The Kissing Booth (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set primarily in a typical American high school, with additional key scenes at the beach and the Hollywood Sign. These settings represent both the everyday world of teenage life and the aspirational dreams of young romance.

• high school setting
• beach
• hollywood sign
• locations

The film takes place in contemporary present day, reflecting the modern teenage experience with current social dynamics, technology, and cultural references relevant to today's adolescents.

• present day
• contemporary
• modern setting
• time period

The movie explores two interconnected themes: Love and Friendship, which examines how romantic feelings can complicate and enrich close friendships, and Coming of Age, which follows Elle's journey of personal growth and self-discovery during her teenage years.

• themes
• love and friendship
• coming of age
• meaning

The Love and Friendship theme shows how Elle's romantic feelings for Noah create tension with her best friendship with Lee. It explores the idea that love can both strengthen and threaten existing friendships, ultimately leading to heartfelt reconciliation.

• love
• friendship
• relationship conflict
• Elle Noah Lee

The Coming of Age theme follows Elle's transformation from a sweet girl with a secret crush into a confident young woman who learns to navigate complex emotions, stand up for her feelings, and find her voice amid the challenges of adolescence.

• coming of age
• growth
• personal development
• Elle character arc

Elle Evans is the main protagonist, played by Joey King. She is a spirited and determined teenage girl who finds herself torn between her friendship pact with her best friend Lee and the unexpected chemistry she feels with his older brother Noah. Her journey centers on learning to balance love and friendship while discovering her own identity.

• Elle Evans
• protagonist
• main character
• Joey King

Noah Flynn is the charming older brother of Elle's best friend Lee, played by Jacob Elordi. He is portrayed as protective and somewhat tough on the exterior, but he shows vulnerability and genuine emotion in his developing relationship with Elle. His character represents the conflict between romantic desire and family loyalty.

• Noah Flynn
• love interest
• Jacob Elordi
• character role

Lee Flynn is Elle's best friend and Noah's younger brother, played by Joel Courtney. He embodies loyalty and friendship, but his character faces the challenge of feeling sidelined as Elle and Noah's relationship develops. His storyline highlights the importance of communication in maintaining friendships.

• Lee Flynn
• best friend
• Joel Courtney
• supporting character

The beach serves as a backdrop for pivotal moments including parties and confrontations. It represents the carefree summer atmosphere of teenage life and provides a neutral, open space where relationships can develop and emotions can surface publicly.

• beach
• setting symbolism
• summer
• parties

The Hollywood Sign symbolizes dreams and aspirations. Elle and Noah share intimate moments at this landmark, aligning with the movie's themes of young love and personal ambitions. It represents the idea that love and dreams can intersect during the transformative teenage years.

• hollywood sign
• dreams
• aspirations
• symbolism

The movie portrays a contemporary teenage world filled with typical high school experiences like detention, school fundraisers, parties, and prom. While the tone is light and comedic, there are underlying emotional stakes involving grief and relationship tension, creating a balanced view of adolescent life.

• high school world
• teenage life
• social dynamics
• setting tone