The movie No Hard Feelings is not based on a true story in its entirety; while it draws inspiration from a real-world advertisement, the specific characters and narrative are largely fictional.
Here's a breakdown of how the film blends reality with fiction:
- The Initial Concept: The film's premise originated from a genuine Craigslist ad that the screenwriters encountered. This ad, reportedly placed by parents looking for someone to "date" their introverted son before he went to college, served as the initial spark.
- Fictional Characters and Plot: Beyond the initial concept of the ad, the rest of the story and its characters are entirely made up.
- Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence): Her character, a down-on-her-luck Uber driver facing financial ruin, is a fictional creation.
- Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman): The shy, socially awkward teenager Percy is also a fictional character. There is no record or public knowledge of anyone ever responding to the real Craigslist ad, so Percy's specific personality and journey are invented for the film.
- Percy's Parents (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti): The depiction of Percy's overprotective and well-meaning parents is also a product of the screenwriters' imagination.
In essence, No Hard Feelings takes a peculiar real-life classified ad as a jumping-off point but develops a completely original storyline and cast of characters around that initial kernel of truth.
