Director: Tommy Dorfman
Genre: Drama, Romance, Coming-of-Age
Based On: The novel I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Starring: Corey Fogelmanis, Alexandra Daddario, Cole Sprouse, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Lena Dunham
🌈 Overview
I Wish You All the Best is a heartfelt and deeply human film that explores identity, family rejection, and the power of chosen love. Directed by Tommy Dorfman, the movie is a refreshing and emotional adaptation of Mason Deaver’s beloved young-adult novel — marking one of the few mainstream films to center on a nonbinary protagonist with sensitivity and warmth.
This isn’t just a story about labels — it’s a story about finding your voice in a world that often refuses to listen.
💔 Plot Summary
The film follows Ben De Backer (Corey Fogelmanis), a shy nonbinary teenager who is thrown out of their house after coming out to their conservative parents. Lost and scared, Ben finds refuge with their older sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), whom they haven’t seen in over a decade.
As Ben starts a new life, they navigate the ups and downs of high school, the anxiety of hiding their true self, and the cautious process of rebuilding trust and connection.
Things begin to change when Ben meets Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley) — an endlessly kind and open-hearted classmate who slowly helps Ben rediscover joy, confidence, and the courage to live authentically.
What unfolds is a touching blend of heartbreak, humor, and hope, capturing the messy beauty of growing up and learning to love yourself.
🎭 Performances
- Corey Fogelmanis delivers a remarkably gentle and vulnerable performance. They portray Ben not as a stereotype, but as a full, complex human being — scared, funny, awkward, and brave.
- Alexandra Daddario shines as Hannah — balancing guilt, protectiveness, and love in a performance that feels genuinely maternal and human.
- Miles Gutierrez-Riley brings a natural warmth as Nathan, making the friendship-turned-romance feel believable and uplifting.
- The supporting cast, including Cole Sprouse and Lena Dunham, adds texture and realism without overshadowing the emotional heart of the story.
🎨 Direction & Cinematography
Tommy Dorfman’s direction is delicate and deeply personal. The tone is intimate — you feel every quiet pause, every hesitant smile. The use of soft lighting and close-up shots helps the audience connect with Ben’s inner world, while the score gently underscores moments of fear and tenderness without being manipulative.
The cinematography leans on warm pastels and natural light, making even difficult moments glow with a sense of hope. It feels like watching someone’s diary come to life.
❤️ Themes & Message
At its core, I Wish You All the Best is about self-acceptance and chosen family. It’s not just about gender identity — it’s about feeling safe enough to exist as yourself. The film captures the quiet trauma of rejection but balances it with the healing power of kindness.
It’s a story that says: You are not broken. You are becoming.
🎵 Music & Mood
The soundtrack beautifully blends gentle indie and emotional piano tracks that mirror Ben’s journey — melancholy at first, but slowly growing hopeful. Each scene feels thoughtfully scored, never overwhelming the emotional weight of the story.
⭐ Final Verdict
I Wish You All the Best is a moving and necessary film — not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but for anyone who has ever felt unseen or misunderstood. It’s soft, brave, and unafraid to be vulnerable.
It doesn’t rely on grand moments of drama; instead, it wins your heart with honesty and empathy. A rare coming-of-age film that truly feels like a safe space.
🎬 Rating: 9/10
Why You Should Watch:
✅ Emotionally authentic storytelling
✅ Excellent performances by Fogelmanis & Daddario
✅ Visually beautiful and heartfelt direction
✅ A hopeful story about identity and love
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