With movie theaters reopening in some areas, it’s tempting to catch some new flicks. But are any of the newest releases worth your time? Thankfully, I recently watched Words on Bathroom Walls in theaters.
Overall, how the movie portrayed mental illness impressed me, and I loved the message that the film conveys.
Words on Bathroom Walls follows Adam, a high school senior who gets expelled from school for having a “psychotic break” as a result of undiagnosed, untreated schizophrenia. Adam hears voices and hallucinates people, some of whom are positive influences and others of whom are more volatile. He transfers to a Catholic school after his expulsion, and the rest of the movie plays out like a young adult rom-com.
This film handles the elements of mental illness and religion well. For one, Adam’s symptoms in the movie are very real symptoms of schizophrenia. The film also doesn’t demonize Adam’s mental illness, so the audience is able to empathize with the main character. Furthermore, the dynamic between Adam and the priest he sees for confession is a fantastic portrayal of ministry in action. The religious element of the film is not shown in a hateful way, either. Some of the religious figures seem a bit ill-informed, but they’re willing to learn and be present for those who face emotional distress.
This movie also shed light of the stigma that boys and men with mental health conditions face.
Our society often encourages men to hide their emotions as if their silence somehow makes them stronger. Words on Bathroom Walls does a good job of encouraging men to openly express how they feel and reducing the shame around the topic of men’s mental health. This is a message that we desperately need in today’s world.
However, the film could have had a more accurate portrayal of mental health confidentiality. In one scene, the psychiatrist relays every detail of the session with Adam to Adam’s parents. Disclosing everything that happens in a mental health session breaks confidentiality laws and could essentially make viewers wonder whether or not they can trust mental health professionals to stay ethical. Showing a psychiatrist refuse to respect boundaries or ethics is dangerous, and we shouldn’t glorify it in a movie.
Although this movie is a bit formulaic in its rom-com plot, I recommend it to young adults and people who have mental illness. If you want to see an accurate portrayal of schizophrenia on screen, Words on Bathroom Walls is a solid choice.
Feature Image via Instagram
