Love, Simon - Characters & Cast

Initially, Simon is motivated by fear—the fear of change, of losing his friends and family, and of how the world will see him differently. This fear drives him to keep his sexuality a secret and to comply with Martin's blackmail. As the film progresses, his motivation shifts to love and self-worth, fueled by his connection with Blue and the realization that he deserves to be happy and authentic.

Simon begins the film as a closeted teenager, terrified of how coming out will disrupt his comfortable, "normal" life. His primary goal is to maintain the status quo. Through his anonymous relationship with Blue and the crisis of being blackmailed, he is forced to confront his fears. He makes mistakes, hurting his friends in his desperation. However, this turmoil forces him to grow, moving from a place of fear to one of courage. His arc culminates in him taking control of his own narrative, coming out to his family and publicly declaring his right to a great love story, ultimately embracing his true self without reservation.

Leah is motivated by her deep, protective love for Simon. Her actions are driven by a desire to maintain their lifelong friendship and a secret hope for something more. Her emotional reactions stem from a fear of losing the unique closeness she shares with him.

Leah is Simon's fiercely loyal and oldest friend, who harbors a secret crush on him. Her arc involves dealing with the hurt of Simon confiding in their newer friend, Abby, before her. She feels betrayed not by his sexuality, but by what she perceives as a lack of trust. Her journey is about understanding Simon's reasons and reaffirming their deep, platonic bond. She learns to separate her romantic feelings from their friendship, ultimately offering him her unwavering support.

Martin is driven by a desperate need for popularity and the affection of his crush, Abby. His social awkwardness and insecurity fuel his poor decision-making, as he believes manipulating Simon is the only way to achieve his goals.

Martin starts as an overly eager, socially awkward classmate. His desperation for social acceptance and a date with Abby leads him to blackmail Simon. He is not portrayed as purely malicious, but rather as deeply insecure and misguided. After his actions lead to Simon being publicly outed and ostracized, Martin experiences remorse. His arc is one of redemption; he realizes the gravity of his mistake and tries to make amends by helping Simon get one last chance to meet Blue at the Ferris wheel, showing growth and a newfound sense of empathy.

Like Simon, Bram is motivated by a desire for connection and the fear of the consequences of coming out. His anonymity as Blue allows him to explore his feelings safely. Ultimately, Simon's public vulnerability inspires him, and his motivation shifts to a desire to reciprocate that bravery and embrace a real relationship.

Bram, known for most of the film only as the anonymous "Blue," is also on a journey of self-acceptance. Initially, he is even more hesitant than Simon to come out. His arc is largely unseen but mirrored in Simon's. He struggles with his own fears and confusion, as shown when Simon sees him kissing a girl at a party. His development culminates in the film's climax, where he overcomes his fear and publicly reveals himself to Simon on the Ferris wheel, choosing love and authenticity over staying hidden.