Words on Bathroom Walls
Words on Bathroom Walls is a 2020 American coming-of-age[3] romantic drama film directed by Thor Freudenthal and written by Nick Naveda, based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton. The film stars Charlie Plummer, Andy García, Taylor Russell, AnnaSophia Robb, Beth Grant, Molly Parker and Walton Goggins.
| Words on Bathroom Walls | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Thor Freudenthal |
| Screenplay by | Nick Naveda |
| Based on | Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Michael Goi |
| Edited by | Peter McNulty |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Roadside Attractions |
Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $9.3 million[1] |
| Box office | $3.1 million[2] |
Words on Bathroom Walls was released on August 21, 2020, by Roadside Attractions.[4][5] It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Plot edit
High school senior Adam Petrazelli experiences a psychotic break at school, accidentally burning someone's arm. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, he first self-treats by intense focus on cooking, which calms him. His symptoms - chiefly hallucinating with three people and a scary deep 'dark' voice - worsen until he is put on a drug trial.
His three regular 'visitors' often come at stressful times: Rebecca (new age hippie), Joaquin (the smutty best friend) and "The Bodyguards" (over-protective and often violent), as well as the deep, 'dark' threatening voice, which represents Adam's fears of the unknown.
Adam is expelled and transferred to St. Agatha's Catholic School. There he meets Maya, a feisty, intelligent girl, who does other students' assignments for money, supposedly to help them. Adam gets Maya to tutor him and finds she helps him feel better, so he takes his new medication regularly. This reduces his visions with only the minor side effect of muscle twitching. He takes Maya out for food, but resists telling her about his condition, fearing she would avoid him.
Maya gets caught by the school faking assignments, but isn't expelled because she is the valedictorian. When she doesn't show to their tutoring session, Adam visits Maya's home. He discovers that her family is struggling financially, and she is embarrassed and angry about his unannounced visit. Once Maya realises he doesn't care, she continues tutoring him. He comes to her part-time job to correct his homework, and she invites him to cook something there as a reward. But, when Maya tastes what he made, it is far too spicy, which shows Adam the medication is negatively affecting his tastebuds.
After experiencing serious visual side effects from the medication during dinner with his mom, Adam stops taking the new pills. At an outdoor screening of Maya's favorite movie, Never Been Kissed, where Rebecca and Joaquin encourage him to express feelings to Maya, the deep voice starts to prey on his insecurity. Adam admits to having insecurity over his mother having another kid with Paul. Then he asks Maya to prom, even though she's against it. She accepts, and they have their first kiss. His work improves so much that his essay is selected to be read at graduation.
When his mother finds out Adam has stopped his medication, she berates him. Sister Catherine is told by his mom and stepdad of this and of the incident at his last school. He is suspended temporarily rather than expulsed, for the students' safety. Adam lashes out at Paul, believing that an email Paul wrote to Sister Catherine the previous night is behind the suspension.
The suspension also means Adam can't go to prom, but he goes anyway. He meets Maya there, but as they dance, the deep voice plagues him while Sister Catherine tries to kick him out. As his vision goes erratic, Adam pushes the nun to the ground, runs to the catwalk, then falls over the edge.
Adam wakes in the hospital to see Beth and Paul. Maya soon shows up, but he breaks down when the visions overwhelm him. He yells at her and tells her leave. He is expelled from St. Agatha's and placed in a psych ward. Father Patrick visits, despite their earlier encounter where Adam was rude. He hadn't been aware of Adam's struggles, Adam apologizes and joins Father Patrick in prayer.
Beth brings Adam a printed copy of the email Paul sent to St. Agatha's. Contrary to what Adam thought, Paul supported his stepson. Paul wrote that suspending him was cruel, and they must show more care for Adam's condition. Realizing how much he cares, Adam runs to catch up with him and Beth, hugging Paul for the first time, showing he accepts him as a fatherly figure.
Beth and Paul take Adam to graduation, where, despite Sister Catherine's attempt to stop him, Father Patrick supports him. The deep-voiced black cloud tries to get Adam, but he gathers the courage to address the student body calmly. He quotes his essay in which he discusses both his condition and battle with schizophrenia, declaring that he now knows that his life will not be defined by his illness. After he leaves the auditorium, Maya runs after him. Adam apologizes for not telling her about his illness, at which point they express their mutual love. Joaquin then encourages Adam to kiss Maya, which he does.
With the voices still pestering him, Adam becomes a good big brother to his half sister and gets accepted into culinary school.
