The Fault in Our Stars (2014) is a heartwarming and heartbreaking film adaptation of John Green’s best-selling novel. Directed by Josh Boone, this emotional drama tells the story of two teenagers, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, who fall in love while navigating the challenges of living with cancer. With its profound themes of love, loss, and mortality, the film captivated audiences worldwide.
Explore why The Fault in Our Stars became a cultural phenomenon, leaving viewers deeply moved by its message of cherishing life, no matter how fragile it may be.
1. Introduction
Released in 2014, The Fault in Our Stars is a tearjerker that tells a moving story of love, illness, and the fragility of life.
Directed by Josh Boone and based on John Green’s best-selling novel, the film captures the hearts of viewers with its emotional depth and poignant themes. The film speaks to anyone who has ever grappled with the idea of loss, making it both universal and personal.
But what exactly makes The Fault in Our Stars so memorable? Let’s dive into its world.
2. Background on The Fault in Our Stars
John Green’s novel, The Fault in Our Stars, was published in 2012 and quickly became a global phenomenon. It resonated with both young adults and older readers due to its realistic portrayal of love, illness, and death.
Hollywood soon picked up the rights to adapt it for the big screen, and in 2014, the film was born. It starred Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster and Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters, two teenagers navigating love while dealing with the burden of cancer.
3. Storyline of The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars is a poignant coming-of-age romantic drama that follows the emotional journey of two teenagers brought together by their shared experiences with cancer. The story centers on Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl from Indianapolis who has been living with thyroid cancer that has metastasized to her lungs. Dependent on an oxygen tank and nasal cannula to breathe, Hazel has grown increasingly introspective and withdrawn, consumed by the reality of her terminal illness.
In an effort to combat what she perceives as Hazel’s growing depression, Frannie Lancaster, her well-meaning mother, urges her to attend a local support group for young cancer patients. Though Hazel initially resents the idea, she eventually agrees. The group is held in a church basement led by a quirky survivor named Patrick, who insists they meet in the “literal heart of Jesus.”
It is at this support group that Hazel meets Augustus “Gus” Waters, a charming and confident 17-year-old who is in remission from osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that claimed his right leg. Gus is attending the session to support his best friend Isaac, who is facing surgery to remove his remaining eye due to cancer. From their first conversation, Hazel and Gus spark a connection. Gus’s humor and philosophical curiosity captivate Hazel, while her intelligence and honesty intrigue him in return.
After the meeting, Augustus invites Hazel to his home, and they bond over movies, video games, and their favorite books. Augustus lends Hazel his copy of The Prince of Dawn, and in turn, Hazel recommends her favorite novel: An Imperial Affliction, a fictional book about a girl with cancer written by a reclusive author named Peter Van Houten. The novel is significant to Hazel not only because of its realistic portrayal of terminal illness but also due to its abrupt and unresolved ending, which haunts her.
As their friendship deepens, Augustus becomes equally fascinated by An Imperial Affliction and grows determined to find out what happens to the characters after the book ends. He contacts Van Houten’s assistant, Lidewij Vliegenthart, and discovers that Van Houten is now living in Amsterdam. To Hazel’s surprise, Augustus uses his “Genie” wish (a fictional version of the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted to terminally ill children) not for himself, but to take Hazel to Amsterdam so they can meet Van Houten and get answers directly from the source.
Before the trip, Hazel suffers a medical setback and ends up in the ICU due to fluid buildup in her lungs. Although her condition seems to worsen, her doctors eventually agree to let her travel, aware that it might be her last opportunity to experience such an adventure. Her mother insists on accompanying them, and the trio embarks on the journey with cautious hope.
Upon arriving in Amsterdam, Hazel and Augustus enjoy a luxurious dinner arranged by Van Houten’s assistant, during which Augustus confesses his love for Hazel. The following day, however, their highly anticipated meeting with Van Houten turns sour. Rather than being the wise and thoughtful figure Hazel imagined, Van Houten is revealed to be a bitter and drunken recluse, uninterested in their questions and openly mocking their conditions. It is revealed that Lidewij arranged the meeting without Van Houten’s knowledge, hoping it might inspire a change in him.
