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The Half of It (2020) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Half of It (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 104 min · English
Echo score 83
JustWatch #23,553 3
Directed by
Alice Wu
Starring
Leah Liang Lewis, Alex D. Jennings, Alec Tincher, Alexxis Lemire, Becky Ann Baker, Catherine Curtin

A shy, introverted student finds himself unexpectedly entangled in the romantic lives of others. He secretly agrees to write letters for a popular athlete, who wants to win over a classmate. As the student navigates this unusual arrangement, he finds himself developing feelings while orchestrating a delicate dance of attraction and vulnerability, ultimately learning about love and acceptance in the process.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Half of It
  8. 8 Categories
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Half of It (2020)

Where can you watch The Half of It? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Half of It Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Half of It (2020), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Ellie Chu

    played by Leah Liang Lewis

    Ellie is a sensitive and introspective student who navigates the complexities of love and friendship. Known for her intelligence and creativity, she often writes about profound themes, yet grapples with her own feelings and responsibilities at home. Her journey of self-discovery leads her to confront her emotions and aspirations.

    • 💖 Protagonist
    • 📝 Writer
  • Aster Flores

    played by Alexxis Lemire

    Aster is depicted as a popular girl who becomes the object of Ellie's affection. She is artistic and thoughtful, but is also caught in her own romantic struggles with Trig. Her character evolves as she navigates her relationships, ultimately recognizing her feelings for Ellie.

    • 🌺 Love Interest
    • 🎨 Artist
  • Paul Munsky

    played by Daniel Diemer

    Paul is an endearing yet inarticulate football player who seeks help from Ellie to write a love letter to Aster. As the story progresses, he becomes more aware of Ellie’s feelings and demonstrates growth as he attempts to understand love and friendship.

    • 🏈 Football Player
    • 🤗 Friend
  • Edwin Chu

    played by Collin Chou

    Edwin is Ellie's widowed father, dedicated to supporting his daughter while managing his own responsibilities as a station master. His caring nature is evident in his interactions and the strong bond he shares with Ellie, serving as a figure of stability in her life.

    • 👨‍👧‍👦 Father
    • 🚂 Authority Figure

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:52

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Setting

Where and When Does The Half of It Take Place?

The setting of The Half of It (2020): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting the modern teenage experience. Themes of identity, love, and self-discovery resonate through the characters’ interactions, highlighting the complexities of relationships in the digital age.

Location

Squahamish, Grinnell College

Squahamish is a quiet town characterized by its serene environment, where the protagonist Ellie navigates her life and troubles. It's a setting that embodies the challenges of adolescence and familial responsibilities. Grinnell College represents an opportunity for Ellie, offering her a chance to pursue her dreams and escape the confines of her small-town life.

  • 🏞️ Town
  • 🎓 College

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:52

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3 major themes

The Half of It Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Half of It (2020) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Unrequited Love

    Unrequited love is a central theme in the movie as Ellie struggles with her feelings for Aster while helping Paul express his. This theme highlights the complications that arise when love is not reciprocated, and it brings depth to the characters' emotional journeys. The letters exchanged between Ellie and Aster represent a yearning for connection that transcends misunderstandings.

  • Self-Discovery

    Self-discovery is portrayed as Ellie grapples with her identity and aspirations throughout the story. Her journey involves exploring her creativity, love for literature, and what it means to truly connect with someone. This theme encapsulates the trials of adolescence, particularly as Ellie considers her future at Grinnell College and her relationship with Aster.

  • Family Bonds

    Family bonds play a crucial role in shaping Ellie’s character and decisions. Her relationship with her father, Edwin, highlights the responsibilities she shoulders and the support she provides despite personal challenges. This theme emphasizes the importance of familial connections in the face of life's struggles, showcasing the balance between duty and personal desire.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:52

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Character & theme questions

The Half of It Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Half of It (2020): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Half of It set?

The movie is set in the small town of Squahamish, a quiet and serene environment that reflects the challenges of adolescence. Grinnell College also features as a key location representing Ellie's opportunity to pursue higher education and escape her small-town life.

  • squahamish
  • setting
  • location
  • small town
  • grinnell college
Q2

When does The Half of It take place?

The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting the modern teenage experience. It explores themes of identity, love, and self-discovery in the digital age.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • teenage
Q3

What does the Unrequited Love theme explore in the movie?

Unrequited love is a central theme as Ellie struggles with her feelings for Aster while helping Paul express his. This theme highlights the complications that arise when love is not reciprocated, with the letters exchanged representing a yearning for connection that transcends misunderstandings.

