The Half of It Ending, LGBTQ Themes, and Parental Guide

Stats Line: Release date: May 1, 2020 · Director and writer: Alice Wu · Main cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire · Streaming platform: Netflix · Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

Is The Half of It a LGBTQ Movie?

Yes. The film centers on Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), a Chinese-American high school student who develops feelings for the popular and artistic Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire). Director Alice Wu is an out lesbian, and the film is widely regarded as a milestone in LGBTQ cinema (NPR). However, Wu intentionally avoids explicit identity labels, allowing the characters to simply exist as people navigating attraction and friendship.

The film’s portrayal of a lesbian protagonist

Ellie Chu is a quiet, introspective teen who writes love letters for her jock friend Paul (Daniel Diemer) to woo Aster—all while secretly falling for Aster herself. Vanity Fair describes Ellie as “a gay high schooler living with her widowed Chinese immigrant father in a conservative small town.” The film never uses the word “lesbian,” but Ellie’s attraction to Aster is unambiguous.

Critical reception of its LGBTQ representation

Critics praised the film for treating its queer romance with the same whimsy and earnestness as any heterosexual teen love story. The 96% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects broad approval, with many reviewers noting that the film’s emotional honesty about first love and identity feels universal (Rotten Tomatoes). The implication: the film succeeded by normalizing queer desire within a familiar genre framework, not by flagging it as exceptional.

What Is the Ending of The Half of It?

The ending rejects the traditional romantic payoff. Ellie confesses her feelings to Aster, they share a kiss, and then Ellie leaves for Grinnell College alone. Paul, who has developed feelings for Ellie, accepts her friendship and helps her win a scholarship by selling his sausages at a church carnival (ET Online).

Ellie, Paul, and Aster’s final decisions

• Ellie: Chooses honesty (confesses to Aster) and independence (leaves for college).
• Paul: Transforms from a lovesick jock into a loyal friend, celebrating Ellie’s scholarship win.
• Aster: Remains in their small town, but smiles when she sees Ellie’s graffiti on the church wall—a silent acknowledgment of what they shared.

The film’s departure from typical romance endings

Most teen romances end with the couple together. Wu defies that expectation. ScreenRant notes that Ellie and Aster “are not girlfriends at the end” but the final conversation “leaves room for a future relationship.” The catch: the film prioritizes self-discovery over relationship status, arguing that sometimes the bravest love story is the one you walk away from.

Do Ellie and Aster Kiss in The Half of It?

Yes. Ellie and Aster share a brief but pivotal kiss during the school trip to the museum (ET Online). The moment is tender and electric—but it is not the climax of a romantic union. Instead, it serves as a confirmation of Ellie’s feelings, a turning point propelling her toward honesty.

The context and significance of the kiss

The kiss occurs in a private moment among museum exhibits, away from the judgment of their conservative small town. It is awkward, sweet, and brief—a teenage kiss, not a cinematic fantasy. Wu frames it as a moment of connection rather than conquest.

How the kiss contrasts with typical romantic climaxes

In most rom-coms, the final kiss signals the start of the relationship. Here, the kiss is the starting pistol for Ellie’s departure, not her union. The pattern: Wu subverts the “kiss equals ending” formula, suggesting that a kiss can be a goodbye.

Do Paul and Ellie End Up Together in The Half of It?

No. Paul develops feelings for Ellie, but she does not reciprocate romantically. Their bond remains platonic and deepens into genuine friendship by the film’s end. Paul’s final act of support—selling sausages to fund Ellie’s scholarship— demonstrates his growth from infatuation to selfless friendship.

The nature of Paul and Ellie’s relationship

Paul begins as a typical jock who asks Ellie to help him woo Aster. As they spend time together, he falls for Ellie—but she gently does not return those feelings. The film treats their friendship with seriousness, showing that Paul’s love for Ellie is no less valuable for being non-romantic.

Paul’s unrequited feelings and his final act of support

Paul’s arc is the most conventional—he pines for the girl who loves another—but his choice to support Ellie anyway is a quiet act of maturity. The implication: the film values friendship as a love story of its own.

Is The Half of It a Sad Ending?

Bittersweet, not tragic. Ellie’s departure is melancholic, but it signifies personal growth and self-acceptance (Vanity Fair). Reviewers and audiences often describe the ending as emotionally resonant and moving. The film offers hope—Ellie is leaving for college, Paul has found his own strength, and Aster has felt seen—but it refuses to wrap everything in a bow.

The emotional complexity of the ending

The final scenes include: a kiss, a train departure, and a mischievous spray-painting on a church wall. These three images create a mix of loss, hope, and rebellion. The catch: the film trusts young audiences to handle emotional complexity.

Audience reactions to the non-traditional resolution

Some viewers find the ending frustrating, precisely because it denies the catharsis of a couple getting together. Others find it more realistic and emotionally honest. Community discussions on Reddit reflect this split, with some praising the film’s bravery and others wishing for a clearer resolution.

Is There Anything Inappropriate in The Half of It?

The film is rated PG-13 for brief language and suggestive material (Rotten Tomatoes). There is no explicit sexual content, but a same-sex kiss occurs. Parents may want to be aware of the LGBTQ theme and the film’s treatment of identity, but the content is appropriate for most teens. The film addresses themes of loneliness, religious hypocrisy (the town’s conservative Christianity), and young love—all suitable for mature middle-schoolers and up.

Content warnings from IMDb and other sources

Common sense media advisories note mild language (e.g., “ass,” “hell”) and one scene of underage drinking at a party. The film includes brief conversations about sex but no depiction of it. The LGBTQ theme is central but handled without explicit sexual content.

Themes and language that may concern parents

The film’s treatment of LGBTQ identity is gentle and respectful, but some parents may wish to discuss the themes of same-sex attraction with younger viewers. The portrayal of a conservative Christian community may also prompt conversations about religious tolerance and hypocrisy.

What Is the Cast of The Half of It?

The film features a talented ensemble led by Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, and Alexxis Lemire in the three central roles.

Leah Lewis as Ellie Chu

Leah Lewis (known from Nancy Drew) plays the introverted, intellectually gifted Ellie Chu. Lewis brings a quiet intensity to the role, capturing Ellie’s inner world of longing and fear. She was widely praised for her nuanced performance as a queer Asian-American teen (Netflix).

Daniel Diemer as Paul Munsky

Daniel Diemer plays Paul Munsky, the sweet but dim jock who hires Ellie to write love letters. Diemer’s performance transforms Paul from a comic sidekick to a genuinely empathetic character whose growth is as important as Ellie’s (Netflix).

Alexxis Lemire as Aster Flores

Alexxis Lemire portrays Aster Flores, the popular girl who feels trapped by her town’s expectations. Lemire gives Aster depth beyond “the crush,” showing her as someone navigating her own pressures around family, faith, and identity (Netflix).

The supporting cast includes Enrique Murciano, Becky Ann Baker, Catherine Curtin, Wolfgang Novogratz, Collin Chou, Macintyre Dixon, and other performers listed on Rotten Tomatoes.

Timeline of the Film’s Release

The pattern: a festival premiere followed by streaming release is typical for Netflix original films, but the timing (during early pandemic lockdowns) contributed to the film’s cultural impact as audiences sought intimate, emotional stories at home.

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