The Edge of Seventeen is one of those coming-of-age films that blends heartfelt realism with sharp humor. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, it captures the awkwardness, pain, and tiny triumphs of teenage life with surprising honesty. Below is a full, spoiler-filled exploration of everything you asked for.
Detailed Summary
Nadine’s World Comes Crashing Down
We meet Nadine Franklin, a profoundly insecure and socially awkward teenager struggling to navigate high school. Her older brother Darian, the golden child, seems to effortlessly win at life while Nadine constantly battles loneliness. Things get worse when her father—her emotional anchor—dies suddenly from a heart attack. This trauma marks the beginning of Nadine’s spiral.
The Best Friend Betrayal
Nadine has exactly one true friend: Krista. They’ve been inseparable since childhood, offering each other solace in a world that feels hostile and overwhelming. But everything changes when Krista and Darian start dating. When Nadine discovers them together, she feels utterly betrayed, as if the last piece of her world was ripped away.
Mr. Bruner: The Unlikely Confidant
Nadine’s only outlet becomes Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson), her sarcastic yet surprisingly compassionate history teacher. Their interactions give the film its funniest and most tender moments, as he becomes the reluctant adult who actually sees through her emotional chaos.
The Ill-Fated Text Message
In one of the film’s most intense sequences, Nadine impulsively sends a sexually explicit message to Nick, the boy she’s obsessed with. This mistake leads to a disastrous encounter—one that forces her to confront her self-destructive behavior and what she thinks she wants versus what she actually needs.
Erwin: The Good Guy She Overlooks
Meanwhile, Erwin—sweet, shy, genuinely caring—harbors feelings for Nadine. She repeatedly overlooks him because she’s chasing validation from someone entirely wrong for her. Their dynamic becomes central to her growth.
Movie Ending
The climax begins with Nadine running away after a fight with her mother. She steals her mom’s car, storms out, and ends up stranded after the Nick incident goes south. Feeling trapped in despair and convinced that everyone would be better off without her, she sends Krista a message that looks dangerously like a goodbye.
This terrifies Krista and Darian. Darian—for the first time—reveals just how much responsibility he has taken on since their father’s death and how terrified he is of losing Nadine too. The emotional wall between the siblings finally cracks.
Darian finds Nadine and brings her home. Their reconciliation is raw, honest, and long overdue. They acknowledge each other’s pain and accept that they’ve both been grieving differently.
The next morning, Nadine approaches school with a calmer, more grounded mindset. She allows herself to be open to Erwin—really open—finally seeing how much he genuinely cares. When he holds out his arm for her to walk with him, she takes it. It’s a quiet but powerful moment of healing.
The movie ends not with a dramatic transformation but with a realistic, hopeful shift. Nadine hasn’t magically solved her problems—but she’s no longer facing them alone. And for her, that’s monumental.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. There are no post-credits or mid-credits scenes in The Edge of Seventeen.
Type of Movie
It’s a coming-of-age dramedy blending heartfelt emotional exploration with sharp humor. It focuses on personal growth, grief, friendship, and self-acceptance in a grounded, realistic tone.
Cast
- Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine Franklin
- Woody Harrelson as Mr. Bruner
- Kyra Sedgwick as Mona Franklin
- Blake Jenner as Darian Franklin
- Haley Lu Richardson as Krista
- Hayden Szeto as Erwin Kim
- Alexander Calvert as Nick Mossman
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Atli Örvarsson, known for atmospheric, emotionally resonant music. The soundtrack includes alternative and indie tracks that help reinforce Nadine’s internal struggles and the film’s bittersweet tone.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The city’s suburban neighborhoods and high schools provide a relatable, everyday setting that emphasizes the film’s grounded realism. Its neutral aesthetic helps the emotional storytelling take center stage rather than relying on flashy backdrops.
Awards and Nominations
- Hailee Steinfeld received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy.
- The film won praise from critics and appeared on several “Best Films of 2016” lists.
- The script was nominated for several breakthrough and first-feature awards, highlighting Kelly Fremon Craig’s debut strength.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Kelly Fremon Craig drew from personal adolescent experiences, which is why the film feels intimately authentic.
- Hailee Steinfeld received the script years before filming and said Nadine was one of the hardest roles she’d ever prepared for because of the emotional depth.
- Woody Harrelson improvised several lines, especially during the cafeteria scenes with Nadine.
- The film underwent test screenings that proved audiences connected strongly to the sibling storyline, leading to expanded scenes between Nadine and Darian.
- Many extras in the high school scenes were real Vancouver-area students.
Inspirations and References
The film isn’t based on a book, but it’s inspired by:
- Classic coming-of-age films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Say Anything.
- Kelly Fremon Craig’s personal diaries and teenage experiences.
- Observational humor found in works by Cameron Crowe and John Hughes.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- A slightly darker ending was considered, where Nadine’s reconciliation with her mother was more tense and less hopeful.
- Deleted scenes include extended moments with Erwin’s film project and additional comedic exchanges between Nadine and Mr. Bruner.
- A longer confrontation scene between Nadine and Darian was filmed but trimmed for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The Edge of Seventeen is not based on a book, so there are no adaptation differences to note.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Nadine’s meltdown in Mr. Bruner’s classroom (“I’m going to kill myself… just kidding.”)
- Krista and Darian’s relationship reveal
- The disastrous car-park encounter with Nick
- Nadine breaking down in the car before calling Mr. Bruner
- The emotional sibling reconciliation scene
- Nadine finally connecting with Erwin at school
Iconic Quotes
- “I have the unique ability to completely embarrass myself in every situation.”
- “There are two types of people in the world: the people who naturally excel at life… and the people who hope all those people die in a big explosion.”
- Mr. Bruner: “You’re here, alive. And that’s not nothing.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Nadine’s wardrobe subtly shifts from chaotic and mismatched to calmer tones as she becomes more emotionally stable.
- Erwin’s film project about a lonely astronaut parallels Nadine’s emotional isolation.
- The framed family photo in Nadine’s room moves slightly between scenes, reflecting her inability to let go of the past.
- The recurring motif of windows symbolizes Nadine’s growing desire to let others in.
Trivia
- Hailee Steinfeld was only 19 during filming yet delivered a performance many critics called her “career best.”
- Woody Harrelson filmed most of his scenes in under a week due to scheduling constraints.
- The movie originally had a different title: Besties.
- Producer James L. Brooks mentored Kelly Fremon Craig throughout the writing process.
Why Watch?
Because it’s a smart, raw, genuinely funny portrait of being young and emotionally overwhelmed. If you want a film that blends humor with painfully honest self-discovery and features standout performances, especially from Hailee Steinfeld, this is a must-watch. It’s relatable for anyone who’s ever felt out of place—or like they were just surviving adolescence.
Director’s Other Movies
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)
- Post Grad (2009) – writer
