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Kiss and Cry (2017) movie poster

Plot Summary

Kiss and Cry (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 95 mins · English
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Directed by
Sean Cisterna
Starring
Sergio Di Zio, Naomi Snieckus, Luke Bilyk, Sarah Fisher, Denis Akiyama, Zoë Belkin

This romantic drama tells the story of Carley Allison, an 18-year-old figure skater and singer whose life takes an unexpected turn. She faces a rare and challenging medical journey when diagnosed with a sarcoma, a condition with odds of just 1 in 3.5 billion. The film explores her fight and the impact it has on her dreams and relationships.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Kiss and Cry: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Kiss and Cry (2017) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Carley Allison Sarah Fisher is a 17-year-old competitive figure skater in Toronto who lives by a motto that shaped her outlook: “always smile” or “find a reason to be happy.” She seems to have it all: she’s working toward a spot on Canada’s national team, she loves singing, and she treasures her family and friends. At a party, she meets John Servinis Luke Bilyk, a kind and supportive classmate from biology, and their connection feels real from the start.

But life takes a sharp turn when Carley begins to feel sick and struggles for air, a problem initially chalked up to asthma. The inhaler doesn’t help, and after a series of medical tests, she collapses on a date with John. In the hospital, doctors reveal a rare cancerous tumor (melanoma) outside her trachea. Faced with a daunting diagnosis, Carley undergoes tracheal surgery followed by weeks of chemotherapy, determined to beat the illness and keep moving forward.

Throughout it all, Carley Allison Sarah Fisher's spirit stays resilient. She confronts this setback with unwavering optimism, often balancing gravity with humor. She embodies the mindset to face hardship head-on, even joking about the challenging moments and the body changes that come with treatment. > "this little setback in my life"

Her family stands beside her, offering love and levity as they navigate difficult days. Her father Mark Allison Sergio Di Zio and her mother May Allison Chantal Kreviazuk are steady presences, turning moments of fear into opportunities for connection and warmth. As John helps at home—staying over to cook and support—he makes a declaration of love, and the couple faces the rollercoaster of illness together, drawing strength from each other.

The battle takes another toll when Carley loses a lock of hair during chemotherapy, a poignant reminder of what she’s enduring. She documents the journey in a bald vlog, and soon after, John surprises her with a prom invitation delivered outside her window, accompanied by a drum set. They return to the rink so she can teach him to skate, and in the midst of this moment, she encounters two former skating teammates and receives encouragement, including a supportive message from Selena Gomez on social media.

Back at school, Carley’s return is met with an outpouring of love and supportive messages. She participates in a televised interview where she shares her approach to cancer—staying proactive and moving forward, refusing to let the illness define her. John and Carley attend the prom together, their bond deepening in the moment, and they share a meaningful intimacy for the first time.

As the months pass, Carley’s hair grows back and doctors reveal that the tumor has been removed. She steps back onto the ice and is given the chance to perform publicly, including singing “O Canada” to open a televised NHL game. John brings his Greek family to share a home-cooked dinner, celebrating everyday life and the support that sustains them.

Yet hope is shadowed again when Carley is rediagnosed with an extremely rare clear cell sarcoma in her lungs. The couple reaffirm their love, but, tragically, Carley succumbs to the disease later that year at the age of 19. In the wake of her passing, Carley’s Angels Foundation is established to help cover the high medical costs associated with her fight, ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire generosity and resilience.

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:53

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Plot questions answered

Kiss and Cry Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Kiss and Cry (2017): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why was Carley's breathing problem initially diagnosed as asthma?

Carley's severe breathlessness was initially attributed to asthma because the symptoms, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, can mirror common respiratory conditions. An inhaler was prescribed, but when it failed to help, doctors conducted more thorough medical tests that eventually revealed the true cause: a rare cancerous tumor pressing against her trachea.

  • carley allison
  • asthma misdiagnosis
  • cancer symptoms
  • trachea tumor
Q2

How did Carley react to learning she had cancer?

Carley responded to her diagnosis with remarkable resilience and optimism. Despite the devastating news of a rare cancerous tumor outside her trachea with astronomical odds against survival, she maintained her characteristic positive mindset. She underwent tracheal surgery and weeks of chemotherapy while keeping her spirit strong, often balancing gravity with humor and referring to her illness as "this little setback in my life."

  • carley allison
  • cancer diagnosis
  • resilience
  • optimism
  • treatment
Q3

What made Carley's type of cancer so rare?

Carley was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. The description notes the odds were just 1 in 3.5 billion. Initially, doctors found a melanoma outside her trachea, which is already unusual. Later, after what appeared to be remission, she was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in her lungs, an exceptionally rare cancer that contributed to her passing at age 19.

  • clear cell sarcoma
  • rare cancer
  • melanoma
  • carley allison
  • 1 in 3.5 billion
Q4

Why did Carley decide to film a bald vlog during treatment?

Carley created a bald vlog to document her cancer journey openly and honestly. After losing a lock of hair during chemotherapy, a poignant reminder of what she was enduring, she chose to share her experience publicly. The vlog became a way to raise awareness about her condition while maintaining her signature honesty and humor about the physical changes brought on by treatment.

