Felix Mallard and Isabela Merced Shine in Debut Trailer for 'Turtles All the Way Down' Movie: Unveiling the Premiere Date

Felix Mallard and Isabella Merced Star in Turtles All the Way Down Trailer 075

Isabela Merced, Felix Mallard. Courtesy of MAX

Felix Mallard and Isabela Merced are starring in the new trailer for Turtles All the Way Down.

The trailer, released on April 3, provides fans with a sneak peek of the book adaptation and reveals that Turtles All the Way Down will be available for streaming on Max starting May 2.

Merced, 22, and Mallard, 25, are the main actors in the movie, which is based on the 2017 YA novel "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green. Merced plays the role of Aza Holmes, a 17-year-old girl dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. Meanwhile, Mallard portrays Davis Pickett, Aza's childhood crush.

The trailer gives fans a glimpse of Aza's struggles with her mental health, as she tries to balance her friendships with Daisy (Cree Cicchino) and her future plans after high school. Despite her anxieties, Aza forms a close bond with Davis. However, she questions whether she can truly find happiness in a romantic relationship due to her fears.

Merced began her acting career on Nickelodeon as Isabela Moner before landing the lead role in the series 100 Things to Do Before High School. She later took on the iconic role of Dora in the live-action adaptation Dora and the Lost City of Gold.

After her success as Dora, she transitioned to using her professional name, Merced. She then starred in the holiday Netflix rom-com Let It Snow alongside Shameik Moore, Kiernan Shipka, Jacob Batalon, and others. The movie was based on a YA novel written by popular authors Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.

Merced has been making waves in Hollywood recently. She was seen in Madame Web alongside Sydney Sweeney and Dakota Johnson. Fans can look forward to seeing her as Hawkgirl in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie, set to be released in July 2026. Additionally, she will be reprising her role as Dina in season 2 of The Last of Us, scheduled to premiere in 2025.

Merced has accumulated numerous acting credits throughout her career. However, she recently shared with The Hollywood Reporter how playing Aza in Turtles All the Way Down held a special significance for her.

In February 2024, Merced revealed, "When I watch my movies for the first time, I do find myself grabbing onto my seat and clenching my jaw. So I do have a hard time watching myself, but Turtles All the Way Down was different. I didn’t clench up at all while watching it." She continued, "I felt at ease watching it, and maybe that’s because I knew how much work I put into it and how I felt after each shooting day. So I do feel really proud of myself for that."

Mallard made his acting debut in 2014 on the Australian soap opera, Neighbours, where he portrayed Ben Kirk until 2019. Fans of the actor recognize him most for his role as Marcus Baker in the Netflix series Ginny and Georgia.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming movie "Turtles All the Way Down" promises to be a poignant and relatable portrayal of mental health struggles. Isabela Merced's portrayal of Aza, a young woman grappling with OCD and anxiety, is particularly commendable. Her own experience in the industry has given her a deep understanding of the character's challenges, allowing her to deliver a performance that is both nuanced and authentic.

The trailer offers a glimpse into Aza's world, showcasing her struggles to maintain friendships, plan for the future, and navigate the complexities of a romantic relationship. It also highlights the bond she forms with Davis, played by Felix Mallard. Their relationship serves as a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health issues, as it demonstrates the power of support and understanding.