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Winter Spring Summer or Fall

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not to be confused with Winter Spring Summer Fall or Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring.
Winter Spring Summer or Fall
The two lead characters from the film appear in the poster, depicting a girl (Remi) putting her head on a boy's (Barnes) shoulder.
Release poster
Directed byTiffany Paulsen
Screenplay byDan Schoffer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyGraham Robbins
Edited bySimon Davidson
Music byZac Rae
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • June 6, 2024 (2024-06-06) (Tribeca Festival)
  • April 25, 2025 (2025-04-25) (United States)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Winter Spring Summer or Fall is a 2024 American romantic drama film directed by Tiffany Paulsen from a screenplay by Dan Schoffer. It is produced by Josh Shader of Wall Fly, Brad Krevoy of Motion Picture Corporation of America, and David M. Wulf. Starring Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White in leading roles, the story follows four segments in different seasons, showing two teenagers who fall in love over four days in a year.

Filming took place in late-2022 in Salt Lake City after about two years of development. Distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 6, 2024, and was released digitally on April 25, 2025.

Plot

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One winter day, Barnes Hawthorne sees Remi Aguilar on their way to New York City, having sneaked her earlier at P.J.'s neighborhood. They meet on the train and strike up a conversation about their future plans; Remi aspires to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer like her parents, while Barnes plans an aimless gap year. Remi suggests some hobbies to him, like volunteering for sea turtles or working for a music group, while Barnes suggests a playlist of Talking Heads to her. Coincidentally, as they reach their stop, Remi is struck by a cyclist and needs stitches. At the hospital, Remi gently declines Barnes' date, explaining that she does not want such a person at the moment, having not yet socialized other than with her parents. Paths separate, as Remi has a tour to Columbia University, while Barnes has to attend a concert.

Months later, on the prom day during spring, Remi's parents give her an unsolicited sex talk despite her resistance and hand her a few condoms just in case. In response, Remi's date, Lucas, assumes she intends to sleep with him, which she denies. Elsewhere, Barnes asks his mother if he can borrow the car to take his ex-girlfriend, Erica, to the prom. Remi unexpectedly reconnects with Barnes as their dates have ditched them at the prom. Inspired by the Barnes' playlist, they dance to "Burning Down the House". But when a slow song comes on, Barnes offers Remi to leave for sushi.

During the dinner, Barnes reveals fluency in Japanese, having grown up in Japan, where his single mother worked as an Army medic. Afterward, he takes Remi to his house and assures her he has no bad intentions. They smoke the joint Remi got from P.J. at the prom. Barnes admits he wanted to see Remi again, and he is considering volunteering in Costa Rica, inspired by her suggestion. Remi reminds him she is leaving for Harvard in four months. Undeterred, the two kiss and stay together for the summer.

On a day in summer, Remi and Barnes, while smoking on P.J.'s roof, watch Remi's dad paint their house crimson in honor of Remi going to Harvard. Encouraged by Barnes, Remi, however, tells her parents that she has also been contemplating to volunteer in Costa Rica for months now. But her parents react angrily, considering her future. Instead, Remi brushes them off and leaves with Barnes to celebrate the 4th of July at a lake house. There, Remi crashes P.J.'s jeep while drunk driving, and argues with Barnes that a gap year is not the right decision, ultimately breaking up the three-month-long relationship.

In the fall, Remi is attending Harvard and works as a waitress as well. She sees on Instagram that Barnes is also in Boston, and starts chatting. They catch up on campus as they miss each other, but agree that their breakup may have been for the best. Remi invites him to a Halloween party, but he has a concert that night, as he assists a record label and is touring with a band. Encouraged by her friends, Remi crashes into the concert venue, confesses she still has feelings for Barnes, and asks if they can reconcile despite the challenges. Barnes gently reminds they are better off as friends. Remi respects his decision and leaves crying.

Later, the band also encourages Barnes to express his true feelings for her, after which he realizes his mistake in turning her down. Surprisingly to Remi, the band helps Barnes by serenading her outside her dorm. Remi comes out, and the two share unspoken glances before reuniting with a kiss.

