The Perks of Being a Wallflower is, for the most part, a faithful adaptation of the novel of the same name, but it also went through some changes – some more subtle than others, and some for the better. Written by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was published in 1999, and got the big screen treatment in 2012, directed and written by Chbosky himself.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower centers on Charlie (Logan Lerman), a 15-year-old introvert in his first year of high school, who struggles between his new life at school and his mental health. When he befriends a group of seniors – Sam (Emma Watson), Patrick (Ezra Miller), and Mary Elizabeth (Mae Whitman) – he learns to cope with his best friend’s suicide and childhood trauma. The novel and the film address topics like anxiety and depression, and while the book was initially received with mixed reactions, the film got much better reviews.

Related: Netflix: Every Movie and TV Show Releasing In April 2020

Having the author of the source material as the writer and director of the big screen version ensured that the film was very loyal to the original story, but as it happens with every adaptation, it had to go through a couple of changes to better fit the format and narrative. Here are the biggest changes from the Perks of Being a Wallflower book.

Charlie’s Family Is Cut Out

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Charlie family

Charlie is the protagonist of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, so it’s no surprise that the film focused on him and his journey through high school, friendships, love, and trauma, and left characters that seem minor behind, such as his family. In the book, however, his family has a bigger presence. His older brother, who is briefly seen in the film, is more present, spending time with Charlie during the holidays and talking to him about his girlfriend. His father was actually abusive at some point, hitting Charlie when he “hurts” Aunt Helen’s feelings (yes, the Aunt Helen who sexually abused young Charlie).

Charlie’s Sister Doesn’t Have An Abortion

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Candace

Speaking of Charlie’s family, the film omitted an important moment in Charlie’s relationship with his sister. Just like in the film, in the book his sister is in an abusive relationship, and Charlie witnesses her boyfriend hitting her, and she forbids Charlie from telling their parents. In the novel, Charlie keeps his promise but he tells Bill (his English teacher, who then says the now famous quote “we accept the love we think we deserve”), who in turn tells Charlie’s parents. Their relationship deteriorates quickly after that, but Charlie later learns that she’s pregnant. Charlie takes her to an abortion clinic and keeps the secret for real this time, staying by her side and bringing her back home. After this event, their relationship improves significantly. The film almost included this moment, but it was cut and instead became a deleted scene.

How Michael’s Passing Is Addressed

Charlie standing in a hallway in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

In both versions, Charlie’s best friend Michael is dead, but how his suicide is addressed is different. The book makes it clear early on in the story that Michael committed suicide, which serves as a hook for the reader to get invested in Charlie’s story and struggles. The film chose to keep this big revelation until the party scene where a stoned Charlie opens up to Sam, marking the beginning of his friendship with the group. Charlie does get high in the book, but he doesn’t tell Sam about Michael.

Related: What Emma Watson Has Done After The Harry Potter Movies

“Landslide” vs “Heroes” Song Change

Perks of Being a Wallflower tunnel scene

This is either a big or small change, important or not so much, depending on who you ask. The tunnel scene in the book has Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” as soundtrack. Though it also works with the whole “infinite” feeling, it’s definitely a very different vibe. “Landslide” is a slow song and more melancholic, whereas David Bowie’s “Heroes” has a more uplifting style, which fits the tone of the film better. It’s up to every viewer which voice has more of an “infinite” vibe: Stevie Nicks’ or David Bowie’s.

Charlie Remembers Aunt Helen

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Charlie crisis

The source of Charlie’s mental and emotional struggles, as well as of his views of relationships and love, is the childhood trauma he went through with Aunt Helen. Throughout the story, readers/viewers learn that Charlie and Aunt Helen were very close, and he even refers to her as his favorite. Aunt Helen died in a car crash on her way to buy Charlie a birthday gift, and he felt guilty for her death. In the film, he remembers what Aunt Helen did to him while in the psychiatric hospital, near the end. In the book, he remembers a little earlier, when he and Sam begin to get physical, which is a triggering moment for him. The book also has Charlie trying to understand that particular event, while the film simply reveals it and doesn’t continue with that part of the story.

The Poem Charlie Gives To Patrick Is Removed

Perks of Being a Wallflower party

At the Christmas party, Charlie gives all his friends a present, and he gives Patrick a poem. It’s a long and emotional one, titled “Absolutely Nothing”, and he reads it in front of everyone, with Bob pointing out that he heard it was a suicide note. The poem was left out of the film, most likely due to time as it’s a pretty long one, though it was shot and included as a deleted scene in the DVD.

In general, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a faithful adaptation of the book, and keeps the essence of the source material while it also expands on moments that weren’t fully explored in the film, and the scenes and details that were either omitted or changed were mostly so the story could flow better and to fit the tone they were looking for.

Next: The 25 Best Films On Netflix Right Now