Winter Spring Summer or Fall ending explained: Does Remi & Barnes' love story get a happy conclusion?

After a long period of starring in dark, horror and crime thrillers, Jenna Ortega is shifting gears by taking up a romantic comedy and playing a character that's softer than anything else the actress has taken up. Teaming up with her Wednesday co-star Percy Hynes-White, Winter Spring Summer or Fall is a fresh exploration of a messy and turbulent love affair between two youngsters who are from different worlds.

Jenna and Percy play the roles of Remi Aguilar and Barnes Hawthorne. They come from completely different worlds, and navigating that is tough. Winter Spring Summer or Fall takes us through their relationship over the course of a year, and what a rollercoaster it is. Remi is hesitant about letting Percy into her life, and Percy is adamant about pursuing her.

What happens between Remi and Barnes in Winter Spring Summer or Fall?

Still from Winter Spring Summer or Fall (Image via Youtube @/ Paramount Pictures)

It's Winter when Barnes first sees her while hanging out with a friend and is immediately intrigued. Days later, they meet during a bus trip and strike up interesting conversations about a band they love. Remi tells him about her college plans and how she dreams of getting into Harvard, and Barnes tells her about how he's taking up a gap year for no particular reason. From the very first meet, their differences were pretty much out in the open. As he asks her out on a date, she declines and tells him she has no place for someone like him in her life.

The film explores themes of love, identity, and the complicated nature of relationships as they navigate their connections over the course of a year- spanning through the seasons of their lives. Each season represents a different phase of their relationship, from the heady excitement of new love in winter, to the confusion and heartache of spring, to the intensity and growth that comes in summer, and finally, the reflection and resolution in fall. The stunning visuals in the film change with the seasons as the weather represents the nature of their relationship and how they feel for each other. It's a brilliant plot detail, one that adds much color to the story as you sit through the scenes wondering what turn their relationship would take.

The film was a stark reminder of the themes explored in 500 Days of Summer, especially its exploration of love through seasons. Luckily, Winter Spring Summer or Fall doesn't end the way Tom and Summer's story did in 500 Days of Summer; it grows out of its heartbreaking lump and gives viewers the ending they deserve.

The plot of Winter Spring Summer or Fall continues as both of them continue to meet each other. Through sushi dinner dates and accidental prom dances they get closer, despite Remi's attempts to push him over. As the moments get intense, the cloud of uncertainty falls between them. Remi reminds him that she's leaving soon and hence cannot get involved in anything romantic with him. Despite the setbacks and obvious signs of hurt, the two decide to take a chance and spend the summer together.

Summer is all things golden and radiant and their love affair intensifies. Remi's walls slowly get loose and her dreams of getting into Harvard fade. She thought about taking a gap year to experience life to the fullest and had always wanted to enroll in a "save the turtles" program. When she discloses this to her parents, they refuse to accept it and she ends up getting grounded.

4th of July is when things take a turn for the worse. The two of them attend a house party that gets all things messy and Remi ends up getting in an accident. A heated argument follows and they end up parting ways. As the summer gets over, so does their relationship.

What happens in the ending of Winter Spring Summer or Fall?

Winter Spring Summer or Fall ends on a softer note as both of them decide to give the relationship a second chance. As fall begins, Remi is in Harvard while Barnes is working as a musician. When she gets to know he's in Boston for a gig she reaches out to him as they meet again. Even though they talk about their unresolved feelings and how they miss each other terribly, they both mutually decide that it was for the best and part ways again.

But the loose thread of their affection hangs between their distance as Remi realises she has deep feelings for him even now. Encouraged by her friends, she sets out to tell him about how she feels as she sneaks in through security to where he is performing. She confesses her love for him and how she wants to try again, despite being aware of the challenges. Barnes gently turns her down and tells her they are better off as friends.

It was difficult for Barnes, too, to decide to decline Remi when he loved her. But he reasoned that their differences would always cause problems. Seeing Remi succeed and lead the life she had always imagined made him realize that perhaps her life was better off without him, which is the only reason he decided against getting back together. But then again, Remi made the choice to come back herself, which means maybe they aren't all that bad for each other.

Later on he introspects his feelings and his band members talk him through to give it a shot. They tell him how they can see his clear feelings for her and after coming to terms with his own feelings, the band takes a tour to Remi's dorm where they serenade her. As she steps out of her room and sees Barnes, she knows that he's here to confess what he's been holding back. Remi takes a step forward, her heart finally in sync with his. Holding him in an embrace, they kiss, giving their love story a second chance.