I Not Stupid

The events take place in contemporary Singapore, during a school year around Primary 6. It portrays the period's exam-focused culture, tuition routines, and social dynamics that accompany a child’s path to PSLE. The atmosphere mirrors the era’s urban, middle-class pressures and family strain.

The story unfolds in Singapore, primarily centered on Yuzher Primary School and the surrounding urban neighborhoods. It highlights a dense educational environment where tuition culture and academic performance shape daily life. The setting also shows housing instability as families move from more comfortable homes to smaller flats, reflecting broader social pressures.

🎯 Academic Pressure

Exams, tuition, and the race to top scores drive much of the action. Zi Hao’s struggles with English and Science contrast with his strength in Chinese and Math, illustrating how talent alone doesn’t shield a student from demand. Rivalry with Jayden intensifies the sense that achievement determines social standing and future opportunities. A cheating incident exposes the high cost of competitive culture on friendships.

🏠 Family Strain

Zi Hao’s mother navigates a faltering marriage and financial stress, including eviction threats and a lack of support from abroad. The family’s stability erodes as housing tightens and relationships fray, amplifying the pressure on Zi Hao. The drama traces how parental pressures spill over into the classroom and shape a child’s sense of security. The resolution hints at resilience despite upheaval.

🤝 Friendship & Rivalry

Zi Hao and Jayden represent a complex mix of friendship and competition, shaped by external pressures from overbearing guardians. Sophia’s manipulations deepen the rift, showing how adults’ conflicts can distort peer relationships. The classroom becomes a battleground where loyalty is tested by ambition and fear. The arc underscores that support and understanding matter as much as grades.

🌱 Growth & Empathy

Zi Hao’s empathy grows as he witnesses Jayden’s vulnerability and mistreatment, culminating in a selfless act that lowers his own score to help a peer. The film emphasizes that personal growth comes from choosing compassion over winning. It culminates in Jayden’s awakening and his choice to pursue a neighborhood secondary school, illustrating that success is about effort and well-being, not prestige alone.