Max's Turtles All the Way Down has garnered the highest critical Rotten Tomatoes score of any TV show or film adapted from John Green's books. The movie, based on Green's 2017 novel of the same name, centers around Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old grappling with high school life and relationships while coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
The novel is widely regarded as one of Green's finest works for its authentic portrayal of anxiety and OCD, shedding light on mental health issues. The film adaptation has been highly anticipated by fans eager to see how it would measure up to the acclaimed book.
As per Rotten Tomatoes, Turtles All the Way Down currently boasts an impressive 93% critics score based on 15 reviews and a remarkable 97% audience score from over 100 reviews. While the number of critical reviews is relatively low, the movie stands out with the highest critical and audience scores among Green's adaptations, closely followed by the Looking for Alaska TV series with a 92% rating from both critics and audiences.
John Green Adaptations
| RT Critics Score | RT Audience Score |
|---|---|
| Turtles All the Way Down (2024) | 93% |
| Looking for Alaska (2019) | 92% |
| Dil Bechara (2020) | 87% |
| The Fault in Our Stars (2014) | 81% |
| Let It Snow (2019) | 81% |
| Paper Towns (2015) | 58% |
While acknowledging that Turtles All the Way Down is not flawless, reviews commend the movie for its sensitive and poignant portrayal of OCD, a theme close to Green's heart as he has openly discussed his own struggles with the disorder. The film effectively captures the essence of the novel's coming-of-age drama, tracing Holmes' growth and the challenges of adolescence.
Isabela Merced's performance as Aza Holmes has been particularly lauded, although some critics felt that the movie could have delved deeper into certain story elements. The romantic subplot and mystery in the film were noted to create a slight tonal imbalance, with the central relationship between Holmes and Davis not receiving as much depth as in the book.
Despite these minor criticisms, both audiences and critics agree that Turtles All the Way Down successfully translates the core themes of Green's novel onto the screen, resonating with viewers through its authentic portrayal of mental health struggles and the journey towards self-acceptance and hope.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes
Watch Turtles All The Way Down on Max to witness Aza's poignant journey of self-discovery amidst the challenges of adolescence and mental health.
