film / 2017
Wonder
Auggie's first year in school becomes a family and friendship story about courage, cruelty, and everyday kindness.
Verified facts
- Runtime
- 1h 53m
- Director
- Stephen Chbosky
- Released
- 2017
- Based on
- Wonder
PlotGeeks explainer signals
Why read this explainer
Auggie's arrival changes the routines of classmates and family. Watch how embarrassment and loyalty affect the smaller choices that lead toward belonging.
PlotGeeks note
The award gathers changes made through ordinary interactions. Its hope depends on the film having shown friendship's failures alongside its repair.
Connected knowledge
Connected in PlotGeeks
Related explainers and browse pages for Wonder.
- Compare with Wonder (2012 book)
Compare what changes between the 2012 book and the 2017 film.
Timeline
Major events
- Auggie starts school
His family ends homeschooling and enrolls him at Beecher Prep.
- Halloween betrayal
He overhears Jack making cruel remarks.
- Jack repairs the friendship
Jack apologizes and chooses Auggie over Julian's approval.
- Graduation recognition
Auggie receives a medal after the school year.
Story in 60 Seconds
The short version
After years of homeschooling, Auggie Pullman enters fifth grade at Beecher Prep. His facial differences draw stares and bullying, but friendship with Jack gives him a place in the classroom. That trust breaks when Auggie overhears Jack mocking him at Halloween. Summer offers friendship without the same conditions, and Jack eventually recognizes the harm he caused. Meanwhile, Auggie's sister Via struggles with feeling overlooked at home. The school year follows several people learning that kindness requires choices, especially when those choices risk social approval.
Spoiler sectionEnding ExplainedShow ending detailsHide ending details
Auggie receives the Henry Ward Beecher Medal at graduation after a year of friendships, conflict, and growing confidence. His classmates' changed behavior matters alongside the public award: boys who once joined in bullying defend him on the school retreat. Via's own relationships also improve. Recognition closes the year without making Auggie responsible for curing everyone else's prejudice.
Original context
Why it matters
What the conflict reveals
Jack's friendship with Auggie must survive the hurt caused by fear of others' judgment. The repair makes belonging something classmates have to choose and maintain.
Key turning points
Jack repairs the friendship
Overhearing Jack changes Auggie's understanding of their friendship because private kindness has not survived peer pressure. Repair requires Jack to take responsibility for his behavior.
Character links
Who connects to whom
Character motivations
What drives the characters
Auggie wants ordinary friendship without being treated as a lesson. Jack's wish to fit in initially competes with loyalty, while Via wants room for her own needs.
Adaptation