🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Brett Haley
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Young Adult
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 47min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (41K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two teens, one afraid of cars and the other obsessed with dying, road trip to obscure Indiana landmarks until one of them just… dips, leaving the other to write poetry about it.
🍿 All the Bright Places: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Meeting on the Ledge
Violet Markey, grieving the recent loss of her sister, contemplates jumping from the school’s bell tower. Theodore Finch, known for his eccentric behavior, finds her there and talks her down. This initial encounter sparks an unlikely connection between them.

The ‘Wander Indiana’ Project
Assigned a project to ‘Wander Indiana’ and explore hidden gems, Violet and Finch partner up. This forces Violet to confront her fears, including her reluctance to travel by car since her sister’s death. As they explore various locations, they begin to open up to each other about their personal struggles and vulnerabilities.

Growing Closer, Facing Demons
Violet and Finch’s bond deepens as they share intimate moments and experiences. They support each other through their respective battles with grief and mental health. However, Finch’s own struggles become increasingly apparent, marked by mood swings and erratic behavior.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Violet Markey (Elle Fanning): A young woman struggling with grief and trauma after her sister’s death, who finds solace and healing through her relationship with Finch.
- Finch (Justice Smith): A charismatic but troubled young man with mental health issues, who impacts Violet’s life profoundly while battling his own demons.
- Kate (Alexandra Shipp): Violet’s close friend who provides support and understanding as Violet navigates her grief and new relationship.
- Sheryl (Kelli O’Hara): Violet’s caring mother, who is trying to help her daughter cope with loss and move forward.
- James (Luke Wilson): Violet’s father, who shares the burden of grief with his wife while trying to support his daughter.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Violet Markey: “I wasn’t worried about what would happen if I lived. I was worried about what would happen if I didn’t.” – Violet reflects on her initial reluctance to move forward after her sister’s death and her fear of embracing life.
- Finch: “You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.” – Finch expresses his admiration for Violet, highlighting her complexity and inner strength.
- Finch: “Before I met you, I never wanted to die.” – Finch reveals the profound impact Violet has had on his life, giving him a reason to live.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 All the Bright Places Reviews
Personal Review
As someone who’s dealt with similar struggles, I found ‘All the Bright Places’ to be incredibly resonant. The performances by Elle Fanning and Justice Smith are raw and honest, making their characters feel real and relatable. The film doesn’t shy away from the difficult realities of mental illness, and while the ending is heartbreaking, it also feels authentic. It made me cry but in a cathartic way. I highly recommend it, but with caution for those sensitive to the themes.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of young adult romance dramas”
- “Viewers interested in stories about mental health”
- “Those who enjoy character-driven narratives”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Suicide”
- “Depression”
- “Grief”
- “Mental health struggles”
- “Teen relationships”
- “Some strong language”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “A thoughtful and well-acted teen drama that tackles serious issues like depression and grief. However, the film’s ending may be triggering for some viewers.
- RogerEbert.com: “Despite strong performances from Fanning and Smith, the film struggles to fully capture the nuances of its source material, resulting in a somewhat superficial exploration of mental illness.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “A sensitive and moving adaptation of Jennifer Niven’s novel, anchored by compelling performances from Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. The film delicately handles themes of grief, depression, and suicide, offering a nuanced portrayal of mental health struggles in young adults.
Audience Reactions
The chemistry between Elle Fanning and Justice Smith was amazing!: Viewers praised the realistic portrayal of mental health and the emotional connection to the characters.
The soundtrack was beautiful and perfectly captured the mood of the movie.: Many appreciated the film’s sensitive handling of difficult topics and its message of hope amidst darkness.
Overall Consensus: A moving but potentially triggering teen drama that explores mental illness and grief with sensitivity and strong performances, but struggles to fully capture the depth of its source material.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Jennifer Niven, who was inspired to write the book by her personal experiences with a loved one who had bipolar disorder.”
- “Filming took place in Cleveland, Ohio.”
- “The movie aims to highlight mental health issues and the impact of trauma on young adults.”
🖥️ How to Watch All the Bright Places?
All the Bright Places is a Netflix original movie, readily available for streaming on the platform with a Netflix subscription. Currently, it is not available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV. Check your local Netflix availability as content may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed All the Bright Places, you might like these similar films:
- The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Deals with similar themes of young love amidst serious illness and emotional challenges.
- Me Before You (2016): Explores the complexities of life, love, and difficult choices in the face of adversity and mental struggles.
- Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): Focuses on teenage characters grappling with mental health, trauma, and finding connection through friendship.
- Words on Bathroom Walls (2020): Narrates the story about mental health problems in a very realistic way.
🛒 All the Bright Places Related Products
- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven: The original novel that inspired the movie, delve deeper into Violet and Finch’s story with added scenes and thoughts. A bestseller that explores mental health and love.
- All the Bright Places [Blu-ray]: Own ‘All the Bright Places’ on Blu-ray and relive the moving moments between Violet and Finch. Special Features contains behind-the-scenes content.
- Mental Health Awareness Bracelet: Show your support for mental health awareness with this bracelet. Wearing it reminds you that you are not alone.
- Poster – All the Bright Places: Showcase a key scene from the movie with this high-quality poster.
🎧 Soundtrack
All the Bright Places features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Where Do You Go? (Yumi Zouma Remix)” – performed by Claire George
- “February 2017” – performed by Perfume Genius
- “Hello” – performed by Poe
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
It’s a story about two teenagers, Violet and Finch, who meet and change each other’s lives forever as they grapple with grief, mental health issues, and finding beauty in the everyday.
Yes, it is based on the young adult novel of the same name by Jennifer Niven.
It is a Netflix original movie and is available for streaming on Netflix.
The movie explores themes of depression, grief, and bipolar disorder, showcasing the impact these conditions can have on individuals and their relationships.
🔥 Bonus Content
Blue Flash Clone POV
Ever wondered what it was like to ride the Blue Flash from ‘All The Bright Places’? Check out this POV footage of the actual coaster they built for the movie – it’s pretty cool!
Every Act Of Kindness Counts ❤️
Need a little pick-me-up? This video uses snippets from ‘All The Bright Places’ to remind us that every act of kindness matters. It’s a quick watch and super inspiring, trust me!
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