Overview
A poignant exploration of love and mental health during the tumultuous high school years.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- sincere
- candid
- comforting
- quiet evening
- teen movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film sensitive, well-acted, and solidly directed, praising its empathetic treatment of schizophrenia within an accessible teen romance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Adam navigates expulsion, a new school, romance, family relationships, and hopes for culinary school while resisting being reduced to his diagnosis.
The story treats Adam's schizophrenia as an ongoing condition affecting him and those around him, rather than demonizing it or using it as a horror device.
Adam's voices and hallucinations are presented as part of the audience's access to his experience, including recurring figures associated with his illness.
Maya's intelligence, candor, and affection encourage Adam to disclose his condition and confront his fear of being defined by it.
Films like Words on Bathroom Walls, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
empathetic teen coming-of-age drama combining romance, family support, and emotional struggles
The Fault in Our Stars
young adult romance centered on illness, vulnerability, and supportive relationships
It's Kind of a Funny Story
sensitive adolescent drama about mental illness, stigma, and an emerging relationship
The Spectacular Now
romantic coming-of-age story where connection helps a troubled young person face isolation and uncertainty
Movie Details
- Director
- Thor Freudenthal
- Release Date
- 2020-08-21
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (671)
Cast
- Charlie Plummer
- Molly Parker
- Walton Goggins
- Andy Garcia
- Taylor Russell
- AnnaSophia Robb
- Beth Grant
- Devon Bostick
- Lobo Sebastian
- Aaron Dominguez
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Words on Bathroom Walls about?
- A hopeful teen romance follows a gifted aspiring chef learning to live openly with schizophrenia while finding connection at a new school.
- What is Words on Bathroom Walls like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Words on Bathroom Walls as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Words on Bathroom Walls violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Words on Bathroom Walls as mild.
- What did critics think of Words on Bathroom Walls?
- Critics broadly found the film sensitive, well-acted, and solidly directed, praising its empathetic treatment of schizophrenia within an accessible teen romance.
- Which films are like Words on Bathroom Walls?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Fault in Our Stars, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and The Spectacular Now.
- How long is Words on Bathroom Walls?
- Words on Bathroom Walls runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Words on Bathroom Walls?
- In United States, Words on Bathroom Walls streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
