Crush (2022) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Most of the movie takes place at Miller High School, a contemporary American high school with art studios and a competitive track team. Key locations also include CalArts, which serves as Paige's dream destination, along with a house party, a hotel hallway, and the school assembly where reconciliation occurs.

• miller high school
• setting
• locations
• calarts

The movie is set in present day, reflecting modern American high school life. The setting features current youth culture elements like track meets, school assemblies, social media-driven rumors, and art programs that feel contemporary and relatable.

• present day
• contemporary
• time period
• modern setting

Crush explores three core themes: Identity, which follows Paige's journey from secret crush to self-acceptance; Art & Expression, showing how art serves as a voice and catalyst for conflict and resolution; and Relationships, examining how romantic feelings test friendships, loyalty, and lead to forgiveness and collaboration.

• themes
• identity
• art
• relationships
• self-acceptance

Paige Evans is the protagonist, a creative and determined art student at Miller High School who grapples with her feelings for Gabby while trying to clear her name after being wrongly suspected of the KingPun graffiti. Her journey centers on artistic expression and personal growth.

• paige evans
• protagonist
• main character
• artist

Gabriela Campos, known as Gabby, is a popular student at Miller High School whose presence creates complexity in Paige's feelings. She shares moments of tension and tenderness with Paige, including a pivotal kiss, and her actions drive much of the emotional core of the story.

• gabby campos
• gabriela
• love interest
• popular student

AJ Campos is Gabby's younger sister and Paige's track team training partner. She becomes a close ally to Paige, though later revelations reveal she was actually KingPun, the anonymous street artist behind the graffiti mystery that causes tension throughout the school.

• aj campos
• gabby's sister
• track team
• kingpun

Dillon is Paige's friend at Miller High School who helps her investigate the KingPun mystery. He provides support and grounded perspective as rumors swirl around the school, offering both assistance and occasional humor throughout the story.

• dillon
• friend
• supporting character
• investigator

CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) is Paige's dream destination and the driving force behind her final art portfolio. The CalArts application prompt becomes a mirror for her evolving identity, symbolizing her aspirations and the pressure she faces to define herself artistically.

• calarts
• california institute of the arts
• college
• art school
• portfolio

KingPun is a mysterious street artist creating graffiti around Miller High School that sparks conflict and challenges school rules. The mystery of who is behind KingPun drives much of the plot's tension, with Paige initially suspected before the truth about AJ is revealed.

• kingpun
• graffiti
• street art
• mystery
• controversy

AJ is Paige's training partner on the track team and becomes a close ally. Their friendship is tested when Paige discovers AJ was actually KingPun, but ultimately their bond strengthens through reconciliation, collaboration on a communal mural, and honest communication.

• paige and aj
• friendship
• track team
• reconciliation
• mural

The Identity theme follows Paige's journey from guarding her unrequited crush and fearing rumors, toward embracing who she truly is. Her path moves toward self-acceptance as she embraces her art, her desires, and her truth, with the CalArts prompt serving as a mirror for her evolving sense of self.

• identity
• self-acceptance
• personal growth
• self-discovery

Art serves as Paige's voice and emotional pressure valve throughout the movie, shaping her choices and friendships. Her murals and creative vision symbolize resilience and personal expression, while the KingPun graffiti drama demonstrates how street art can spark both conflict and meaningful collaboration.

• art
• expression
• murals
• creativity
• voice