Winter Spring Summer or Fall (2025) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place primarily in New York City, with key scenes at Columbia University. Some sequences also take place in Costa Rica, representing an adventurous escape for the characters.

• new york
• columbia university
• costa rica
• setting
• locations

The story is set in modern day contemporary times, capturing the transitional phase of young adulthood where characters navigate college ambitions and life-altering decisions.

• modern day
• contemporary
• time period
• era

Love is the central theme, exploring the bittersweet nature of young relationships. The film examines how Remi and Barnes navigate their connection while balancing personal aspirations with romantic feelings, ultimately highlighting the enduring nature of their bond.

• love
• theme
• romance
• relationship
• young love

Self-discovery is a major theme as both characters grapple with their futures and identities. Remi faces a conflict between her goal of becoming a lawyer and her search for purpose, eventually choosing volunteer work in Costa Rica. Barnes similarly embarks on a quest for direction, with their experiences shaping their personal growth.

• self-discovery
• identity
• growth
• purpose
• personal development

Adventure is woven throughout the story as both physical and emotional journeys. The characters seek adventure through travel to Costa Rica, new experiences, and exploring their desires, with each adventure contributing to their evolving personal narratives.

• adventure
• travel
• journey
• exploration
• costa rica

Remi Aguilar is an ambitious and driven character aspiring to become a lawyer. She grapples with expectations from her parents and society while exploring her own identity, eventually making choices that reflect her true self rather than external expectations.

• remi
• character
• ambitions
• lawyer
• harvard
• goals

Barnes Hawthorne is a laid-back, music-loving character who navigates teenage life with humor and introspection. Fluent in Japanese with a history of living abroad, he embodies youth's uncertainties. His evolving relationship with Remi is central to his growth and realizations throughout the film.

• barnes
• character
• personality
• japanese
• music
• background

The central tension comes from Remi's plans to attend Harvard in the fall, creating a 'right person, wrong time' dynamic. Their relationship must confront the difficult reality of potentially separating paths as they each pursue their individual futures.

• relationship
• conflict
• college
• harvard
• separation
• tension

The film is deliberately structured through four seasons, winter, spring, summer, and fall, which provide a natural rhythm for the relationship's progression. This structure creates highs and lows without jarring shifts, mirroring the emotional journey of young love.

• seasons
• structure
• pacing
• timeline
• narrative

The tone is predominantly bittersweet, with the looming separation due to Remi's college plans creating a pervasive sense of emotional urgency. While there are significant arguments and a temporary breakup, conflicts stem from relatable teenage anxieties about the future rather than traumatic events.

• tone
• bittersweet
• emotional
• mood
• feeling

Columbia University represents the prestigious academic path that Remi aspires to, symbolizing her ambitious goals and the pressure she faces from family expectations. It serves as a key location where the characters' different paths become increasingly apparent.

• columbia university
• college
• academia
• ambitions
• education

The romance is the singular driving force of the narrative with a high romance score. Unlike films with external threats, tension arises from internal conflict and parental pressure. The happy ending is contextualized by preceding emotional struggles, solidifying the bittersweet core message about young love.

• romance
• love story
• relationship
• conflict
• ending