To All the Boys I've Loved Before 2018

The cinematic narrative commences with Lara Jean Song-Covey (Lana Condor) lost in a whimsical reverie where she envisions herself sharing a tender moment with longtime companion Josh Sanderson (Israel Broussard) amidst a picturesque meadow. However, her reverie is promptly interrupted by her younger sister Kitty’s (Anna Cathcart) playful teasing, prompting the sisters to embark on an impromptu outing.

Lara Jean resides with her sisters, Kitty and Margot (Janel Parrish), as well as their father, Dan (John Corbett). Josh, who has been dating Margot, is preparing for his impending departure as she embarks on a journey to Scotland before pursuing higher education. This development ultimately leads to the couple’s amicable breakup, as their mother had instilled in them the importance of not having a romantic partner prior to starting college.

Through a narrative voiceover, Lara Jean reflects that she and Josh have maintained a strong friendship even preceding his relationship with Margot. She confesses to having penned a heartfelt love letter to express her true feelings, but kept it stored away in a treasured box gifted by her late mother. This box contains five letters, each addressed to a different individual: Josh, Kenny from camp, Peter from 7th grade, Lucas from homecoming, and John Ambrose from Model UN.

As the family prepares to bid farewell to Margot at the airport, Lara Jean cannot help but notice the palpable sadness emanating from Josh. She begins her 11th-grade year with Kitty commencing her 6th-grade journey in September. Upon arriving at school, Lara Jean encounters Genevieve (Emilija Baranac), her former middle school confidante turned adversary due to Gen’s newfound popularity. In contrast, Lara Jean finds solace in the company of Christine (Madeleine Arthur), Gen’s cousin who harbors a disdain for her cousin’s perceived snobbery and pretentiousness.

Gen’s romantic partner is none other than Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), the boy whom Lara Jean had a secret crush on after sharing a fleeting kiss during a game of Spin The Bottle in their 7th-grade year. As she navigates her social life, Lara Jean stumbles upon Gen’s boyfriend at lunch and feels an awkward pang of guilt after failing to find her friend Chris. In an effort to clear her mind, she steps outside the cafeteria to catch up with Josh, who is struggling to cope with Margot’s departure.

Later, as Lara Jean picks up Kitty from school, she inadvertently almost collides with Peter on the way out. Though he offers a forgiving smile, Lara Jean feels an inexplicable sense of unease. In the evenings, the sisters relax by watching “Golden Girls” at home, where Kitty prods her sister to take more risks in her social life. Unbeknownst to Lara Jean, Kitty sneaks into her room and discovers the treasured box containing the letters, setting the stage for a series of events that will forever alter the trajectory of their lives.

As Peter approaches Lara Jean on the track field, her eyes widen in alarm as she beholds the letter she penned to Josh lying open before her. The revelation is compounded by the sudden appearance of Josh himself, his own letter clutched in hand. In a desperate bid to escape the awkwardness unfolding before her, Lara Jean seizes Peter and plants a swift, if unspoken, apology on his lips, swiftly departing for the safety of the bathroom. Lucas (Trezzo Mahoro) arrives moments later, bearing his own letter and offering a gentle yet crucial clarification: he is gay.

The following day finds Lara Jean fleeing her home in distress, only to be confronted by Josh at her doorstep. Undeterred, she makes a break for freedom, abandoning her bedroom window for the open road on her bicycle. The destination proves to be a nearby café, where Peter awaits, his expression a mask of quiet contemplation. As they commiserate over Lara Jean’s impulsive kiss and her subsequent declarations of affection for Josh, it becomes clear that Gen has since ended their relationship in response.

Moved by Lara Jean’s plight, Peter proposes an audacious plan: he suggests they feign a romantic connection to distract Josh and Gen from the truth. Initially hesitant, Lara Jean eventually agrees to draw up a contract outlining the parameters of their ruse.

As Peter sets out to impress Kitty with a spirited drive to school, his efforts are rewarded when Lara Jean is won over by his affable nature. Later, he arrives at her doorstep to chauffeur her to a party, where she finds herself surrounded by his friends and confronted by Gen’s snide remarks about their relationship. As the evening wears on, Lara Jean finds solace in Lucas’ company, while Peter seeks refuge from the drama unfolding around them.

