AtanariaWinter Spring Summer or Fall (2024) is a heartfelt and refreshing addition to the young adult romance genre. Directed with a gentle sincerity, the film blends the charm of a classic coming-of-age story with the emotional depth of a character-driven drama. What might appear at first glance to be a simple teenage love story blossoms into something more profound—a meditation on identity, ambition, and the struggle to balance external expectations with personal happiness.
At its center stands Jenna Ortega, whose immense talent and magnetic presence once again prove why she is one of the most captivating actors of her generation. Alongside Percy Hynes White, who brings warmth and sincerity to his role, Ortega anchors a film that radiates youthful intensity and emotional authenticity.
A Storyline That Never Fails To Hit Just Right
The story follows Remi (Jenna Ortega), a high-achieving high school senior with her entire life meticulously planned around one goal: Harvard. Her trajectory is set in stone until she meets Barnes (Percy Hynes White), a free-spirited boy who challenges her worldview and nudges her toward experiencing life on her own terms.
The narrative is divided into four seasonal chapters—winter, spring, summer, and fall—mirroring the cycles of their relationship. This structure, while simple, adds a lyrical rhythm to the film, allowing us to witness the progression of Remi and Barnes’s romance with a sense of natural evolution. From their first meeting to the rush of young love, and ultimately to the difficult decisions that test their bond, the film uses its seasonal framing not as a gimmick, but as a way of grounding the relationship in time, growth, and change.
Though the plot treads familiar ground in the genre, it is executed with warmth and sincerity. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it focuses on emotional truth, creating a story that feels timeless in its simplicity.
A Cast To Die For
The true power of Winter Spring Summer or Fall lies in its performances.
Jenna Ortega as Remi: Ortega gives a remarkable performance, embodying Remi with determination, vulnerability, and quiet strength. She captures the suffocating pressure of parents who mistake control for support, while also allowing us to see the spark of a young woman learning to take ownership of her own choices. Ortega’s ability to oscillate between fragility and fierce independence makes Remi a deeply relatable protagonist. Her screen presence is magnetic—every glance, hesitation, and burst of emotion feels genuine, pulling the audience fully into Remi’s inner world.
Percy Hynes White as Barnes: White plays Barnes with a disarming sweetness. His boyish charm and open-hearted sincerity make him an ideal romantic lead, while his chemistry with Ortega feels organic and unforced. Every shared look between them radiates authenticity, reminding viewers of the intensity and purity of first love. White ensures that Barnes is not just a “love interest,” but a fully realized character who helps Remi grow without overshadowing her journey.
Together, Ortega and White create an onscreen partnership that feels electric and honest. Their connection is the heart of the film, and it’s what makes the story resonate long after the credits roll.
A Blunt Emotional Impact
One of the most striking elements of the film is its exploration of the tension between expectation and self-determination. Remi’s parents, portrayed by Marisol Nichols and Adam Rodriguez, embody a suffocating brand of “support,” where control is masked as encouragement. Their pressure to keep Remi on the “perfect” path strips her of agency, leaving viewers to share her frustration and longing for freedom.
In contrast, Barnes represents possibility, spontaneity, and the belief that life’s meaning is not confined to achievements or résumés. His presence in Remi’s life doesn’t diminish her ambition but reframes it, reminding her—and the audience—that success should not come at the cost of joy.
The film also delivers a thoughtful commentary on teenage love. Too often dismissed as fleeting or trivial, the emotions of adolescence are here treated with respect and gravity. Winter Spring Summer or Fall insists that first love matters—that the feelings of young people are as profound, valid, and transformative as any experienced in adulthood.
The Best of Movie Formulas
Winter Spring Summer or Fall may follow a familiar formula, but it shines because of the heart poured into its characters and the brilliance of its performances. Jenna Ortega, in particular, elevates the film with her immense talent, commanding presence, and emotional depth. She transforms what could have been a straightforward teen romance into a powerful story of growth, agency, and love. Percy Hynes White’s charming performance complements hers beautifully, and together, they create a cinematic romance that feels both timeless and fresh.
This is a film for anyone who has ever felt the pressure of expectations, for anyone who has struggled to define themselves, and for anyone who remembers the intoxicating highs and aching lows of first love. Sweet, tender, and emotionally authentic, Winter Spring Summer or Fall is a romance worth revisiting with every season.
It is a heartfelt coming-of-age story elevated by Jenna Ortega’s immense talent and undeniable presence. A must-watch for romance lovers and fans of emotionally rich character-driven films.
