Isabela Merced Leads John Green’s Turtles All The Way Down Trailer

Max is bringing John Green’s novel Turtles All the Way Down to life with the release of its trailer. Directed by Hannah Marks and written by executive producers Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, the film stars Isabela Merced as Aza Holmes, Cree Cucchino as Daisy Ramirez, and Felix Mallard as Davis.

In the trailer, Billie Eilish's “Bad Guy" plays as Aza experiences what Daisy calls a “thought spiral.” She is trapped by her anxiety, consumed by the idea that our bodies are just “ready for infection.” She secretly yearns to live a life filled with love, but has made up her mind that she can’t, even though her therapist assures her that plenty of people with anxiety disorders lead fulfilling lives. But there’s a boy — of course, there is. His name is Davis. They were once summer friends, and though Daisy thinks it could be more, Aza isn't quite sure herself.

On a double date, she again finds herself spiraling with negative thoughts, telling herself she can’t have a boyfriend, go to college, or control her brain. Yet, as she is consumed by this, we watch as Davis reassures her. As Aza lets go a little, it’s difficult but not impossible. She is celebrated and honored by those who love her, and Davis isn’t worried about her anxiety. He sees her and it’s clear she sees him, but is that enough? Daisy, her best friend, is her sounding board. She loves her and it seems she will be the one to help her see herself how everyone else sees her, as she says, “Aza, for once in your life, do not overthink this.”

This film is bringing us a lot of heart, but it's also tackling the big issue of anxiety in a real way. Joining Merced, Cucchino, and Mallard will be Maliq Johnson, Poorna Jagannathan, Judy Reyes, and J. Smith-Cameron.

Want to see how Aza's story ends? Turtles All the Way Down will be released on Max on May 2.