K-12

For the sequel to her 2015 musical and visual album Cry Baby, the singer-songwriter lets her creative vision unfurl over the course of a 92-minute feature film. She brings us up to speed with the title character, Cry Baby, now in her teens, navigating a pastel-colored world of mean kids and drugged-up school authorities. Martinez (who wrote, directed, styled, edited, and performed in the lead role) creates a contemporary tale of self-acceptance with wigged-out visual style. The pop-driven narrative has matured along with Cry Baby, approaching topics like bulimia (“Orange Juice”), self-worth (“Strawberry Shortcake,” “Show & Tell”), and social pressures (“Lunchbox Friends”) with sensitivity and humanity. Watch the stunning film, hear the album, then pick up your jaw.