Heartbroken but not defeated, Hazel and Gus are comforted by Lidewij, who takes them on a tour of the Anne Frank House, an emotionally stirring experience for both teens. In the attic of the house, they share a meaningful kiss, symbolizing their growing bond and mutual understanding of pain, legacy, and love. That night, back at the hotel, they lose their virginity to each other, sealing their emotional connection with physical intimacy and vulnerability.
But their moment of happiness is short-lived.
The day after their emotional night together in Amsterdam, Augustus reveals devastating news to Hazel: his cancer has returned and has spread throughout his body. He explains that a recent PET scan showed widespread metastasis, and the disease is now terminal. Despite trying to protect Hazel from the reality of his condition during their trip, Augustus now chooses to be honest with her, fully aware of how little time he has left.
This revelation shifts the tone of their relationship from hopeful exploration to courageous acceptance. Hazel is overwhelmed, not only by the fear of losing Augustus but also by her own sense of helplessness. Their roles are now reversed: the girl who thought she would be the first to go is now the one who must watch someone she loves slip away.
Back in Indianapolis, Augustus’s condition deteriorates rapidly. Once a vibrant and charismatic figure, he becomes increasingly frail and dependent on his parents and friends for basic care. Hazel remains by his side through it all, attending hospital visits, comforting him during panic attacks, and ensuring he feels loved in his final days. Their bond deepens even further, fueled not by romance alone but by mutual understanding of mortality and what it means to leave a mark on the world.
In a particularly poignant moment, Augustus invites Hazel and Isaac—who is now blind following the removal of his second eye—to his own “pre-funeral.” He asks them to read the eulogies they would give at his actual funeral so he can hear what they truly think of him while he’s still alive. The gathering takes place in the Literal Heart of Jesus, the same church basement where they first met. Hazel’s speech is heartfelt and tearful, filled with gratitude and admiration. She tells Augustus that while she feared becoming a “grenade” and hurting others, loving him was worth everything—even the inevitable pain.
Eight days later, Augustus Waters dies.
Hazel is consumed with grief, yet she handles it with a kind of mature stillness. At Augustus’s actual funeral, which is held at the same church, Hazel is surprised to see Peter Van Houten in attendance. The once-cynical and hostile author reveals that he came because Augustus insisted, writing to him prior to his death. Van Houten also confesses that An Imperial Affliction was inspired by his own daughter, Anna, who died of leukemia at a young age—making Hazel’s emotional connection to the novel all the more profound.
Though still bitter about her earlier encounter with him, Hazel listens as Van Houten offers an awkward apology and a letter—written by Augustus in his final days. Initially dismissing it, Hazel later retrieves the letter after Isaac reveals its true significance. It is a eulogy written not for Augustus’s funeral, but for Hazel’s—one he had secretly asked Van Houten to help with.
After Augustus’s death, Hazel finds herself in a quiet storm of grief. The boy who once radiated charm, defiance, and humor has become another memory in the long list of losses cancer has dealt her. Though surrounded by sympathy and well-wishers, she feels an isolating emptiness—something that words, gestures, and casseroles from neighbors cannot reach.
At Augustus’s funeral, Hazel sits solemnly beside her parents as Peter Van Houten approaches her once again. Still clearly battling his own emotional demons, the author’s demeanor has shifted slightly—less combative, more wounded. He tells Hazel that An Imperial Affliction was inspired by his daughter, Anna, who died of leukemia, much like Hazel’s condition. His bitterness and alcoholism stem from his inability to cope with that loss. Though Hazel listens, she is still disillusioned by the man who once shattered her illusions in Amsterdam. His apology is noted, but not fully accepted.
Later, Hazel’s friend Isaac, still blind but ever insightful, shares with her the truth about the letter Augustus left behind. Van Houten didn’t just attend the funeral out of guilt—he brought the letter Augustus wrote to him in the hope that it might be passed on to Hazel. It is not a letter of complaint or self-pity but a eulogy written by Augustus for Hazel, expressing the depth of his love and admiration for her.
