Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson on the set of WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.
Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson on the set of WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.

Wonder is one of this year’s best reviewed movies. Starring superstars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and the breakout star of 2015’s Oscar winning movie RoomJacob Tremblay, Wonder is based on a novel of the same name by R.J. Palacio. Here are 5 reasons you should definitely check it out –

1) The book this movie is based on is a bestseller –

Wonder
Wonder

The book has won various accolades and awards like being on The New York Times Best Seller list and the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list. Wonder also won the 2014 Maine Student Book Award, Vermont’s Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award, the 2015 Mark Twain Award and Hawaii’s 2015 Nene Award. In Illinois, it won both the Bluestem and Caudill Awards in 2014. Clearly, the story is great.

2) The cast and crew

Stephen Chbosky and Julia Roberts
Director Stephen Chbosky and Julia Roberts on the set of WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.

The movie stars powerhouse performers like Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay is directed by Stephen Chbosky the man behind one of the most sensitive books (and movies) of recent times – The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. We know that the source material is in good hands.

3) It raises awareness and sensitivity towards the Treacher Collins syndrome

Jacob Tremblay as "Auggie" in WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.
Jacob Tremblay as “Auggie” in WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.

Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by deformities of the ears, eyes, cheekbones, and chin. The degree a person is affected, however, may vary from mild to severe. Complications may include breathing problems, problems seeing, cleft palate, and hearing loss. Those affected generally have a normal intelligence. Wonder deals with August “Auggie” Pullman, a fifth-grade boy living in Manhattan and his struggles with this rare syndrome.

4) Wonder is primarily about friendship

Noah Jupe, Jacob Tremblay, Elle McKinnon and Bryce Gheisar
From L to R: Noah Jupe, Jacob Tremblay, Elle McKinnon and Bryce Gheisar on the set of WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.

While the main protagonist does suffer from a genetic disorder, the story of Wonder is primarily about young friendship and how important the bond is. August “Auggie” Pullman and Jack become best friends in middle school until something sours between them. Their relationship is the crux of the film.

5) It tugs at the heartstrings

Owen Wilson as "Nate," Julia Roberts as "Isabel," and Jacob Tremblay as "Auggie" in WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.
Owen Wilson as “Nate,” Julia Roberts as “Isabel,” and Jacob Tremblay as “Auggie” in WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.

The general consensus of the reviews this film has received is that it’ll make you cry, so keep those tissues handy!

To win free tickets for the movie, you can participate in our Trivia Tuesday contest on Twitter or our Instagram contest about the movie.

This post is in partnership with PVR.