What the world needs now are movies like I Wish You All the Best—gentle stories filled with kindness and acceptance, showing that society will not collapse when young people are given the space and trust to discover themselves.
We meet teenager Ben (Corey Fogelmanis) just after they’ve been kicked out of the house by their parents. It’s clear that Ben’s “I have something to tell you…” moment didn’t go well. With nowhere else to turn, Ben calls their long-estranged older sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), who comes immediately—no questions asked. Since the siblings haven’t seen each other in a decade, it’s obvious there’s more to the family history that will eventually be revealed.
Hannah and her equally supportive husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse), assume Ben was kicked out for being gay. Ben later explains it was because they came out as non-binary. “Oh!” Hannah and Thomas respond in surprise and relief.. they were worried it was something terrible, like Ben had killed someone. Thomas gets Ben enrolled at the local high school where he teaches and introduces them to Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), a friendly, open student who helps Ben find their footing and a circle of new friends.
What’s lovely about this film is that Ben’s journey isn’t just about understanding what it means to be non-binary—it’s about discovering who they are as a person. Ben’s outlet is art, and they find a kindred spirit in their enthusiastic art teacher, Ms. Lyons (a wonderful Lena Dunham). In a perfect world, every kid would have a mentor or teacher who provides that kind of safe space. Ben also finds support in their sister’s home, learning that trust and respect go both ways. Hannah and Thomas also happen to be new parents, so ask for Ben’s help in establishing a family dynamic that works for them all.
I Wish You All the Best is an empathetic portrait of a teen learning to feel comfortable in their own skin. Many of Ben’s challenges are deeply relatable—from depression, to anxiety after their first intimate experience, to the pain of rejection by their parents. Queer or not, all teenagers are growing, changing, and trying to figure out their place in the world.
A story like this feels especially vital right now—one where a struggling kid like Ben is surrounded by love and support from the adults in their orbit. This movie feels like a gentle, supportive hug for teens, and I’m all for it.
