The Half of It (2020) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Friendless student Ellie Chu (Leah Liang Lewis) resides in the quiet town of Squahamish, where she supplements her income by crafting homework papers for her classmates. She only receives payment if her clients earn an A (A-, A, or A+), charging $10 for three pages and $20 for papers between three and ten pages long. Ellie lives with her widowed father, Edwin (Collin Chou), juggling responsibilities as the station master and signalman while providing support in their household.

Sensitive and introspective, Ellie often writes about love, expressing that people have an inherent understanding when they are meant to be with someone. As part of her high school's requirements, Ellie must participate in the senior talent show. This is where she encounters Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer), an inarticulate football player who approaches her with a request to pen a love letter for Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire), a girl from their school. Ellie harbors her own feelings for Aster and initially turns down the offer. However, when Paul offers to increase her payment, Ellie is compelled to accept, particularly after learning that their electricity will be cut off unless they settle a $50 bill within a day.

Aster is currently dating Trig (Wolfgang Novogratz), a boy from a wealthy background, and in a twist, Ellie begins to communicate with Aster through letters and text messages, posing as Paul. This creates a meaningful connection between them, centered on their shared interests in literature and art, although Aster believes she is engaging with Paul. Their correspondence becomes a canvas for mutual creativity, as they collaborate on a mural—taking turns painting at designated times to avoid meeting each other.

Amidst this, Ellie receives encouragement from her English teacher, Mrs. Geselschap (Becky Ann Baker), to apply to Grinnell College. Yet Ellie is hesitant to leave her father, despite her dissatisfaction with life in Squahamish. Recognizing Ellie’s talent, Mrs. Geselschap is aware of her ghostwriting for peers, which underscores her capabilities.

Ellie tries to set Paul up on a date with Aster, but it backfires as Paul fails to captivate Aster the way Ellie can. Disheartened but encouraged by Paul's defense against bullies, Ellie decides to help him prepare for a subsequent date, teaching him about art, literature, and Aster's preferences, including essential topics like existentialism and Audrey Hepburn.

Their time together fosters a bond, leading Paul to stumble upon Ellie's feelings for Aster. Initially surprised, he eventually comes to terms with it, sharing insights about his passion for sausages and culinary creations. Paul's second attempt at a date falters as well, but Ellie cleverly intervenes by texting Aster while pretending to be Paul, leading to a heartfelt confession from Paul and a kiss that he later shares with Ellie.

During a party, Paul takes an inebriated Ellie home, where he discovers letters in her bag addressed to food critics, indicating Ellie's genuine concern for him. Aster, impressed by Ellie’s solo performance at the talent show, invites her for a day out, leading them to a secluded hot spring where they swim and share intimate thoughts. Aster reveals her apprehensions about Trig, who intends to propose, while Ellie confides about her atheism and her late mother.

Simultaneously, a bonding moment occurs between Paul and Ellie's father as they prepare sausages together. However, Ellie struggles with her feelings as she witnesses a kiss between Paul and Aster, prompting her to consider applying to Grinnell after initially resisting change.

In a misunderstanding fueled by Paul’s feelings, he tries to kiss Ellie, leading to an angry outburst from Aster. Paul becomes aware of Ellie’s affections for Aster and, due to his upbringing, expresses that her love is a sin. Their connection deepens through shared cooking experiences, and as Trig proposes to Aster in church, Ellie and Paul interrupt the moment publicly. Aster discovers that Ellie was behind the letters and is understandably furious.

Before leaving for Grinnell, Ellie takes the brave step to apologize to Aster, who reveals possible feelings for her too and plans to pursue art school. Their connection culminates in a kiss, with Ellie promising to reunite in two years. As Ellie departs, Paul sees her off at the train platform, sharing news of his sausage reviews and his intent to maintain a friendship with her father. Mimicking a scene from the movie Ek Villain, Paul comically runs alongside the train as it pulls away, eliciting laughter from Ellie as she reflects on the passengers around her.

The ending of The Half of It leaves viewers with a blend of hope and realization, rather than a traditional happily-ever-after. Throughout the film, Ellie and Aster have shared a tender connection, but they aren’t ready to be together just yet. Their heartfelt final conversation across the street reveals that both are still figuring out who they are—Ellie with her beliefs and feelings, and Aster with her identity and desires. Aster confidently states that she’ll be sure of herself in a few years, suggesting she needs time to understand her sexuality and her place in the world. When Ellie crosses the dividing line and kisses Aster passionately, it signifies her hope that their feelings are genuine and enduring. Ellie’s farewell, “I’ll see you in a couple of years,” indicates that they plan to reunite after college and art school, allowing them to see if their love will stand the test of time once they’ve both grown and discovered more about themselves. The film’s opening and closing animations, based on the Greek myth of soulmates, reinforce the idea that love is about the pursuit—an ongoing journey marked by boldness and effort. The final scenes suggest that Ellie’s search for her soulmate, like the many characters on the train, isn’t over yet, leaving a sense of openness and hope for what the future might hold for both of them. In the end, The Half of It emphasizes that love isn’t always immediate or perfect; sometimes, it’s about the patience to wait and see what future years will bring.