Words on Bathroom Walls (2020)

Diagnosed with a mental illness halfway through his senior year of high school, a witty, introspective teen struggles to keep it a secret while falling in love with a brilliant classmate who inspires him to not be defined by his condition.

Director:

Thor Freudenthal

Writers:

Nick Naveda (screenplay by), Julia Walton (based on the book by)

Stars:

Charlie Plummer, Andy Garcia, Taylor Russell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlie Plummer	...	Adam
Andy Garcia	...	Father Patrick
Taylor Russell	...	Maya
AnnaSophia Robb	...	Rebecca
Beth Grant	...	Sister Catherine
Devon Bostick	...	Joaquin
Lobo Sebastian	...	Bodyguard
Molly Parker	...	Beth
Walton Goggins	...	Paul
Aaron Dominguez	...	Todd
Reinaldo Faberlle	...	Manuel
Jeris Donovan	...	Woman
Iain Tucker	...	Ahole Teenager
Sean Michael Weber	...	Paramedic
Drew Scheid	...	Ted

Storyline

The story of witty and introspective Adam (Charlie Plummer), who appears to be your typical young adult - a little unkempt with raging hormones and excited about a future pursuing his dream of becoming a chef. Expelled halfway through his senior year following an incident in chemistry class, Adam is diagnosed with a mental illness. Sent to a Catholic academy to finish out his term, Adam has little hope of fitting in and just wants to keep his illness secret until he can enroll in culinary school. But when he meets outspoken and fiercely intelligent Maya (Taylor Russell), there is an instant soulful and comforting connection. As their romance deepens, she inspires him to open his heart and not be defined by his condition. Now, with the love and support of his girlfriend and family, Adam is hopeful for the very first time that he can see the light and triumph over the challenges that lie ahead.

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Plot Keywords:

teenager | based on young adult novel | schizophrenia | hallucination | hospital | 

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Taglines:

If You Can't Trust Your Mind, Trust Your Heart

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

PG-13 for mature thematic content involving mental illness, some sexual references, strong language and smoking

Did You Know?

Trivia

Molly Parker and Taylor Russell play mother and daughter on Lost in Space (2018).

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Goofs

Near the ending of the film, Adam is placed on suicide watch at a mental hospital after attempting suicide. The writers show that the mother is unable to bring toothpicks in for a dish she is bringing to Adam. The room Adam is in, however, has clearly exposed electrical sockets and even an easily breakable ceramic lamp, none of which would be located in the room of someone on suicide watch. Patients generally are kept from electrocuting themselves or cutting themselves on broken glass.

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Connections

References Good Will Hunting (1997)

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Soundtracks

Somebody
Written by Andrew Taggart, Emily Warren (as Emily Warren Schwartz) and Andrew Neely
Performed by The Chainsmokers (feat. Drew Love)
Published by Sony/ATV Allegro, Nice Hair Publishing, Prescription Songs (ASCAP) / Havenwood House (ASCAP)
Administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing (ASCAP) and These Are Songs of Pulse (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Disruptor Records / Columbia Records
Drew Love appears courtesy of Warner Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Records

User Reviews

I drove home in silence

Without relying on an A-list cast or a soundtrack of radio hits, this film left me speechless. After listening to one song I decided to drive the rest of the way home from the theatre with no music. I was left in awe of the way this film made me feel so hopeful. Never in my life as an avid movie-goer have I loved or rooted for a character as much as I did watching this. A definite must-see, this is a film I will be sharing, talking about, and returning to for years to come. I always cry in movies, but this was a new level of crying, in the best way. Thank you to all those involved for the powerful acting performances and gripping plot points that made this movie so important to me.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

Words on Bathroom Walls

Filming Locations:

North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$432,968, 23 August 2020

Gross USA:

$2,542,518

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,073,857

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kick the Habit Productions, LD Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1