Turtles All the Way Down carries a deeply personal and introspective feel, much like the show Atypical. Itâs not your typical rom-com, but thatâs exactly what makes it stand out.
From the very beginning, the film does an excellent job of pulling you into the mind of Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced), a teenager battling intense anxiety and obsessive thought spirals. Her struggles are portrayed with authenticity and never feel exaggerated or over-dramatized. Instead, they feel realâeven if painfully so.
This resonated with me on a personal level. Iâve always felt that some of my quirks lean more toward the autistic spectrum, and watching Aza navigate her worldâthe way her mind can hijack a situation, how the internal noise can feel overwhelmingâfelt all too familiar. Thatâs what makes this film so compelling: it doesnât just tell a story, it understands one.
Isabela Merced is fantastic in the role. She captures the difficulty of Azaâs situation in a way that feels both nuanced and deeply believable. Whether itâs her moments of quiet struggle or the times when her compulsions feel downright crippling, her performance never feels forced. You feel what sheâs feeling, which is a key component to great cinema.
The story itself is well-designed and executed, balancing Azaâs personal struggles with her budding romance and the mystery that unfolds around her. However, this isnât a rom-com in the traditional sense. The romance is there, but it takes a backseat to Azaâs journey, making it a film that may not be suited for audiences expecting a lighthearted love story.
Final thoughts? Turtles All the Way Down is an emotionally rich and beautifully crafted film that offers an honest look at mental health without resorting to clichĂ©s. Itâs both moving and thought-provoking… In short, it’s absolutely worth watchingâespecially for those who see a little bit of themselves in Azaâs story.
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