  • bald vlog
  • hair loss
  • chemotherapy
  • carley allison
  • cancer journey
Q5

What was the significance of Carley singing "O Canada" at the NHL game?

Carley performing "O Canada" to open a televised NHL game marked a major public recognition of her resilience and talent. After months of treatment and remission, this performance represented her return to the spotlight and symbolized her strength in overcoming illness. It was a crowning moment where her dual talents as both skater and singer were showcased on a national stage.

  • o canada
  • nhl game
  • carley allison
  • singing
  • national anthem
  • public performance
Q6

How did Carley's illness impact her relationship with John?

Carley's illness deepened her relationship with John significantly. When she collapsed on a date, John stood by her throughout the entire journey, staying over to cook and support her at home, declaring his love, surprising her with a prom invitation, and helping her return to skating. Their bond intensified through the hardships, and they shared their first intimate moment at prom. Even when she faced relapse, they reaffirmed their love.

  • john servinis
  • carley allison
  • boyfriend
  • relationship
  • prom
  • support
Q7

What happened after Carley's cancer went into remission?

After doctors announced the tumor had been removed and Carley experienced remission, she returned to skating and performed publicly, including singing at the NHL game. Her hair grew back, and she enjoyed months of relative normalcy. However, hope was shadowed when she was rediagnosed with an extremely rare clear cell sarcoma in her lungs. Despite this devastating news, she and John reaffirmed their love before she succumbed to the disease later that year at age 19.

  • remission
  • relapse
  • clear cell sarcoma
  • carley allison
  • lungs
  • return to skating
Q8

What is Carley's Angels Foundation?

Carley's Angels Foundation was established after Carley's passing to honor her legacy. The foundation helps cover the high medical costs associated with cancer treatment for families facing similar battles. It ensures that Carley's spirit of resilience and generosity continues to inspire others while providing practical support to those navigating the financial burdens of serious illness.

  • carleys angels foundation
  • legacy
  • medical costs
  • charity
  • cancer support
Q9

Why did Carley choose to stay optimistic despite her terminal diagnosis?

Carley maintained unwavering optimism throughout her illness because it was fundamental to her character. She lived by the motto "always smile" or "find a reason to be happy," which shaped her entire outlook. She described treating cancer like a contact sport, staying proactive and moving forward rather than letting the illness define her. Her family supported this mindset, turning moments of fear into opportunities for connection and warmth.

  • carley allison
  • optimism
  • positive attitude
  • terminal diagnosis
  • always smile motto
Q10

How old was Carley when she passed away?

Carley Allison was 19 years old when she passed away. She was diagnosed at 17 after collapsing on a date with John, and despite treatment including surgery and chemotherapy that initially led to remission, she succumbed to a rare form of cancer several months after her remission was announced.

  • age at death
  • carley allison
  • 19 years old
  • passing
  • terminal illness

Movie threads

More Movies Like Kiss and Cry, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Kiss and Cry tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Inspirational Journeys Through Illness and Recovery like Kiss and Cry

Stories of resilience and love in the face of life-altering medical diagnoses. If you were moved by the hopeful spirit and resilience in Kiss and Cry, you'll find similar emotional journeys in this collection. These movies explore the impact of serious illness on young lives, emphasizing family bonds, young love, and the inspirational fight to maintain hope and build a lasting legacy.

  • inspirational
  • heartwarming
  • tragic
  • resilient
  • emotional
  • supportive
  • Tone: hopeful, emotional, inspiring
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear progression from diagnosis to treatment and its aftermath, centering on a protagonist whose inner strength is tested. The conflict is often internal—the battle against despair—as much as it is physical. Support systems like family and romance play a crucial role, and the story ultimately focuses on the legacy of a life lived fully, regardless of the outcome.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the inspirational aspects of a medical crisis. They balance heavy emotional themes with an uplifting, hopeful tone, creating a viewing experience that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. The pacing is steady and character-driven, allowing the audience to fully connect with the protagonist's journey.

Bittersweet Tragedies with a Hopeful Heart like Kiss and Cry

Emotional stories where profound loss is balanced by an enduring sense of hope. For viewers who appreciated how Kiss and Cry balanced a sad ending with an inspirational message, this group features similar movies. Discover other stories where characters face tragic circumstances, but the films ultimately focus on love, legacy, and the hopeful light that persists, offering a deeply moving yet uplifting experience.

  • bittersweet
  • tragic
  • hopeful
  • inspirational
  • emotional
  • heartbreaking
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet, tragic
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist whose life is cut short or fundamentally altered by a tragic event, often an illness. The story spends significant time showcasing their vibrant life, dreams, and relationships. The climax is the acceptance of the tragedy, but the resolution focuses on the positive ripple effects—the memories, the lessons, or the foundations left behind—that transform grief into a source of inspiration.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their unique emotional blend: they are unafraid to explore deep sadness but are ultimately defined by a hopeful, life-affirming core. The tone prevents the story from feeling bleak, and the pacing allows for a thoughtful, emotionally resonant journey that honors the pain while celebrating the spirit.

Every angle

Kiss and Cry (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Kiss and Cry in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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