16 'Fault in Our Stars' Moments We Can't Wait to See On Screen

June 14, 2024

There are only six and a half weeks until The Fault in our Stars hits theaters, so for those of you who still haven't gotten around to reading John Green's bestselling novel, it's crunch time. For the rest of us, the quickly-approaching release date means that we're due to re-read TFIOS for the thousandth time, so the story of Hazel and Augustus can be fresh in our minds come June 6. After all, we'll need to be able to spot every added scene, changed quote, or new character in order to know if Josh Boone and Co. truly did Green's novel justice.

All book-to-movie adaptations make fans anxious, but when the source material is as adored as The Fault in our Stars, the filmmakers have to contend with millions of (very vocal) readers' opinions as to what should and should not be done in the movie. Sure, the sky-high expectations may be a bit unfair, but when Boone decided to make a movie out of one of the most beloved books in America, he had to have known what he was getting himself into. As all those who read it know, TFIOS is perfect; thus, the movie made from it must be perfect, as well — and that means keeping in all of John Green's funniest, smartest, and most heartbreaking scenes.

Sixteen scenes we need to see (obviously, spoilers to follow):

1. The Stare-Off

In pop culture, there is a thing called a "meet-cute," a scene where a couple-to-be run into each other — often literally — in an adorable, klutzy way. They laugh, they blush, and a minute later, they're glued at the hip.

This is not how Hazel and Augustus meet in The Fault in our Stars. The future couple's first encounter is not "cute," or even much of a "meet;" basically, it's a staring contest. Gus watches Hazel, refusing to look away. Hazel, confused but intrigued, stares back at Gus. The duo hold glances for an impressive length of time, until Gus finally looks away and Hazel revels in her "win." It's odd, it's awkward, and, on screen, it'll be a feat of acting for the two leads. We can't wait to see it.

2. The "It's a Metaphor" Scene

Thankfully, those who saw the MTV Movie Awards clip know that this part of the book is included, practically word-for-word from Green's novel. Gus' pretentiousness is never more perfectly displayed than in this scene, where he shows off the cigarettes he buys "as a metaphor" and Hazel throws down the word "hamartia."

3. Any and All Scenes of Augustus Waters Driving

In the book, Hazel describes Gus' driving as "horrific," "astonishingly poor," and a thing that frequently ends with "a tremendous JOLT." This must be seen to be believed.

4. The Hospital Flashback

For Laura Dern, sobbing over a terribly sick, pre-teen Hazel, delivering this line: "I won't be a mom anymore." As Hazel said, "it gutted me pretty badly." Safe to say it'll do the same to us, in theaters.

5. Isaac Smashing Up Augustus' Basement

Scenes in which upset/angry characters break things to let out their feelings are never not fun to watch, and the part of TFIOS in which a broken-hearted Isaac "kicks the crap out of" Gus' furniture is up there with the best. Also, the last line of the scene — "that's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt" — is a TFIOS classic, and must be heard coming out of Ansel Elgort's mouth.

6. Hazel Telling Her Parents That She's a "Grenade"

There are plenty of heartbreaking scenes in the book, but this is one of the worst. A depressed Hazel tells her parents that she's a "grenade," and "at some point," she's "going to blow up" and wants to minimize the casualties. It's painful and raw, and will likely hit even harder on-screen.

7. The Swing Set Scene

Chances are, it just looks like a normal swing set, but we need to see the backyard structure that Hazel and Gus called a "lonely, vaguely pedophilic swing set that "seeks the butts of children" for ourselves.

8. Gus' First Flight

This scene, where Gus, Hazel and Hazel's mom fly to Amsterdam, is huge for Gus' character development, because it's the first time we see that his pretentiousness is just an act. As the plane takes off, Gus freaks out, marveling over the view and declaring that "NOTHING HAS EVER LOOKED LIKE THAT EVER IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY." This level of adorable-ness must translate to the movie.

9. The Oranjee Dinner

Gus and Hazel's Amsterdam dinner is one of the loveliest passages in TFIOS, with its romantic dialogue, "tasting of the stars," and declaration that "the beautiful couple is beautiful." It's a scene practically begging to be filmed.

10. The Peter Van Houten Meeting

When Hazel and Gus finally arrive at the house of their beloved author, Peter Van Houten, the meeting is a disaster. Van Houten, to be played by Willem Dafoe, is an alcoholic monster, breaking the kids' hearts and ruining their trip. Dafoe will surely be fantastic as the recluse, and Woodley will do wonders conveying Hazel's surprise and disappointment.

11. The Anne Frank House

This. yes.

12. The Sex Scene

No, we're not pervs. The scene in which Hazel and Augustus lose their virginities is hugely important to have in the film, because, if it keeps with Green's writing, then it will show two main characters who both have visible disabilities — Hazel's cannula, Gus' prosthetic leg — having sex. Rarely does Hollywood show characters' disabilities on-screen, and never in a romantic situation. Let TFIOS break barriers.

13. The Gas Station

Weeks before dying, Gus, alone and in pain at a gas station, calls Hazel to come help him. When she finds him sitting in his car, covered in his own vomit, it's the most vulnerable she, and we, have ever seen Gus. This is Ansel Elgort's scene.

14. The Eulogy at the Literal Heart of Jesus

Hazel, Gus, and Isaac's pre-funeral funeral was funny and sad, a poignant, perfect testament to Gus' life and the trio's friendship. A scene that depressingly good must be seen in the movie.

15. Peter Van Houten's Sudden Arrival

Seeing the author hijack Gus' funeral will certainly be great, but watching him finally apologize to Hazel after breaking into her car will be even better.

16. Hazel Finding Gus' Letter

After days of searching for a letter she knew Gus had written to or about her, Hazel finally stumbles upon it, thanks to some help from Peter Van Houten's sympathetic assistant. There's no doubt that Shailene Woodley will be a wonderful Hazel, but it's this scene, the last in the book, that will show the depth of her portrayal. We can't wait to see it.

Image: 20th Century Fox

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