Turtles All the Way Down Movie Review by the Ent. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch
Movie: Turtles All the Way Down
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Romance
Length: 1 hr. 51 mins.
Age suggested:
Release Date: May 2nd, 2024
Streaming Service: Max (FKA HBO Max)
Warnings: Some Language, Heavy emphasis on OCD and its effects, Death of parent figures, and peril of teenage characters
Turtles All the Way Down Movie Summary
Based on the Beloved John Green Novel, Aza is a teenage girl who struggles with OCD. Her diseases causes her to spiral about her microbiome and how the outside world affects it. This is greatly increase when Davis comes into her life and she has to determine if she is capable of holding a relationship with her condition. On top of this, there is a mystery to be solved as Davis’ father has gone missing!
Turtles All the Way Down Movie Review
So, quick disclaimer: I am a huge John Green fan. I love his books, I love his Youtube channel, and I just generally love him (and his brother). The book this movie was based off genuinely changed the way I view my own mental health and other’s. With that said, I loved this movie and will have a difficult time separating biases here. So, let’s dive
The plot really focuses on the idea of “spiraling” which is effectively when one thought or event causes another slightly worse one and so on until you can’t escape your own mind. At first, Aza’s spiraling is focused on her finger and whether or not it’s clean. When Davis enters the picture, it moves to the idea of “What happens is we kiss?” Although this could potentially have cute undertones, it is shown to not be a frivolous thought, but a genuine concern that Aza cannot contain.
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Ultimately, the movie is a microcosm of what spiraling is like as thoughts start getting worse and worse until the climax of the film. By the end, Aza is confronted with he potentially futures and has to decide how to proceed.
As I mentioned earlier, this story literally affected the way I view mental health as not just a journey, but as an acceptance. The metaphor used from the title “It’s turtles all the Way Down” is really wonderful. The fact is that we want to be the turtle on the bottom (described as out “True Selves”), but we are all of them. This mental shift as well as other powerful moments in this movie is why I think this movie is very impactful and has the possibilities of helping people have a better understanding of mental health in general.
Easily one of the best parts of this movie was Isabel Merced, who plays Aza. She comes off so naturally as a high schooler, but also does an absolutely amazing job at portraying the reality and difficulties of living with a mental disorder. The rest of the cast are also fantastic and really do help to create such a genuinely powerful story.
Favorite Turtles All the Way Down Quotes
Did you know human beings are almost 53% microbial? That means half of the cells that make up your body don’t even belong to you.
So, if you think about it, there is no you. You’re not real. You’re fictional.
Why can’t you have that super observant kind of OCD that makes you an amazing detective?
No one ever says goodbye unless they want to see you again
Why is it so easy for me to talk to you? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because our hearts our broken in the same places.
How can I have a boyfriend if I hate the idea of kissing him?
I just think its messed up. The idea of having to take a pill to become my real self.
You’re imagining the truth self, the self that exists independent of circumstance, as that turtle at the very bottom of the pile, but maybe it’s turtles all the way down. Maybe you’re infinite. And I think your doubts make you more real, not less.
When I get stuck in my thoughts, it’s not just the interesting fish stuff I told you about.
This is not rational. Your now is not your forever!
I want to be a supportive friend. It’s this new thing I’m trying.
And you will never be alone. I promise. Because you will always love and be loved. And love is both is how you become a person and why.
And love, Holmesy, is how you become real.
-Turtles All the Way Down Movie Quotes
Turtles All the Way Down Discussion Questions
Themes to Discuss: Friendship, Mental health, OCD, Romantic relationships, and Trust
- How was your understanding of mental health or OCD affected by this movie?
- Which character did you most identify with and why?
- How were Aza and the other characters different from the beginning to the end of the film?
- How was Aza’s mother “Support” not actually supportive?
- Why did Daisy create Ayala? How does this ultimately affect their relationship?
- Do you think this movie could help anyone in your life have a better understanding of mental health? Would you be willing to watch it with them?
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