John Green, who has battled OCD his entire life, drew inspiration from his own experiences when writing his 2017 novel, Turtles All the Way Down. He hopes that the upcoming film adaptation of the book will offer support and inspiration to others struggling with mental health issues. Green wanted to depict mental illness in an honest and realistic way, devoid of stigma or romanticization, to show the difficulty of living with chronic mental illness without allowing it to define a person.
Even in the face of struggle and pain, Green believes that hope is the correct response, as it remains a constant presence that must be fought for and earned. The film adaptation of Turtles All the Way Down, set to be released on May 2 on Max, will tell the story of 16-year-old Aza, who battles OCD and anxiety while navigating her feelings for her childhood crush, Davis. The movie aims to capture the true essence of the book, portraying the challenges and triumphs of living with mental illness in a relatable way.
Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker wrote the script for the film, with Hannah Marks serving as the director. Green, as the executive producer, had some say in how Aza’s mental illness is portrayed on screen. He was impressed with Marks’ ability to visually depict OCD in a powerful and thought-provoking manner. The movie will feature some changes from the original story, but one element Green hopes will resonate with viewers is the friendship between Aza and her best friend, Daisy.
Despite the inevitable changes that come with adapting a book to a movie, Green is confident that the heart of the story will still come through in the film. He emphasizes the importance of the friendship between Aza and Daisy, which he describes as a surprise love story that carries both characters through their struggles. Green believes that the film, like the book, will provide a powerful and relatable portrayal of living with mental illness, while also highlighting the importance of friendship and support in overcoming challenges.
As Turtles All the Way Down premieres on Max on May 2, Green is excited for audiences to experience the story in a new medium. He trusts in the team behind the film to bring the characters and themes to life in a meaningful and authentic way. Through Aza’s journey of self-discovery and friendship, Green hopes that viewers will find comfort and inspiration in knowing that they are not alone in their struggles with mental health. He remains committed to promoting awareness and understanding of mental illness through his work and hopes that the film will continue to start important conversations about mental health.
