By Hazel Grace Lancaster, portrayed by Shailene Woodley, is a teenage girl battling stage 4 thyroid cancer. Lying in the grass and gazing at the stars, she contemplates the nature of sad stories, preferring to embrace the truth over sugarcoated tales.
Struggles with Cancer Hazel’s constant companion is an oxygen tank, a necessity for her to breathe. At the urging of her mother Frannie (Laura Dern), father Michael (Sam Trammell), and doctor Maria (Ana Dela Cruz), Hazel reluctantly joins a cancer support group at a church called the Literal Heart of Jesus. The group is led by Patrick (Mike Birbiglia), a testicular cancer survivor who remains positive despite his personal struggles.
Meeting Augustus Waters During one of these support group meetings, Hazel encounters Augustus “Gus” Waters (Ansel Elgort), a charismatic boy in remission from osteosarcoma, who has lost part of his leg. Their connection is immediate and profound, sparked by a shared understanding of life’s fragility and a mutual love for literature.
Developing Friendship Their friendship deepens as they exchange favorite books: Hazel introduces Gus to “An Imperial Affliction,” a novel about a girl with leukemia, while Gus shares “Counterinsurgence,” based on his favorite video game. Captivated by the abrupt ending of “An Imperial Affliction,” they become determined to uncover the fate of the story’s characters.
Connecting with the Author Gus manages to track down the book’s reclusive author, Peter Van Houten (Willem Dafoe), who lives in Amsterdam. To their astonishment, Van Houten responds and invites them to visit. Gus uses his wish from the Genies (similar to Make-A-Wish) to take Hazel on this extraordinary journey.
Trip to Amsterdam In Amsterdam, Hazel and Gus share a magical evening at the restaurant Oranjee, courtesy of Van Houten. Gus declares his love for Hazel, making the night unforgettable. However, their subsequent meeting with Van Houten is disappointing. The author refuses to answer their questions and insults them, leading them to leave in frustration. They later find solace and inspiration visiting the Anne Frank House, where they share a tender kiss amidst the echoes of resilience.
A Sudden Downturn Tragically, Gus reveals that his cancer has returned and spread, shattering Hazel’s world. Back in Indianapolis, they strive to make the most of their remaining time together, even finding moments of levity, such as egging the car of Isaac’s (Nat Wolff) ex-girlfriend, Monica.
Preparing for Goodbye As Gus’s health deteriorates, he asks Hazel and Isaac to write eulogies for him. At a pre-funeral gathering, Hazel eloquently speaks about their love and the infinite moments they shared, even within their finite time.
Final Farewell Gus passes away eight days later. At his funeral, Hazel is surprised by the presence of Van Houten, who reveals his correspondence with Gus. He hands Hazel a letter from Gus, which she initially discards in anger but later retrieves.
Gus’s Last Letter In the letter, Gus expresses his admiration for Hazel’s strength and beauty. He reflects on their time together, choosing to be grateful for the love they shared. His final words, “Okay, Hazel Grace?” echo in Hazel’s heart as she lies in the grass once more, looking up at the stars and replying, “Okay.”
“The Fault in Our Stars” is a deeply moving narrative that explores love, loss, and the courage to live fully despite overwhelming odds. Hazel and Gus’s journey offers a powerful reminder that even amidst great pain, moments of joy and profound connection can shine through, leaving an indelible impact on our hearts and minds.