In a quiet moment of intimacy, Peter and Lara Jean retreat to the café, their conversation veering towards more personal topics. Peter opens up about his complicated past, revealing the painful abandonment by his father when he was just a child, only for him to start anew with a wife and child – a revelation that deepens our understanding of this enigmatic character.

As the months tick by, Lara Jean and Peter successfully maintain their charade of being a couple, duping everyone in the process. However, this ruse comes at a cost, particularly for Lara Jean’s friendship with Josh, which begins to suffer as she appears to be avoiding him altogether. To make matters more complicated, she has yet to confide in her sister Margot about her relationship with Peter.

The facade is put to the ultimate test when Lara Jean pays a visit to Peter’s family home, where she meets his mother and younger brother for dinner. Mrs. Kavinsky inadvertently lets slip that Lara Jean’s mom is still alive, a gaffe that leaves her mortified despite Peter having previously warned her about the truth. Later on, Peter shares with Lara Jean his relief at his father’s passing, but she detects a hint of sadness beneath his words, suggesting he may not be as over it as he initially seemed.

While sharing a meal under the bleachers with Chris, Lara Jean overhears Peter and Gen discussing their upcoming ski trip, with Gen expressing a palpable jealousy over being replaced by her. This revelation prompts Lara Jean to confront Peter about his growing closeness to another girl, an encounter that becomes even more charged after he spots her chatting with Josh. As the truth begins to dawn on her, Lara Jean starts to realize she might be developing genuine feelings for Peter.

The class embarks on their ski trip, and things come to a head when Lara Jean joins Peter in the hot tub. Their conversation flows effortlessly into a romantic tryst. Upon their return from the trip, Gen presents Lara Jean with her scrunchie as if it were a gift from Peter himself, casting doubt on his true intentions. When Peter tries to clear up the misunderstanding, Lara Jean brushes him off, leaving their relationship hanging precariously in the balance.

As the evening unfolds at home, Lara Jean is caught off guard by an unexpected visit from Margot. The two sisters join forces with Kitty and their father for a family dinner, only to have the harmony disrupted when Peter arrives, bearing an explanation he hopes will ease Lara Jean’s concerns. However, his arrival is quickly followed by Josh’s appearance, which sends Margot reeling as she discovers her sister’s secret crush on him, as well as her blossoming romance with Peter. The tension becomes palpable as both guys depart, leaving behind a trail of emotional turmoil. To add insult to injury, Lara Jean receives a shocking text that someone has captured their intimate moment in the hot tub, making it appear as though they were involved in something far more scandalous than just a tender kiss.

As the drama unfolds at home, Margot is left reeling from her discoveries and retreats to her room, seeking solace. Meanwhile, Lara Jean must confront the fallout and find a way to clear up the misunderstanding with Peter. She eventually has an open and honest conversation with her sister about the situation, only to learn that Kitty was behind the infamous letter-writing incident – a misguided attempt to help Lara Jean overcome her social anxieties.

At school, the consequences of Lara Jean’s private moment becoming public become starkly apparent when she finds her locker defaced with a compromising image from the video. Peter springs into action, boldly declaring his willingness to defend Lara Jean against any perceived slurs. The situation reaches a boiling point in the bathroom, where Lara Jean confronts Gen about the video and learns that her rival had been secretly harboring feelings for Peter – a revelation that only added fuel to the fire.

With Margot back at school, Lara Jean is left to navigate the aftermath with Kitty and their father. In a series of heart-to-hearts, she begins to find closure and clarity regarding her relationships. She also rekindles her friendship with Josh, and later, she makes amends with Peter, deciding to take their connection to the next level. As they share a sweet kiss and stroll off together, it seems that Lara Jean has finally found the courage to seize control of her romantic destiny.

Just as the credits are rolling, another figure from Lara Jean’s past – John Ambrose McClaren – appears at her doorstep, bearing not only his letter but also a thoughtful bouquet of flowers. The stage is set for what promises to be an intriguing new chapter in Lara Jean’s story.