonely woman and learns that true strength comes from collaboration and kindness.

April (Issa Rae) starts as a timid assistant but grows into a confident leader who takes charge of her own destiny.

Their relationship evolves from boss/assistant to genuine friendship, showcasing the power of women supporting each other rather than competing.

The film also explores the lasting impact of childhood bullying. Young Jordan was bullied so harshly that she built her entire adult identity around never being weak again. This highlights how early experiences shape our personalities and coping mechanisms.

However, Little also shows that healing is possible—Jordan’s journey proves that we can break free from the past and redefine ourselves.

Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall/Marsai Martin): Jordan is a complex character—while she is successful and confident, she is also deeply insecure. Her childhood trauma turned her into a hardened, controlling adult, but her transformation allows her to rediscover her softer, more authentic self.

Marsai Martin’s performance as young Jordan is a highlight of the film. She perfectly captures the essence of an adult trapped in a child’s body, delivering a performance that is both hilarious and emotionally resonant.

April Williams (Issa Rae): April is Jordan’s overworked assistant, constantly belittled and underestimated. However, when Jordan is transformed, April is forced to step up—and she discovers that she is more capable than she ever realized. Her journey from timid employee to confident leader is inspiring, and Issa Rae’s comedic timing makes her one of the film’s most enjoyable characters.

Connor (Mikey Day): A goofy tech investor who represents the worst aspects of start-up culture. His presence adds humour but also highlights the superficiality of the tech industry.

Stevie (Marley Taylor) and the Middle School Bullies: They represent the cycle of bullying, showing how childhood experiences shape our adult selves.

The film uses bright, colourful visuals to contrast Jordan’s cold, corporate world with the warmth of childhood experiences. Jordan’s wardrobe also changes—her adult self wears sharp, structured suits, while her younger self is dressed in fun, playful outfits, reflecting her character’s internal transformation.

Little balances physical comedy, witty dialogue, and situational humour. Marsai Martin’s performance is especially notable - her portrayal of an adult in a child’s body leads to hilarious yet insightful moments. Issa Rae’s comedic timing also adds charm and relatability, making her character one of the film’s strongest assets.

Little is one of the few mainstream comedies led by Black women, making it a significant film in terms of representation. Marsai Martin, who also served as an executive producer, became the youngest person in Hollywood history to produce a film. The film’s focus on successful Black women in tech, business, and leadership is empowering and refreshing, breaking away from traditional Hollywood stereotypes.

Little received mixed reviews from critics—some praised its humour and performances, while others felt the plot was predictable. However, audiences generally enjoyed the film, especially for its feel-good message, strong performances, and representation.

Little is a fun, uplifting comedy with a powerful message about personal growth, kindness, and female empowerment. While it follows a familiar body-swap formula, its unique perspective, strong performances, and cultural significance make it stand out.

With hilarious moments, heartfelt lessons, and an empowering message, Little reminds us that we don’t have to be mean to be strong—and that sometimes, growing up means rediscovering the joy of being a kid.

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