Love, Simon (2018)

Love, Simon (2018), directed by Greg Berlanti, is a heartfelt teen romantic comedy-drama that broke new ground as one of the first major studio films centered around a gay teenage protagonist. Based on Becky Albertalli’s novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, the film delivers a mix of humor, drama, and touching emotional beats while staying accessible and relatable for audiences of all ages.

Detailed Summary

The Perfectly Normal Life of Simon Spier

Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) is a seemingly average high school senior. He has a supportive family, a close-knit group of friends, and enjoys musical theater and iced coffee. But Simon carries one big secret: he’s gay, and nobody knows. He insists his life is “pretty normal” — except for that one detail.

The Mystery of Blue

Simon discovers an anonymous online confession on his school’s message board by a classmate calling himself “Blue,” who reveals that he is secretly gay. Simon, using the alias “Jacques,” begins a heartfelt email correspondence with Blue. Their messages quickly evolve into a genuine bond, with Simon falling for Blue without knowing who he really is.

Blackmail and Complications

Martin (Logan Miller), an awkward classmate, finds Simon’s emails and uses them to blackmail him. Martin wants Simon’s help in winning over Abby (Alexandra Shipp), one of Simon’s best friends. Afraid his secret will be exposed and that Blue will stop communicating with him, Simon reluctantly agrees. This forces Simon into manipulative situations that put a strain on his friendships.

The Emails Exposed

Eventually, Martin publicly outs Simon by posting the emails online. Simon is devastated, losing his privacy, his dignity, and the trust of his friends. The revelation also seemingly pushes Blue away, as Blue deletes his email account. For Simon, the fallout is both painful and isolating.

Movie Ending

In the emotional final act, Simon decides he won’t let others control his story. He comes out to his parents — his mom (Jennifer Garner) delivers a moving, supportive speech about him finally being able to “exhale,” and his dad (Josh Duhamel) struggles with guilt for not noticing earlier but reassures Simon of his unconditional love.

Determined to take control of his narrative, Simon posts a public message on the school message board, apologizing to Blue for what happened and inviting him to meet on the Ferris wheel at the local carnival. This scene becomes the emotional centerpiece of the film. Simon waits, riding the Ferris wheel alone as onlookers watch curiously, some cheering him on, others mocking. Just as hope seems lost, Bram (Keiynan Lonsdale), one of Simon’s classmates, sits beside him. It is revealed that Bram is Blue, the boy Simon has been writing to all along. They hold hands, share a kiss, and the crowd cheers.

The final scenes show Simon’s life restored — his friendships mended, his relationship with Bram beginning, and his future bright and honest. He drives his friends to school, fully himself, no longer hiding.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Love, Simon does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the story concludes with Simon and Bram’s kiss and the group of friends heading into their future, the credits roll without additional content.

Type of Movie

The film is a teen romantic comedy-drama with elements of coming-of-age storytelling. It mixes lighthearted humor, heartfelt family moments, and an inspiring LGBTQ+ love story.

Cast

• Nick Robinson as Simon Spier
• Jennifer Garner as Emily Spier (Simon’s mother)
• Josh Duhamel as Jack Spier (Simon’s father)
• Katherine Langford as Leah Burke
• Alexandra Shipp as Abby Suso
• Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Nick Eisner
• Keiynan Lonsdale as Bram Greenfeld
• Logan Miller as Martin Addison
• Tony Hale as Mr. Worth (the vice principal)
• Natasha Rothwell as Ms. Albright (the drama teacher)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Rob Simonsen, whose music underscores the film’s balance of youthful energy and emotional depth. The soundtrack also includes contemporary pop and indie tracks, most notably from Bleachers, whose songs emphasize the film’s joyful yet heartfelt tone.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding suburbs. The choice of location provided the authentic American suburban high school atmosphere essential to the film’s setting, reflecting both Simon’s “ordinary” life and the universality of his story.

Awards and Nominations

• Won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release (2019).
• Nominated for several Teen Choice Awards, particularly in categories like Choice Comedy Movie and Choice Movie Ship (Simon & Blue).
• Recognized by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups for its cultural significance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Director Greg Berlanti, openly gay himself, wanted to make a mainstream studio film where a gay teen protagonist’s story was told with the same charm as any John Hughes–style rom-com.
• Nick Robinson came out to the cast that he was straight but still felt a deep responsibility to portray Simon authentically.
• Keiynan Lonsdale (Bram) came out publicly during the film’s release, later sharing how the role helped him embrace his own identity.
• The carnival Ferris wheel scene was filmed at an actual carnival, with extras genuinely not knowing when “Blue” would appear, helping capture the suspense authentically.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. The title references the idea that everyone should have the right to come out in their own way, not just LGBTQ+ individuals.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While the final cut remains close to the book’s spirit, a few scenes were trimmed for pacing. Early drafts included longer exchanges between Simon and Blue, as well as more detail about the aftermath of Simon’s outing. The Ferris wheel ending remained central and unchanged throughout production.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• In the book, the reveal of Blue’s identity happens slightly earlier, while the film saves it for the carnival scene for maximum impact.
• The novel goes deeper into Simon’s friendships, especially Leah’s unrequited feelings for him.
• Some supporting characters and subplots were condensed or altered for runtime.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Simon’s heartfelt coming-out moment with his mom.
• Leah confronting Simon about his lies when Martin’s blackmail causes tension.
• Simon’s emotional breakdown after being outed online.
• The Ferris wheel climax, which has become one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ moments in modern cinema.

Iconic Quotes

• Simon: “I’m still me.”
• Emily (his mom): “You get to exhale now, Simon.”
• Leah: “I just want you to know I’m in love with you.”
• Simon (narration): “Why is straight the default?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The school’s theater productions (like Cabaret) thematically tie into Simon’s journey of self-expression.
• Simon’s bedroom contains posters and details reflecting both his personality and his longing for self-acceptance.
• Becky Albertalli, the book’s author, has a cameo as a parent chaperone at the carnival.

Trivia

• This was the first film from a major Hollywood studio to center on a gay teenage romance.
• Nick Robinson’s real-life brother came out to him while Robinson was filming the movie, adding personal resonance to his performance.
• The Ferris wheel scene required multiple night shoots and was one of the last sequences filmed.

Why Watch?

Love, Simon is more than just a teen rom-com — it’s a landmark film that normalizes LGBTQ+ love stories within mainstream cinema. It balances humor, romance, and emotional truth in a way that feels both heartwarming and groundbreaking. Whether you’re looking for a feel-good story, a touching romance, or a film with cultural impact, Love, Simon delivers.

Director’s Other Movies

Greg Berlanti is more widely known for his TV work, but his notable film projects include:

• Life as We Know It (2010)
• Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Call Me by Your Name (2017)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
• Booksmart (2019)