All the Bright Places

All the Bright Places is an American teen-drama romance movie written by Jennifer Niven and Liz Hannah, and distributed by Netflix.

The movie revolves around Violet and Theodore, two teens who meet and change each other's lives for the better. They struggle with the emotional scars of their past, but come together and discover that happiness can be found in the smallest of places. It is based on the novel of the same name by Jennifer Niven, who also co-wrote the movie.

Summary
"Two teens facing personal struggles form a powerful bond as they embark on a cathartic journey chronicling the wonders of Indiana."

- Official Netflix Synopsis

Plot
Theodore Finch is running through a quiet neighbourhood in his home town. He is distracted however, when he notices a girl, Violet Markey, standing on the edge of a bridge looking to jump. He asks what she is doing, however she deflects, telling him to go. Instead, he climbs onto the bridge with her, and begins fooling around; she immediately exclaims for him to stop, however and leave her alone. He holds out his hand, and despite her initial reluctance, she takes it, and the two climb down from the bridge.

The following day at school, Violet in invited to a party by her friend, Amanda, however is distracted when Theodore passes in the hallway, and does not answer. The two give each other a side-glance, however do not interact. The two talk at dinner, but are interrupted when Violet is asked if she is attending the party; she does not reply, however.

Meanwhile, Theodore is in a probation meeting for the large amount of time that he has missed school. Theodore uses the meeting as a place to make jokes, however Mr. Embry warns him that he is in danger of not graduating. Theodore tells Mr. Embry that his grandmother is ill, however Mr. Embry remarks if it is the same grandmother who has died four times already. At dinner, Theodore cannot stop looking at Violet — a feat which is noticed by those he is sitting with at dinner. He asks if he is correct in his thought that her sister died in a car accident, and those he is sitting with confirm.

Later that night, the atmosphere at dinner is awkward for Violet, and her family seldom communicate. Violet is isolated and her farther tells her that if she needs to talk, they are there for her. Despite this, Violet seems distant and upset, and leaves the room hastily. Infatuated by Violet, Theodore — who wishes to go by the name Finch — searches for information about Violet on the internet. He finds numerous news articles reporting that her sister, Eleanor, died in a car accident; Violet was the only survivor. He later goes for a run on the same route as previously, and notices a sign warning drivers to “Drive Safe in memory of Eleanor Markey”; he had missed the sign the previous day when running, and it is simultaneously revealed that Violet is suffering from survivor’s guilt, hence why she was on the bridge looking to jump. Finch is distracted by the ordeal the following day in school, and seems absent when the teacher announces that they will be doing a report on Indiana in pairs. Finch becomes even more distracted when Violet enters the room late, and he asks if the students are free to choose their own pairs; he attempts to talk with Violet after class, however she dismisses him.

At home, Violet expresses to her mother that she doesn’t want to do the project, and asked for a different assignment. Her mother tells her that she needs to stop isolating herself and go out more. Violet is dissatisfied with the response, remarking that it is the same response her teacher gave her. Nevertheless, Violet attends Amanda’s party later that night. She is uncomfortable at the party, however and pours her drink down the sink. When she is approached by Roamer, she remarks that she will leave the party soon; this is amplified when Roamer makes a rude remark about the way she is acting. When walking home from the party, she receives a notification that Finch tagged her in an Instagram post. She looks at the post, and it is a video of Finch singing her a song about how the two met by standing on a ledge — he entices her to talk to him instead of the reckless behaviour. Violet is understandably angry at the post, and calls him demanding he remove the video, too which he obliges. She asks why he would post the video, and Finch tells her that he wants to talk about the bridge scene, asking if the two can hang out.

