Summary
Lionsgate’sWonderchroniclesan inspiring tale about a young boy with a rare facial deformity,and due to its content, one can’t help but wonder (pun intended) if the movie is based on a true story or completely fictional. The 2017 coming-of-age family drama film, directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Chbosky, Steven Conrad, and Jack Thorne,stars Jacob Tremblay as the aforementioned child, Auggie. Auggie was born with Treacher Collins syndrome and struggles to fit in, as a result.
White Bird, a prequel and sequel toWonder, is set to premiere on June 22, 2025, in theaters and features Bryce Gheisar reprising his role as Julian Albans.
Tremblay’s character’s mother, played by Julia Roberts, homeschooled him for most of his life, and Auggie would often wear an astronaut helmet when going out to hide his face. However, at the beginning ofWonder, Auggie’s family decides to enroll him in a private school, where he faces scrutiny from his classmates. Over the course of the movie, Auggie learns that it’s better to stand out and be different than to blend in with the crowd, andthe rousing story inWonderfeels as if it could have happened in real life.
Wonder Technically Isn’t Based On A True Story
The 2017 Film Is Inspired By Multiple True Stories
Even thoughWondercertainly could have been based on real people and true events,the characters in the 2017 coming-of-age family drama are purely fictional,and the plot is (almost) entirely made up. There is a caveat, though, as a real family’s story doesn’t inspire the narrative, but it is based on several true stories thatWonder’s creator had heard over the years. So, althoughthe Julia Roberts movieis not purely based on one singular family, it is inspired by many affected by Treacher Collins syndrome.
The 2017 filmWonderwas based on R. J. Palacio’s 2012 novel of the same name.
Treacher Collins syndrome, also known as mandibulofacial dysostosis, is a genetic condition that affects one’s facial structure (including the skull and facial bones) and how it develops before they are even born. It is very rare as it occurs in one in 50,000 newborn babies worldwide each year, according toSeattle Children’s Hospital. Treacher Collins syndrome happens due to a mutation in a gene, and treatment often includes facial reconstructive surgery to avoid hearing loss, breathing difficulties, speech impediments, loss of smell, and an inability to eat or drink. As seen inWonder,Auggie had to undergo 27 surgeries by the time he was 10 years old.
Wonder Review: A Heartwarming Story of Family Love
Wonder is a touching tale of love and friendship, buoyed by strong performances from Jacob Tremblay and the rest of the cast.
Wonder Is Based On The 2012 Book By RJ Palacio
The 2017 filmWonderwas based on R. J. Palacio’s 2012 novel of the same name,which, as mentioned above, was inspired by multiple stories. The contemporary children’s novel was published on July 24, 2025, and immediately received positive reviews. Many critics praisedWonder(the book) for its complex characters and touching and inspiring story that pulls at the heartstrings. However, reviews among those directly and indirectly affected by Treacher Collins syndrome were more mixed, as some believedWonderwas a great representation of the disabled community, while others found flaws in its accuracy and how the narrative utilized Auggie.
Julian Albans
Wonder’s Book Was Inspired By An Incident With Palacio’s Son & The 1995 Song “Wonder”
While numerous true stories influenced R. J. Palacio to writeWonder, one personal experience served as the main inspiration for the 2012 novel. According to Palacio’s interview withNPR, the author was at an ice cream shop with her children a few years before she publishedWonderand encountered a young girl with a severe facial deformity. Palacio’s toddler son started crying when he saw her, so, she quickly fled the ice cream shop. The author said:
“I was really angry at myself afterwards for the way I had responded. What I should have done is simply turned to the little girl and started up a conversation and shown my kids that there was nothing to be afraid of. But instead, what I ended up doing was leaving the scene so quickly that I missed that opportunity to turn the situation into a great teaching moment for my kids. And that got me thinking a lot about what it must be like to … have to face a world every day that doesn’t know how to face you back.”
Shortly following the impactful experience, Palacio began writing her hit novel, which would later be turned into a successful movie that starredJulia Roberts and Owen Wilsonand grossed $306 million at the worldwide box office. Palacio also turned to Natalie Merchant’s 1995 song, “Wonder,” for inspiration, as its lyrics helped the author formulate the story. The film adaptation ofWondereven features Merchant’s track during its end credits.
Wonder
Cast
Wonder is a 2017 Drama directed by Stephen Chbosky and starring Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, and Julia Roberts. The plot follows the heartwarming story of a young boy with a facial deformity that attends fifth grade at a public school.