Cast

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  • Jenna Ortega as Remi Aguilar
  • Percy Hynes White as Barnes Hawthorne
  • Marisol Nichols as Carmen, Remi's mother
  • Elias Kacavas as P.J.
  • Adam Rodriguez as Javier, Remi's father
  • Jacqueline Emerson as Robyn
  • Evangeline Barrosse as herself
  • Kate Rachesky as Wendy
  • Alexis Zollicoffer as Sheryl
  • Garet Allen as Dean
  • Larkin Bell as Saira
  • Corynn Treadwell as Ashley Middleton
  • Kylee Anderson as Erica Morris
  • Langi Tuifua as Connor Frisk
  • Joey Miyashima as Kenji
  • Wendy Joseph as Kate
  • Ahaise as Wade
  • Bridget Oberlin as Stevie, Barnes' mother
  • Terran Lowe as Lucas
  • B.Z. Collins as a bouncer
  • Michael "Mike" Turner as a bassist
  • Cameron Foremaster as a guitarist
  • Brianna Wendorf as a drummer
  • Mark Provencher as Mr. Provencher

Production

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Devopment

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After she had done Holidate in 2020, Tiffany Paulsen received an early version of the script by Dan Schoffer, through the co-producer Josh Shader. They collaborated to finalize the script, took inspirations by Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise, and titled the project Winter Spring Summer or Fall. Paulsen, originally a screenwriter, took the responsibility to direct her first film. Brad Krevoy and David M. Wulf also joined as co-producers.[2][3][4]

Casting and filming

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Ortega (left) and Hynes (right) appeared as teenage lovers; the two also starred in Netflix series Wednesday (2022) while they were filming for the Winter Spring Summer or Fall. The director called their bond as "lightning in a bottle", and called Ortega as the filmmakers' "first choice" and "dream team", while recalling her tight schedule with availability of about "11 days" window.[2][4][5]

Paulsen cast Jenna Ortega just before the latter went on to film Wednesday in September 2021, or be known as "Gen Z's scream queen".[a] Reportedly, this has been Ortega's first romantic role and she has also served as an executive producer. Her primary choice had been horror films and she has expressed of not liking the romantic genres.[6][7][8][2]

After about two years of pre-production, the principal photography began on Halloween, in October 2022, at Salt Lake City, Utah, with Percy Hynes White joining opposite Ortega in lead.[2][5][9][7] Meanwhile, the cast was given a three-week break to cover promotional events for their then-upcoming series Wednesday, which later became the second most-watched series on the platform.[10][11][4]

Over the time, Motion Picture Corporation of America revealed to the Deadline Hollywood that Adam Rodriguez and Marisol Nichols were signed in as Ortega's character's parents.[12][13] Before she had cast Hynes, the director wanted Kacavas in lead role, but he instead chose to play the lead pair's neighbor/friend.[14][2][5] Evangeline Barrosse, an indie musician, was discovered and approached to perform her original songs in the film, which she accepted excitedly.[15][3]

The film is set in the East Coast of the United States and depicts one day each from four seasons; winter, spring, summer, and fall, so the set and the wardrobe had to be designed accordingly despite being filmed in winter season with limited sunny days. Gabriel Jessop and Alyson Hancey served as the production designer and costume designer respectively. Paulsen also took David Byrne's formal permission to use song "Burning Down the House".[2][3]

Post-production

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After the filming wrapped up, the post-production phase started in January 2023, but the release was shelved. Graham Robbins served as the cinematographer, Simon Davidson as film editor, and Michael "Mike" Turner as the music supervisor, while Zac Rae has composed the film score.[16][17][2][3][1]

Music

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Winter Spring Summer or Fall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Zac Rae, Evangeline
ReleasedApril 25, 2025 (2025-04-25)
Recorded2022–2023
GenreIndie music[3]
Length31:06
LabelLakeshore Records
External media
Audio
audio icon Full album on iTunes
Video
video icon "What Are You Doing Later?" on YouTube
Singles from Winter Spring Summer or Fall
  1. "What Are You Doing Later?"
    Released: April 23, 2025 (2025-04-23)

The soundtrack album was released by Lakeshore Records via music streaming services on April 25, 2025. The tracks 1–4 are songs by Evangeline, while tracks 5–19 are score by Zac Rae.

Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
No.TitleLength
1."Windansea"3:42
2."Will"3:17
3."Meet Me Where I'm At"3:32
4."What Are You Doing Later?"3:19
5."Winter Train"0:56
6."Into the City"0:34
7."A Possibility"0:29
8."Lawyers and Love"1:07
9."Heading Uptown"0:39
10."Bicycle Waltz"1:10
11."Omakase"1:36
12."Outside Barnes House"0:31
13."A Floral Mr. Miyagi"0:57
14."Lakeside"1:39
15."Reconnecting"2:05
16."On the Bridge"1:26
17."Back to the Dorm"0:37
18."Am I an Idiot?"0:35
19."The Teenage Ritual" (End Credits)2:55
Total length:31:06

Release

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The film premiered at the 23rd Tribeca Festival on June 6, 2024.[18][19] It was released as premium video on demand by Paramount Pictures on April 25, 2025, and also had a limited theatrical release.[20][21]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 36% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10.[22]