In the letter, Augustus speaks directly to Van Houten, asking him to help express what Hazel means to him because he knows Hazel loves the author’s work. He writes that he hopes Hazel likes the eulogy and that he considers her a miracle. He tells Van Houten that Hazel is not a grenade, as she once feared—she’s someone who gave his life meaning, even as it was nearing its end.
Hazel reads the letter slowly, absorbing every word. Through Augustus’s reflections, she gains a clearer understanding not only of the love they shared but of her own place in the world. In a poetic final scene, Hazel lies on her back in her yard, looking up at the stars—echoing the film’s title—and smiles. There is pain, but also peace.
The film ends not with grand revelations or miraculous cures, but with emotional honesty and acceptance. Hazel doesn’t get a fairytale ending, but she gains clarity, closure, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly loved and remembered.
The conclusion of The Fault in Our Stars marks a deeply personal turning point for Hazel Grace Lancaster. While the plot itself closes with the quiet reading of Augustus’s final letter and Hazel’s reflective gaze into the night sky, the emotional resonance extends far beyond the last scene. In many ways, Hazel’s journey is not about surviving her illness, but about understanding how to live meaningfully in the face of inevitable loss. The story refrains from the clichés typical of romantic dramas or cancer narratives. Instead, it opts for something more grounded: emotional authenticity.
Augustus’s death does not come as a shock—it’s foreshadowed, prepared for, and presented without melodrama. What makes it so powerful is the way it forces Hazel to reconcile her own fears. Throughout the film, Hazel frequently refers to herself as a “grenade,” someone whose death will cause pain to everyone she loves. Her greatest fear is not dying itself, but leaving behind sorrow. However, through Augustus’s unwavering affection and his letter, she learns that love is worth the hurt. He doesn’t regret loving her, even though he knew it would end in heartbreak.
This revelation helps Hazel begin to accept that she is not a burden, but a person worthy of love, and capable of giving it in return. Her character arc moves from guarded cynicism to quiet hope. Hazel’s narrative doesn’t resolve with recovery or miracle treatments—it ends with peaceful acceptance and the empowerment that comes from embracing her vulnerability.
Moreover, the story circles back to its literary roots with An Imperial Affliction. The film subtly mirrors the structure of the fictional novel: both center on a terminally ill teenage girl, both address existential questions, and both end not with a sweeping conclusion but a space for reflection. Hazel’s final act of retrieving Augustus’s letter and internalizing his love gives her the closure she never found in Van Houten’s book.
Van Houten, for his part, remains an ambiguous character—flawed, grieving, and unable to process his own pain. Yet his inclusion in the final scenes underscores the film’s core message: grief may break people in different ways, but connection and storytelling can offer redemption. While Hazel does not forgive him outright, she gains understanding—and that, in itself, is a step forward.
Thematically, The Fault in Our Stars is layered with philosophical reflections on life, death, and meaning. The recurring word “okay” between Hazel and Augustus becomes more than a term of endearment—it is a symbol of acceptance. It tells the audience that it’s okay to fall in love, to be afraid, to hurt, to heal. And it’s okay not to have all the answers.
4. Narrative Style and Legacy
The film’s screenplay, adapted from John Green’s novel, maintains a fine balance between wit and emotional depth. The dialogue is sharp yet tender, capturing the precocious intelligence of its characters without becoming pretentious. The chemistry between Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort brings authenticity to every interaction—from awkward silences to heartbreaking confessions. Their performances elevate the story from sentimental to sublime.
Visually, the movie complements its themes with subdued lighting, symbolic locations (like the Anne Frank House), and metaphorical use of stars and light. Even small gestures—like the touch of oxygen tubes or the click of a prosthetic leg—become symbols of pain, endurance, and grace.
Despite dealing with death, the film is never nihilistic. In fact, it is a celebration of life in its briefest, most beautiful form. The story does not offer escape from mortality, but it does show that moments of joy, connection, and love are enough to make life meaningful.
In the end, The Fault in Our Stars stands as one of the most emotionally intelligent teen romances in modern cinema. It is a story that resonates not because it promises forever, but because it honors the value of “a little infinity”—even within a numbered set of days.
Hazel’s final words, echoed in her smile toward the sky, affirm this truth. Her journey may not have the closure she hoped for, but it finds something far more profound: the realization that she was deeply loved and that love, in itself, is eternal.
