Words on Bathroom Walls is a 2020 American coming-of-age[3] romantic drama film directed by Thor Freudenthal and written by Nick Naveda, based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton.

The film stars Charlie Plummer, Andy García, Taylor Russell, AnnaSophia Robb, Beth Grant, Molly Parker and Walton Goggins.

After a psychotic break causes him to accidentally burn a classmate’s arm, high school senior Adam Petrazelli is then diagnosed with schizophrenia.

At stressful times, his three regular "visitors" are Rebecca, a New Age hippie; Joaquin, the smutty best friend; and the overprotective and often violent "The Bodyguards"; as well as a "dark" threatening voice that represents Adam's fears of the unknown.

Realizing how much he cares, Adam runs to catch up with him and Beth, hugging Paul for the first time and accepting him as a fatherly figure.

Beth and Paul take Adam to St. Agatha's graduation ceremony, where, despite Sister Catherine's attempt to stop him, he gathers the courage to address the student body calmly, with the support of Father Patrick.

In February 2018, Thor Freudenthal was announced as the film's director, from a screenplay by Nick Naveda, based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton, with LD Entertainment producing.

[6] Freudenthal read and enjoyed the novel, and felt that a film adaptation would allow the "opportunity for a very different kind of representation of mental illness with schizophrenia.

We could create a person onscreen that was neither a mad genius nor a violent criminal, [but] who a lot of people could even see themselves in the way I did when I read the book.

[8] In April 2018, Andy García, Molly Parker, Walton Goggins, AnnaSophia Robb, and Devon Bostick also joined the cast.

The site's critics consensus reads, "Sensitive, well-acted, and solidly directed, Words on Bathroom Walls is an admirable addition to a genre that too rarely does justice to its worthy themes.

[24][25] Guy Lodge of Variety wrote, "There are pockets of truth, grace and pain in this portrait of troubled adolescence, and its talented young stars know where to find them".

[24] Writing for AllMovie, Steven Yoder wrote, "Freudenthal understands the workings of the adolescent mind better than any director since John Hughes, and it shows through the ease of the actors' portrayals.

"[26] He added, "The script is tight, showing the progression of wellness, illness, hope, and setback without ever becoming preachy, instructional, or boring.

Part of the goal in Words on Bathroom Walls, though, is to show schizophrenia (and mental illness in general) as something that real people are constantly living with and battling.

"[27] Nick Naveda received a nomination for the Best Adapted Screenplay Award from the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films.