[SXSW 2024] I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST -- Non-Binary Coming-of-Age Adds a Refreshing Perspective to Queer Canon

Review by Sean Boelman

Ben (Corey Fogelmanis), Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), and Thomas (Cole Sprouse) lay in bed. | Credit: ACE Entertainment.

Coming-of-age stories are a dime a dozen, and recently, we have seen a wave featuring queer protagonists. I Wish You All the Best doesn’t break the formula narratively; however, it does defy expectations in other ways, delivering a deeply empathetic portrait of growing up from a diverse and often underrepresented perspective.

The film follows a nonbinary teen who, after being kicked out of the house by their parents, moves in with their estranged adult sister, setting off a journey of mutual discovery and understanding. Based on a novel by Mason Deaver that’s only a few years old, I Wish You All the Best is a very comfortable entry in its genre, but does some things notably well.

Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, it often feels like the movie is rushing through many beats. The arcs move incredibly quickly, with characters changing in what feels like the blink of an eye. However, the script has several remarkable moments. These scenes are wisely given the time they deserve and carry much of the film.

Yet, though the movie adheres to many of the familiar tropes of the coming-of-age genre, it does it with a unique perspective and level of representation that makes it feel refreshing. Trans filmmaker Tommy Dorfman adapts this story of a nonbinary teen with a necessarily subtle hand. It feels like a queer story that just is — not something that’s meant to be flashy or showy.

It’s invigorating to see a film about the queer experience that is as hopeful as this. Although the movie doesn’t shy away from the darkness, it also shows the support the character receives from others. It’s a reminder that, with kindness, the world can be a better, much more compassionate place.

The cast also deserves a lot of props for elevating I Wish You All the Best beyond the usual level of the coming-of-age drama. Alexandra Daddario has never been better than she is here, showing a range you might not expect from the actress. Cole Sprouse plays more to type — quirky and awkward but charming — but his performance works well. Lena Dunham also has a supporting role, and while it’s much smaller, she gets a few scenes that either get really hard laughs or a few tears.

However, the real discovery here is Corey Fogelmanis. Calling him a “discovery” might be unfair because he’s had a decade-long career as a child star — mostly in young-adult television — but this role has breakout potential and star power. Fogelmanis brings a necessary vulnerability to the character, even during the more conventional or melodramatic beats, that keeps the film thoroughly sympathetic.

I Wish You All the Best stands out in a crowded coming-of-age genre thanks to its distinct perspective and authentic approach to these common themes and tropes. Many young people are going to feel heard, thanks to this movie, and that makes it an essential work of cinema for the current generation.

I Wish You All the Best screened at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which ran March 8-16 in Austin, TX.

​Rating: 4.5/5