5. Hazel Grace Lancaster’s Character
Hazel Grace is not your typical teenage heroine. Her perspective is shaped by her chronic illness, which she confronts with dry wit and introspection. As a result of her cancer,
Hazel carries an oxygen tank wherever she goes, and this constant reminder of her condition influences her every decision. Despite her illness, Hazel is resilient, clever, and full of heart.
Augustus Waters: The Charismatic Hero
Augustus, played by Ansel Elgort, is a character full of life, even while facing death. He exudes confidence and a sense of adventure that contrasts with Hazel’s cautious outlook.
Augustus is passionate about metaphors, one of which becomes a recurring motif throughout the film—the unlit cigarette he holds but never lights, symbolizing his defiance of death.
6. Major Themes Explored in the Film
Love and Loss
At its core, The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, but it’s not the traditional “happily ever after” kind. The romance between Hazel and Augustus is fragile, fleeting, and bittersweet.
The film doesn’t shy away from the reality of loss, reminding us that love, though beautiful, doesn’t always last forever.
Coping with Mortality
Hazel and Augustus are both acutely aware of their mortality. The film’s candid exploration of how young people deal with terminal illness is one of its strongest points.
It doesn’t sugarcoat the pain, fear, or sadness that comes with facing death but also shows how these characters continue to live fully in the time they have.
7. Symbolism in the Film
One of the film’s standout features is its use of symbolism. From stars to cigarettes, the film is rich with metaphors that add depth to the characters’ struggles and experiences.
The Metaphor of the Cigarette
One of the most memorable symbols in the movie is Augustus’ unlit cigarette. He holds it between his lips, but he never lights it. “It’s a metaphor,” he says, explaining that it’s his way of putting death between his teeth without giving it the power to kill him.
The cigarette represents control over a life that feels uncontrollable.
8. The Importance of Supporting Characters
Beyond Hazel and Augustus, the film is also filled with impactful supporting characters.
Hazel’s Parents
Hazel’s relationship with her parents, especially her mother, is a crucial element of the film. Her parents’ unwavering support and love provide Hazel with the emotional foundation she needs to face her illness.
Isaac’s Story
Isaac, Augustus’ best friend, also plays an important role. His journey through loss and grief after losing his sight and girlfriend adds another layer of emotional complexity to the story.
Emotional Impact of the Film
There’s no denying that The Fault in Our Stars is a tearjerker. From heartwarming moments to gut-wrenching scenes, the film is designed to tug at the heartstrings. The raw, honest portrayal of love and loss leaves audiences reaching for tissues by the end.
9. Critical Reception and Box Office Performance
The Fault in Our Stars was met with largely positive reviews from critics. It was praised for its sensitive handling of heavy subject matter and strong performances by Woodley and Elgort.
The film grossed over $300 million worldwide, making it a box-office success.
10. Differences Between the Book and the Movie
As with most adaptations, there were differences between the book and the film. Some minor characters and scenes were omitted for time, and certain internal monologues from Hazel were trimmed.
Despite these changes, fans generally felt the film stayed true to the novel’s spirit.
11. Conclusion
Even years after its release, The Fault in Our Stars continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Its timeless exploration of love, loss, and the human condition makes it more than just a teenage romance.
It’s a story about how we cope with the inevitable and find meaning in life, no matter how short or painful it might be.
12. FAQs
1. What is the main message of The Fault in Our Stars?
The main message is that life, no matter how short or painful, is meaningful. It shows how love, even in difficult times, is worth experiencing.
2. How is the title The Fault in Our Stars significant?
The title refers to a line from Shakespeare’s *Julius Caesar*, which suggests that our fates are determined by forces beyond our control, like the stars.
3. Is The Fault in Our Stars based on a true story?
While the story is fictional, it was inspired by John Green’s experiences with young cancer patients and their real-life struggles.
4. Why does Augustus never light his cigarette?
The cigarette is a metaphor for Augustus’ control over death. By not lighting it, he symbolically refuses to let death control him.
5. What are the differences between the book and the movie?
The movie leaves out some scenes and character moments from the book, but overall, it stays faithful to the novel’s themes and tone.
