Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drinking, sex in tender queer teen coming-of-age drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
I Wish You All the Best
What's the Story?
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST follows Ben (Casey Fogelmanis), who's been kicked out of the house after coming out as nonbinary to their parents. After moving in with their sister, Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), and brother-in-law, Thomas (Cole Sprouse), and enrolling in a new school, Ben slowly realizes that the way to feel good about yourself is to be yourself. It helps that they're surrounded by a diverse group of supportive friends that includes bisexual Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley), lesbian Sophie (Lisa Yamada), and ally Meleika (Lexi Underwood).
Is It Any Good?
Even butterflies will be tipping their wings to writer-director Tommy Dorfman's tender story of metamorphosis. I Wish You All the Best is a lovely coming-of-age journey that invites viewers to take flight with a teen discovering their true self. Prejudice is rooted in ignorance, and this film (based on the book by Mason Deaver) aims to solve that by asking viewers to walk in Ben's shoes, experiencing their vulnerability, their desire for acceptance, the pain caused by their parents' rejection, and the joy of finding their community. Ben's expressions of confusion and self—and viewers' ability to see what makes Ben feel secure and safe—deliver understanding in an empathetic, compassionate way.
Putting Ben's journey of self-discovery in the genre of a romance is a choice that pays off: Ben is falling in love with Nathan, but, really, falling in love with themself. After Nathan expresses how head over heels he is for Ben, Ben withdraws—cocoons, really. And the Ben who emerges after is bolder, more confident, and more themself. We know Ben will be fine, even if their relationship with Nathan doesn't work out, and that may help some viewers realize that they want other teens going through similar changes to be fine, too. That's the significance of a film like this: It doesn't just tell a story, it helps create a world in which everyone will hopefully feel safer being exactly who they are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how I Wish You All the Best portrays nonbinary and queer characters. Did you learn anything new from the story? Why are diverse representations important in the media?
Director Tommy Dorfman is a transgender woman, and author Mason Deaver, whose bestselling book is the movie's source material, is nonbinary. Do you think the film would have been as effective if the writer and/or director weren't also queer?
Are teen drinking and drug use glamorized or normalized here? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Which characters act with compassion, courage, and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths? Do you consider anyone here a role model? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 7, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : November 25, 2025
- Cast : Corey Fogelmanis , Alexandra Daddario , Cole Sprouse , Lena Dunham
- Director : Tommy Dorfman
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Lesbian Movie Director(s) , Transgender Movie Director(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, sexual content, and teen drug and alcohol use
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : November 18, 2025
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