Finch makes small talk about Googling Violet, questioning the website of Violet and her sister, and that he read some of her stuff. She remarks that she doesn’t write anymore, however. Violet tells Finch that she isn’t suicidal, however he finds it hard to believe, remarking that he saved her life anyway. She tries to convince him that the bridge was nothing, however he refuses to believe her response. Once again, he asks if the two can be partners for the project, however she reveals that her parents are calling her teacher to get her out of the project; she tells him to find another partner. Violet remarks that people call him “the Freak”, and he remarks that he is aware, but doesn’t care. Later the following day, the two cross paths, and Finch asks where she is heading. She tells him that Hudson won’t allow her to skip the class, and agrees to be his partner on one condition: the two find a way to do the project without the use of a car; they both use bikes instead. Eventually, they explore Indiana’s high point and are both disappointed by the experience. Nevertheless, Finch makes a big deal of the situation, however Finch is able to make a joke about the situation. Unannounced, Violet explains that the day he saw her at the bridge was her sister’s birthday and she would’ve been 19; hence why she was at the bridge. The two bury objects to mark their presence at the location. When Violet returns home, she finds her sister’s door ajar, she goes to investigate but finds herself saddened by the experience. Finch, however eats dinner with his sister Kate, who reveals that she is stopping over at a friends that night. His sister asks why he seems different, however Finch dismisses the question.

Finch sends Violet a Victoria Woolf quote over text, and this initiates a back-and-forth conversation in which both send various quotes to one another. It becomes clear that the two are becoming closer, outside of their school project together. She is distracted shortly after, however to find Finch throwing stones at her window. When she looks, he tells her to come down, however she is initially reluctant. The two visit a wall with the quote “Before I die…” written, and both write down something they want to do before they die. Finch asks Victoria about Eleanor, and she reveals some background on her sister, including her likes and dislikes; she further remarks that she was her best friend.

The following day, Violet reveals to her friends that she is doing the project with Finch and, in return, she is warned that he is dangerous. She heads the warning and begins acting weird when she talks with Finch later. This results in Finch being threatened by one of Violet’s friends. Finch later has a meeting with Embry, his guidance counsellor, and expresses his anger that people are always referring to him as a freak. The two talk and Finch eventually makes a joke about Emery’s post-it notes being off-brand. Finch later sleeps on Violet’s lawn, and when she wakes him the following morning, he tells her that he has found a cool location, but it is 160 miles away, meaning they would need to drive. She tells him to have fun, but she will not be getting in the car. He promises not to drive fast, however she tells him not to push her. He is later able to convince her to get into the car, and questions her regularly over if she is feeling okay in the car; she remarks that he should stop asking her, however. On the journey, Violet begins explaining the crash as it happened and that the majority of the accident is blank in her mind. Finch is touched by this and the two hold hands.

Finch and Veronica arrive at their destination, a self-built rollercoaster in mind back garden. Finch rides the rollercoaster, remarking the experience as amazing. Violet rides next and is also amazed at the experience. The two sing to the radio on the journey back, and Finch gives her a map, revealing that he is taking her to a special place. He also hands her a workbook to write in about their journey, remarking that she is the writer and should document their journey. Finch pulls over on the side of the road and kisses Violet, which causes the two to begin making out. They later walk through a field together holding hands.

As times go by, Finch and Violet grow closer. Finch eventually begins pulling away, however and stops coming to class. Concerned, Violet asks Finch if he his okay, and the teacher enters remarking they must present their essays soon. Violet brings this to the attention of Finch’s friends, however they tell her that it is normal for Finch; she refuses to accept this, however.

Finch latter visits her house and is talking to her parents when she comes down the stairs. She is angry at Finch for the lack of communication, and questions where he has been. He takes her outside and shows her a van full of flowers, and she cannot help but smile. He takes Violet to a “bottomless lake”, citing that there is “another world” on the other side. Finch tells Veronica that he is jumping in, however she warns him against it. He is able to convince her to join him, however and the two enjoy a day in the lake. Tensions rise between the two when Violet asks bout Finch’s scar, however and he jumps into the lake telling her he is going in search of the “bottom”. He does not respond for a while, and she believes that he has drowned. He eventually resurfaces and notices that she is angry. She asks where he goes when he disappears, and that she wants to know something real about him. It is revealed that his father used to abuse him, and the scar is the result. The day culminates with the two having sex.