  • unrequited love
  • aster
  • feelings
  • letters
  • romance
Q4

How does Self-Discovery play out in The Half of It?

Self-discovery is portrayed through Ellie's journey of exploring her creativity, love for literature, and what it means to truly connect with someone. Her story involves confronting her emotions and aspirations while considering her future at Grinnell College.

  • self-discovery
  • identity
  • Ellie
  • creativity
  • aspirations
  • college
Q5

How do Family Bonds feature in The Half of It?

Family bonds play a crucial role in shaping Ellie's character and decisions. Her relationship with her widowed father Edwin highlights the responsibilities she carries and the support she provides, emphasizing the balance between familial duty and personal desire.

  • family
  • edwin chu
  • father
  • daughter
  • responsibility
  • support
Q6

Who is Ellie Chu in the movie?

Ellie Chu is a sensitive and introspective student known for her intelligence and creativity. She navigates the complexities of love and friendship while juggling responsibilities at home, ultimately on a journey of self-discovery as she confronts her emotions and aspirations.

  • ellie chu
  • protagonist
  • student
  • intelligent
  • creative
Q7

Who is Aster Flores?

Aster Flores is a popular, artistic, and thoughtful girl who becomes the object of Ellie's affection. She navigates her own romantic struggles with Trig and eventually recognizes her feelings for Ellie as her character evolves throughout the story.

  • aster flores
  • popular
  • artistic
  • romantic
  • love interest
Q8

Who is Paul Munsky?

Paul Munsky is an endearing but inarticulate football player who seeks Ellie's help to write love letters to Aster. As the story progresses, he becomes more aware of Ellie's feelings and demonstrates personal growth in understanding love and friendship.

  • paul munsky
  • football
  • athlete
  • letters
  • friendship
  • growth
Q9

Who is Edwin Chu?

Edwin Chu is Ellie's widowed father who works as a station master. He is dedicated to supporting his daughter while managing his own responsibilities, providing a stable presence and strong bond with Ellie throughout her journey.

  • edwin chu
  • father
  • widowed
  • station master
  • supportive
Q10

What is Squahamish like as a setting?

Squahamish is depicted as a quiet town characterized by its serene environment. It embodies the challenges of adolescence and familial responsibilities, serving as a restrictive backdrop that Ellie hopes to escape through education at Grinnell College.

  • squahamish
  • small town
  • quiet
  • restrictive
  • escape

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Half of It, by Mood & Story

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

Movies with complicated love triangles like The Half of It

Stories where a hidden matchmaker gets entangled in a web of their own creation. If you enjoyed the unique romantic setup in The Half of It, you'll find similar stories here. These movies explore the bittersweet complexities of love triangles formed through secrets, mistaken identities, or characters acting as intermediaries, all while navigating the awkwardness of adolescence and self-acceptance.

  • awkward
  • heartfelt
  • vulnerable
  • quirky
  • melancholic
  • romantic
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern often involves an initial deception or secret arrangement—like writing letters for someone else—that creates a false romantic front. As the scheme continues, the orchestrator develops genuine feelings, leading to internal conflict, the risk of exposure, and a climax where truths are revealed, forcing characters towards authentic connection and personal growth.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific romantic plot device: the secret identity love triangle. They resonate with a similar mix of awkward humor, heartfelt emotion, and the bittersweet tension of concealed feelings, offering a nuanced take on young love and self-discovery.

Quiet and heartfelt coming-of-age movies like The Half of It

Introspective tales of self-discovery that find hope in everyday awkwardness. For viewers who appreciated the thoughtful and introspective vibe of The Half of It, this section highlights similar movies. Discover other gentle dramas and comedies that capture the awkward, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful experience of navigating adolescence, family, and finding one's place in the world.

  • introspective
  • heartfelt
  • awkward
  • quirky
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, observant
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a quiet, introspective protagonist navigating the complexities of adolescence. The conflict is often internal or interpersonal, revolving around themes like grief, family responsibility, social isolation, or sexual identity. The narrative arc leads to a moment of quiet acceptance or understanding rather than a dramatic, external victory.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific mood and tone: a steady, medium-intensity pace, a focus on emotional vulnerability, and a balance between melancholic moments and a fundamentally hopeful outlook. They share a quirky, heartfelt charm that makes the awkwardness of growing up feel universal and meaningful.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Half of It

Similar movies to The Half of It: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring The Half of It

The Half of It appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

The Half of It (2020) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

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

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