All the Bright Places, based on Jennifer Niven’s novel, is a very touching story and explores many emotions such as love, loss, and the challenges of mental health. 

This Netflix original movie follows the story of two teenagers in Indiana. Violet Markey (Elle Fanning), who is grieving the loss of her sister and Theodore Finch (Justice Smith), who struggles with his own mental health. After being partnered for a school project, they explore “the wonders” of Indiana. Violet starts to have more joy in life as they explore. Their assignment starts to become more than a school project. The movie shows the importance of healing, friendship, and how one person can change someone’s life. 

Elle Fanning delivers a great performance as Violet showing her quiet pain and finding joy in life as the project goes on. Fanning’s body language and facial expressions really bring Violet Marky’s character to life. Her acting makes Violet’s emotional journey feel authentic and relatable.

Justice Smith was the only person they could have picked to play Finch. He balances Finch’s quirky personality and deep mental health struggles amazingly. His ability to switch between joy and sadness makes Finch one of the best characters in the film. 

Finch and Violet explore many wonders of Indiana like the shoe tree and the blue flash roller coaster. My favorite wonder they explore is called The Blue Hole. It is a natural swimming spot, essentially a deep, clear pond or small lake surrounded by trees and cliffs. I love this one because it plays a major role in the film. It is the place where Violet and Finch connect and reflect. It represents freedom and a place to escape from the world. 

I discovered this book through a YouTube recommendation. I love books where they show characters’ points of view instead of chapters. The movie shows both Finch’s and Violet’s points of view in nearly every scene, allowing the audience to feel their emotions and perspectives equally. 

All the Bright Places is primarily aimed at teens and young adults. It also appeals to viewers interested in themes of grief, mental health, and personal growth. While it is aimed towards a younger audience, its message can relate to viewers of all ages. 

All the Bright Places is one of my favorites. Whether the book or the movie, I will never get bored with it. It is one of the most relatable young adult books and movies. This film shows all the wonders of Indiana, whether the shoe tree or the blue hole, every wonder is amazing. Every scene in this movie will keep your eyes on the screen to see what happens next. I rate this movie 5 RedHawks.