“A poignant, even-handed drama that could easily be mistaken for an uber-earnest high-school flick (think Lady Bird meets Love, Simon), the movie from director Brett Haley and writers Niven and Liz Hannah (The Post) resists any urge to use romance as a panacea for the harsh realities of trauma and mental illness. Without trying too hard, it speaks to teenagers, and also to the teenagers we all once were, about how to cope with and adapt to those first big losses in life that you don’t see coming. With steady performances from Smith and Fanning, the result is a refreshingly sober spin on the YA romantic drama… a tender and searing portrayal.”

— Hollywood Reporter

“Adapted by Jennifer Niven and Liz Hannah from Niven’s bestselling young adult novel, Haley’s feature contains all the necessary ingredients for success that films like ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ and its ilk have — undeniably cute leads adept at conjuring cheers and tears, a solid soundtrack and a pass-the-tissues third act — yet its pure beating heart and humanistic undertones make it somewhat of a standout.”

— Variety

“… there’s… a lot to love in this moving romantic drama. Though it’s not without humor, ‘All the Bright Places’ takes teens’ emotions seriously and will move romantics of any age — in possibly unexpected ways. … This adaptation by Liz Hannah (‘The Post’) and Jennifer Niven from Niven’s young adult novel succeeds… particularly in its sensitive handling of grief and mental illness, in addition to the more everyday intensities of adolescent feelings. But it isn’t all sadness here; ‘All the Bright Places’ focuses on the value of small joys, even amid larger pain.”

— LA Times

“Smith is ebullient and charismatic as the intelligent, sarcastic Finch. ‘All the Bright Places’ rests on the notion that you never really know what others are going through, that people who seem to have it all together on the outside might have a lot more going on underneath. Perhaps that’s not a novel, earth-shattering concept, but it’s one that’s as worthwhile as ever. And the film’s frank talk about mental illness, suicidal thoughts, physical abuse and family loss is so potent and necessary….”

— Roger Ebert

“Even in today’s era when mental health is finally receiving the attention it deserves, black people are often left out of the conversation. So, it’s refreshing, and even cathartic, to see a young adult narrative explore how that affects black teens like Theodore who are struggling… a film that impressively balances moments of joy with equally resonating despair.”

— The New York Times

“This romance drama, based on Jennifer Niven’s popular young adult novel, requires at least a sleeve of Thin Mints to cope with its central pair of high school students’ tormented lives and burgeoning passions. That’s a compliment. In the grand scheme of YA films, ‘Bright Places’ is top-shelf. Smith is an especially exciting talent. Here, Smith manages to be magnetic, sketchy and troubled all at once — adding many layers to what’s in the script. Fanning does, too. The actress’ skill is in holding back obvious feelings like a dam, so her biggest moments, like her moving final speech, really bowl you over.

Excuse me; I need those cookies now. ”

— The New York Post

“… a film that treats the topic of mental illness with care. All the Bright Places shows a heartbreaking reality for many who suffer from mental illness, but it's also a plea: that with the right resources, the right education, we can end the plague of stigma and hopefully all find the bright places amongst the darkness.”

— Thrillist

“The movie has beautiful ups and tragic downs. It spans the full emotional terrain and is much more than just a teen movie. I think this film is an immensely valuable tool in getting teenagers to talk to people about their issues with depression, abuse, eating disorders, etc. before it’s too late. It also shows people of all ages that this too shall pass, that humans are resilient but also fragile, and life will continuously surprise you. I think that All The Bright Places is a beautiful film. You will probably cry, but it will be worth it.”

— Film Threat

“All The Bright Places never shies away from its discussion of mental illness. It’s a film of open hearts, of unafraid kisses, of never-ending grief often lived in silence. With the familiar foundations of a well-worn genre, All The Bright Places builds something braver than expected. Something that reaches deeper than its Netflix contemporaries – and ends up surpassing them altogether.”

— NME

“All the Bright Places is a cut above its Netflix YA contemporaries. In a world full of inexplicable book-to-film adaptations, All the Bright Places is a diamond in the rough. It is able to describe the indescribable feeling of what it’s like to deal with trauma at a young age. There are many moments of grief throughout, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

— The Young Folks

“What a wonderful surprise this film is! Netflix has released one of the better movies of 2020 so far with ‘All the Bright Places’, a tremendously effective and mature adaptation of the Young Adult novel of the same name… one of the best releases of the year so far. Don’t miss it…”

— Hollywood News

“Despite the tragedies we witnessed in All the Bright Places, I came away feeling stronger for it. It showed us how heavy anxiety and depression can be, but it also showed us that happiness and positivity are also possible, even if we must work harder than we ever have before in order to achieve them. If nothing else, I think it’s important to remember that you never know who’s struggling. Be brave enough to be kind.”

— Hypable

“The truth is, All the Bright Places isn’t the kind of teen love story everyone will enjoy. It deals with tough subjects like grief and depression and it’s well-made enough to make those themes incredibly affecting. Perhaps it’s not the light rom-com those disappointed by the To All the Boys sequel might be looking for, but it’s still something special. A teen love story that might just become a modern classic.”

— The Pop Break

“A Healing And Heartbreaking Hug Of A Movie. The latest Netflix film isn’t teen tropey and it doesn’t reach out to one specific generation through its charming and touching tale; it’s innately human, plain and simple. All The Bright Places feels effortlessly affecting and it has a timeless story to tell. It’s the kind of movie you’ll sit back and think about later – maybe much like our own relationships. It’s about how damaging falling in love can be when you haven’t yet found peace with yourself to one, while to another it can be exactly what they need to grow. Experiences aren’t linear and that’s a refreshing quality for a film of this genre to express. All The Bright Places is challenging, entertaining, and most of all, it embraces sadness in the best ways.”

— CinemaBlend

“It’s a bold and at times disturbing piece about living with mental illness. Especially for younger viewers, if you’re concerned about any potential triggers, it may be worth doing a bit of research about the film before watching. But it’s an honest, touching and beautiful film that deserves to be seen, talked about and even celebrated.”

— SLUG Magazine