Lovia Gyarkye praised the director while writing for The Hollywood Reporter, saying that she has an "intuitive sense" of making one blush by capturing close-ups of "the longing gazes" and "subtle touches" between the lead pair.[1] Belen Edwards commented for Mashable that this "Wednesday reunion is anything but charming" as their "romance feels more like horror".[23] Writing for Next Best Picture, Lauren LaMagna praised it as a "unique coming-of-age story", which is both "heartwarming and heartbreaking" and "captures the essence of first love".[24] Will Bjarnar commented for InSession Film that the film "is hardly ever convincing, let alone natural".[25] For Paste, Jesse Hassenger called it "more than a little cheap-looking" movie, which is "full of heartfelt contrivances".[26]

Notes

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  1. ^ Refer to Jenna Ortega, a "Gen Z's scream queen"

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lovia Gyarkye (June 7, 2024). "'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' Review: Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White Anchor a Feathery Romance". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Karen Benardello (June 16, 2024). "Tribeca/Winter Spring Summer or Fall: Interview with Director". Cinema Daily US. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e Owen Danoff (June 7, 2024). "Winter Spring Summer Or Fall Director Tiffany Paulsen On Jenna Ortega's First Romance". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Hilary Lewis (June 19, 2024). "'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' Director on Helming Her First Movie With Jenna Ortega, Percy Hynes White Amid 'Wednesday' Frenzy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Tim Lammers (June 5, 2024). "Director On Magic Of Jenna Ortega In New Movie With 'Wednesday' Co-Star". Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  6. ^ Bradley (September 13, 2021). "Tim Burton's 'Wednesday' Series Officially Begins Filming at Netflix [Exclusive]". Midgard Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Justin Kroll (December 15, 2022). "Jenna Ortega & Her 'Wednesday' Co-Star Percy Hynes White Reunite On Tiffany Paulsen's Directorial Debut 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Hunter Harris (March 7, 2023). "Jenna Ortega is watching you". Elle. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  9. ^ Katie Louise Smith (December 9, 2022). "Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White are playing love interests in a new romcom". Capital FM. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  10. ^ Adam Bentz (June 20, 2023). "Wednesday Finally Beats Stranger Things On Netflix's Most Popular Shows Chart (With A Twist) 4". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Ethan Shanfeld (January 14, 2025). "'Squid Game 2' Becomes Netflix's Third Most-Watched Season Ever, After 'Squid Game 1' and 'Wednesday'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  12. ^ Justin Kroll (December 16, 2022). "Adam Rodriguez Joins Jenna Ortega In 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Ashley Steves (February 22, 2023). "Marisol Nichols Joins Jenna Ortega in 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall'". Backstage. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  14. ^ Denise Petski (April 3, 2023). "'Pretty Little Liars: Summer School': Elias Kacavas Upped To Series Regular For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  15. ^ Sophia June (March 14, 2023). "Meet Evangeline, The Indie Musician About To Star Alongside Jenna Ortega". Nylon. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Ariz. Gilbert (May 16, 2024). "Mike Turner, a CRAS Graduate, Who Didn't Even Know What a Music Supervisor Was Until Age 30, Now Excels in His Career with Numerous Award Nomination and Wins". Recording Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Tim Lammers (June 5, 2024). "Percy Hynes White Director: 'I Look Forward To Working With Him Again'". Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  18. ^ Hilary Lewis (April 17, 2024). "Tribeca Festival 2024 to Feature Jenna Ortega, Kristen Stewart and Lily Gladstone Movies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Tim Lammers (May 6, 2024). "Jenna Ortega Movie With 'Wednesday' Co-Star Gets World Premiere Date". Forbes. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  20. ^ Alex West (April 15, 2025). "Little-known Jenna Ortega 2024 movie finally gets release date after controversy". The Mirror US. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  21. ^ Tim Lammers (April 25, 2025). "Jenna Ortega's 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall' Is New On Streaming - How To Watch". Forbes. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  22. ^ Winter Spring Summer or Fall at Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  23. ^ Belen Edwards (June 7, 2024). "'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' review: Jenna Ortega's romance makes us want to scream". Mashable. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  24. ^ Lauren LaMagna (June 8, 2024). ""Winter Spring Summer or Fall" - Review". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  25. ^ Will Bjarnar (June 12, 2024). "Movie Review (Tribeca 2024): 'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' is an Empty YA Romance". InSession Film. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  26. ^ Jesse Hassenger (June 17, 2024). "Winter Spring Summer or Fall Review: Jenna Ortega Says Anything". Paste Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
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