Cast edit
- Charlie Plummer as Adam Petrazelli
- Taylor Russell as Maya Arnez
- Andy García as Father Patrick
- AnnaSophia Robb as Rebecca
- Beth Grant as Sister Catherine
- Devon Bostick as Joaquin
- Lobo Sebastian as The Bodyguard
- Molly Parker as Beth Petrazelli
- Walton Goggins as Paul
- Aaron Dominguez as Todd
- Drew Scheid as Ted
- Reinaldo Faberlle as Manuel
- Ellie Dusek as Saccharine Girl
Production edit
In February 2018, Thor Freudenthal was announced as the film's director, from a screenplay by Nick Naveda, based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton, with LD Entertainment producing.[6] In March 2018, Charlie Plummer and Taylor Russell were set to star in the film.[7] In April 2018, Andy García, Molly Parker, Walton Goggins, AnnaSophia Robb, and Devon Bostick also joined the cast.[8][9] Andrew Hollander and The Chainsmokers composed the film's score,[10] the first time the band has scored a film.[11] The trailer features The Chainsmokers' 2019 single "Push My Luck."[12]
Principal photography began in May 2018.[13] The film was shot in Wilmington, North Carolina.[14]
Release edit
In June 2020, Roadside Attractions acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for an August 7, 2020, release.[15] The release date was later pushed forward a week, with the film newly scheduled for July 31, 2020. The film's official website later removed the release date, with "in theaters this summer" in its place.[16] The trailer premiered on July 15, 2020,[17] and the film was released to theaters on August 21, 2020.[4]
Reception edit
Box office edit
Opening as one of the first new films in wide release during the COVID-19 pandemic, on August 21, 2020, the film made $462,050 from 925 theaters in its first weekend (an average of $499 per venue), finishing third at the box office. 54% of the audience was female, with 62% being between the ages 18–34.[18] The film expanded to 1,395 theaters in its second weekend, and grossed $453,000, then made $282,000 from 1,168 theaters in its third.[19][20]
Critical response edit
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 89% based on 89 reviews, with an average of 7.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Sensitive, well-acted, and solidly directed, Words on Bathroom Walls is an admirable addition to a genre that too rarely does justice to its worthy themes."[21] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 61 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[22] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported 81% of filmgoers gave it a positive score.[18]
Nick Naveda received a nomination for the Best Adapted Screenplay Award from the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films.[23]
Soundtrack album edit
The Words on Bathroom Walls soundtrack album, including the soundtrack and score, was produced by Andrew Hollander featuring the Chainsmokers, and released on August 21, 2020.[24]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Opening Titles" |
|
| 3:37 |
| 2. | "My First Psychotic Break" |
|
| 1:29 |
| 3. | "Quest for a Cure" |
|
| 3:19 |
| 4. | "Fire on the Nun" |
|
| 1:50 |
| 5. | "First Day" |
|
| 0:57 |
| 6. | "Meeting Maya" |
|
| 0:49 |
| 7. | "Competition" |
|
| 1:32 |
| 8. | "Searching for Maya" |
|
| 1:13 |
| 9. | "I Can't Lose It All" |
|
| 2:19 |
| 10. | "No More Pills" |
|
| 1:26 |
| 11. | "First Kiss" |
|
| 1:25 |
| 12. | "Nothing Was Designed to Work" |
|
| 3:28 |
| 13. | "Push My Luck" (by the Chainsmokers) |
|
| 3:01 |
| 14. | "Somebody" (by the Chainsmokers featuring Drew Love) |
| The Chainsmokers | 3:41 |
| 15. | "Prom Hallucinations" |
|
| 1:06 |
| 16. | "If Walls Could Talk" (by the Chainsmokers) |
|
| 1:38 |
| 17. | "Letter" |
|
| 2:36 |
| 18. | "Adam's Speech, Pt. 2" |
|
| 2:29 |
| 19. | "The Kiss" |
|
| 4:12 |
| Total length: | 42:07 | |||
References edit
- ^ "Will the Wilmington film rebound continue in 2019?". Winston-Salem Journal. January 6, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
- ^ "Words on Bathroom Walls (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "'Words on Bathroom Walls' is the new coming-of-age film representing mental illness". Russh. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (July 30, 2020). "LD Entertainment And Roadside Attractions Shift Theatrical Release Date For 'Words On Bathroom Walls', Release First Clip". Deadline. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ Stewart, John (July 15, 2020). "'Words on Bathroom Walls' Adaptation Shares an Official Trailer". The Slanted. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (February 22, 2018). "LD Entertainment Adapting Julia Walton's Book 'Words On Bathroom Walls'; Thor Freudenthal To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 27, 2018). "'Lost in Space' Star Taylor Russell Joins Charlie Plummer in 'Words on the Bathroom Walls' (EXCLUSIVE)". variety.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (May 11, 2018). "Andy Garcia, Walton Goggins, Molly Parker Join Drama 'Words on Bathroom Walls'". variety.com. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 27, 2018). "Alicia Coppola Cast In DC Film 'The Kitchen'; Devon Bostick Joins 'Words On Bathroom Walls'". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers & Andrew Hollander Scoring Thor Freudenthal's Words on Bathroom Walls". FilmMusicReporter. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Stone, Katie (July 15, 2020). "The Chainsmokers Score First Film Soundtrack With 'Words on Bathroom Walls'". edm.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ Meadow, Matthew (July 15, 2020). "The Chainsmokers Feature New Original Music In Movie Coming Out This Month". youredm.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Photos: Words on Bathroom Walls Filming". starnewsonline.com. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ Ingram, Hunter (July 15, 2020). "First trailer for Wilmington-shot 'Words on Bathroom Walls'". Star News Online. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 24, 2020). "'Words On Bathroom Walls': LD Entertainment And Roadside Attractions Set Release Date For Adaptation Of Julia Walton's YA Novel". Deadline. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ "Words on Bathroom Walls". Words On Bathroom Walls Movie.
- ^ "Words on Bathroom Walls Official Trailer". Twitter. wobwmovie. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Anthony D'Alessandro (August 22, 2020). "'Unhinged' Sees Increased Business On Saturday For $4M Opening As Exhibition Turns Lights Back On". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 30, 2020). "'New Mutants' Secures $7M At Weekend Box Office Where Only 62% Of All Cinemas Are Open". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 6, 2020). "'Tenet' Finally Opens Stateside: Warner Bros. Movie Resuscitates Exhibition With $20M+ Over Labor Day Weekend, $150M WW To Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
- ^ "Words on Bathroom Walls (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ "Words on Bathroom Walls Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ "'Portrait of a Lady on Fire,' 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' are big winners at 27th Chlotrudis Awards". AwardsWatch. March 30, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "The Chainsmokers Score First Film Soundtrack with "Words on Bathroom Walls"". July 15, 2020.
External links edit
- Words on Bathroom Walls at IMDb