The following morning, Finch and Violet realise that they have fallen asleep. They rush home, and Violet’s parents are angry at Finch, telling him to leave despite his best efforts to explain that it was not Violet’s fault. He later becomes angry at himself and destroyed the sticky notes placed around his room. Violet’s mother tells her that they were worried about her, however Violet tells her that she didn’t have to treat Finch like she did.

Finch paints over his wall, visibly annoyed with himself and the situation, and after a run, sits in his wardrobe to calm down and work through his issues. The following day, Roamer tells Violet that she should be wary of Finch and that he is a freak. Finch is visibly angry at this and becomes hostile, attacking Roamer why everyone watches; Violet is ashamed of Finch’s behaviour and he leaves in shame.

Violet talks with Finches friend about the situation, and he reveals that the behaviour Finch exhibited is usual, and that everyone who gets close to him burns out. She questions why he sticks around, and he reveals that he loves Finch. Given this, Violet visits Finch’s house and is greeted by his sister at the door, who questions if something happened. When she reveals that it did, his sister invites Violet inside. Her sister has to leave for work, but tells Violet to wait for him, and to call her when he is back. When she is gone, Violet explores Finch’s room.

Finch attends a guidance meeting, where it is visibly noticeable that he is nervous. He becomes even more shaken when Amanda walks into the meeting. Finch tells the group that he didn’t feel in control during the fight at school. When it is Amanda’s turn, she tells the group that she has attempted suicide and thinks about it daily. After the meeting, Amanda questions why Finch behaves the way he does, and he reveals that he keeps messing things up, and doesn’t know how to stop. Finch visits his sister at work, revealing that he doesn’t remember his father that well, but everything that he does is bad. He tells her that he is good, however.

When Finch arrives home, he finds Violet in his room waiting for him. She questions the state of his room, and he reveals that he is trying to focus on staying awake, as sometimes everything goes blank; putting the thoughts on his wall allows him to focus. Finch allows his emotions to explode, telling Violet that he doesn’t need her help, and that she doesn’t get it. He tells her that he is “the Freak”, and that he is beyond saving, and asks her to leave.

Violet is upset about the whole ordeal and finds herself at the bridge. She calls Finch, apologising and telling him that she needs him back. She returns home and tells her father about what happened at the bridge. She explains that Finch saved her that day, and that she wishes she knew where he was. Her father tells her that he could’ve gone to one of the places they’ve been, and this prompts her to drive to the lake, despite her fear of driving. She finds Finch’s car, but he is nowhere to be seen. His clothes, however are by the lake which causes her to exclaim his name repeatedly. Finch does not reply, and she believes the worst to have happened. It is revealed that Finch died at the lake. Violet later attends Finch’s funeral along with his family and friends. She finds solace in a glance with Amanda, who was also aware of Finch’s struggles. Violet blames herself for the ordeal, telling her parents that she should’ve been there and that she misses him. Amanda later explains her struggles, and Violet tells her that she would miss her if she were to die. Inspired by Finch’s post-it note obsession, Violet begins sticking post-it notes around her room. She looks through the compose-book Finch had given her, and the map, and visits a remembrance church from the map. In the guest book, she finds Finch had signed his name; this gives her comfort. She decides to tell her and Finch’s story to the class following her experience.

"He taught me that you don’t have to climb a mountain to stand on top of the world. That even the ugliest of places can be beautiful, as long as you take the time to look; that it’s okay to get lost as long as you find your way back."

- Violet talks about Finch

Cast and Characters

 * Elle Fanning as Violet Markey
 * Justice Smith as Theodore Finch
 * Alexandra Shipp as Kate
 * Keegan-Michael Key as Embry
 * Luke Wilson as James
 * Kelli O'Hara as Sheryl
 * Felix Mallard as Roamer
 * Virginia Gardner as Amanda
 * Lamar Johnson as Charlie
 * Sofia Hasmik as Brenda