THE STORY -A high school junior comes out as nonbinary and is thrown out of their family’s home. With nowhere else to turn, they move in with their estranged older sister and her husband. After enrolling in a new school, they find support from an eccentric art teacher while forming an unexpected bond with a kindhearted student.
THE CAST – Corey Fogelmanis, Alexandra Daddario, Lena Dunham, Miles Gutierrez-Riley & Cole Sprouse
THE TEAM – Tommy Dorfman (Director/Writer) & Mason Deaver (Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 92 Minutes
Ben (Corey Fogelmanis) is struggling. They’re a junior in high school, which is often considered the most grueling year. There are the SATs and ACTs, the looming questions about life after graduation, and the growing pains of figuring out who you are. But when you’re queer, those growing pains can be even harder. When Ben finally reaches a breaking point and builds up the courage to come out to their parents, they are met not with love but with rejection. Even in 2025, when the world and media seem more welcoming to queer and trans kids, Ben’s parents respond with hate and fear. Kicked out of their home, Ben calls their estranged older sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), who immediately comes to their aid. She opens her home to them, along with her husband, Thomas (Cole Sprouse), and their young son. Yet even in this new environment, Ben continues to struggle, still reeling from the trauma of what happened. Fitting in at a new school and making new friends feels nearly impossible.
Tommy Dorfman’s directorial debut, “I Wish You All the Best,” adapted from the 2019 young adult novel by Mason Deaver (who also co-wrote the screenplay), is a tender and heartfelt story about the path nonbinary teens must navigate as they claim their identity. Ben not only has to adjust to life in a new town and school, but also to their own evolving sense of self, from clothing and pronouns to their chosen name. Meanwhile, they begin reconnecting with Hannah, who has her own complicated history with their conservative parents. As Ben learns to open up, they find comfort in their art teacher, Ms. Lyons (Lena Dunham), and new friends who help them feel seen and accepted.
It’s Dorfman’s gentle direction and her collaboration with Deaver that elevate “I Wish You All the Best” above many recent coming-of-age stories. Dorfman brings a calm confidence to the film, allowing her characters to sit in the awkward, tender, and painful moments of adolescence. The story never rushes Ben’s journey or forces them into catharsis. Instead, it invites the audience to walk alongside them as they come to terms with who they are and learn to share that truth when ready. The film’s most affecting moments often come through Ben’s quiet conversations with Hannah or the guidance they receive from Ms. Lyons, who encourages Ben to express themselves through art. As Ben admits, they’re used to being invisible. Still, through new relationships—particularly with their boyfriend, Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley)—they begin to take up space and be celebrated for doing so. The film beautifully illustrates how a supportive community can help a young person flourish, reminding us that acceptance enables authenticity to thrive.
Fogelmanis delivers a remarkable performance as Ben, capturing the character’s fragility and strength in equal measure. There’s a longing in their eyes, a need for belonging tempered by the fear of being hurt again. Each step Ben takes toward self-acceptance carries both courage and vulnerability. What makes Fogelmanis’s performance stand out, though, is Ben’s capacity for empathy. Despite the cruelty of their parents, Ben still yearns for their love—a feeling that Hannah, who has long since severed ties, cannot understand. Dunham also shines as Ms. Lyons, a figure of compassion who knows just when to say the right thing.
Like Netflix’s “Heartstopper,” “I Wish You All the Best” has the makings of a new queer coming-of-age classic for Generation Z. While the film addresses the pain of rejection and the challenges of coming out, its heart lies in the joy of self-discovery and the comfort of chosen family. It celebrates the fact that queer and trans kids, at the end of the day, are just kids—wanting to love, dream, experiment, make mistakes, and find their place in the world. It may be a simple story, but that simplicity is its strength. With warmth and sincerity, “I Wish You All the Best” becomes a reminder that kindness matters and that sometimes, the compassion of others can truly save a life.
