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This review was made possible by an early screener of Turtles All The Way Down. Turtles All The Way Down premieres on Max on Thursday, May 2nd.
Turtles All the Way Down is a coming-of-age tale rife with mental health themes and a little bit of a love story mixed in. Adopted from the 2017 novel by John Green, the author behind The Fault in Our Stars, this entry continues Green’s exploration of love tested by illness and circumstance. The story follows a teenage girl’s journey through severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, a friend’s betrayal, self-discovery, and experimenting with love for the very first time.
Captivating its audience by offering a glimpse into the mind of someone struggling to understand their own mental health struggles, Isabella Merced delivers an impressive performance as Aza Holmes. Merced truly embodies the battles she is portraying on screen, approaching the role of someone who struggles with OCD from childhood with authenticity.
A high school student, Aza constantly battles her OCD, which manifests through extreme germaphobia, anxiety, and spiraling thoughts. Her best friend, Daisy Ramirez, played by Cree Cicchino, attempts to support her, but Aza struggles to open up fully to anyone. Cicchino shines in this role as the loveable yet supportive friend, and consistent comedic relief. Despite her challenges, Aza finds herself drawn to Davis Pickett, played by Felix Mallard, a boy from her past who comes into her life once again when his high-profile father mysteriously goes missing.
From the moment their eyes meet, you can tell there is a palpable vibe of unresolved romantic energy between them. Aza, who is usually nervous and somewhat standoffish, becomes fizzier and more talkative in Davis’s presence. The film explores their evolving relationship amidst Aza’s resistance to treatment, while attempting to contract a romance with Davis. Merced and Mallard have an undeniable chemistry which lends itself well as a canvas in which to paint the struggle that this presents for Aza. She wants so badly to become romantically involved with Davis, but her resistance to mental health treatment and her crippling OCD prevents her from truly being able to connect with him in a healthy way.
As Davis tries to win Aza’s affection, he reveals his wealth and privilege, leading to tension in their dynamic. Despite his gestures, Aza’s mental health issues persist, culminating in a shocking incident during a trip to Chicago you must see to believe.
Throughout the rest of the film, Aza is constantly at war with herself, often comparing herself and her mental illness as a disease or demon she must exercise. This is especially apparent in the way she distinguishes the relationships in her life. Aza grapples with self-doubt and perceives herself as a burden to those around her. She believes that her mom (Judy Reyes of Devious Maids) doesn’t think she is able to function as a “normal” person, she believes that her friends view her as “crazy” and are burdened by her, and she believes that Davis will eventually get tired of trying to be with someone who cannot show him simple affection.
As Aza navigates betrayals and self-discovery, the film delves into themes of self-acceptance and resilience. Despite the unresolved nature of her relationship with Davis, Turtles All the Way Down offers a poignant commentary on dating with mental illness and the human experience overall. Aza’s journey towards seeking help and finding strength in the face of her struggles is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth.
The acting in the film is pretty decent for this genre. Merced shines, portraying a complex character with many emotional nuances. Cicchino delivers a performance with impeccable comedic timing, and an adorable quirkiness. The film commendably addresses underrepresented issues surrounding mental health, offering a detailed portrayal of OCD and germaphobia that resonates in today’s post Covid-19 pandemic world.
Overall, Turtles All the Way Down is a solid nontraditional romance film, offering an insightful perspective on the human experience and the trials of living with mental illness. In its exploration of love, loss, and psychology, the film emerges as a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant tale. It serves as a poignant commentary on societal perceptions of mental illness and the complexities of the human mind that stays with viewers long after the credits roll, while remaining is a solid book adaptation for John Green fans.
Hey it’s Max Taff! If you liked my thoughts on Turtles All the Way Down, follow me on Twitter @VigilanteVibes for more. Check out my podcast Vigilante Vibes: A Marvel Podcast here.
Turtles All The Way Down premieres on Max on Thursday, May 2nd. Check out the trailer below.
