Identity and belonging are the themes at the heart of the new drama I Wish You All The Best, which recently made its debut at the 2024 South by Southwest Festival. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Mason Deaver, the film focuses on a teen whose entire world is thrown upside down when their parents throw them out of the house after they reveal they are non-binary. Mayfair Witches Alexandra Daddario and Riverdale’s Cole Sprouse star as the sister and her husband who come to the rescue when Corey Fogelmanis’ Ben’s world falls apart. I Wish You All The Best is being distributed by Lionsgate Films.
After their parents react negatively to the news that they are non-binary, Ben must call his estranged sister, Hannah (Daddario) for help. Hannah and her husband, Thomas (Sprouse) take Ben in, and after the disastrous reaction of their parents, Ben decides to keep a low profile, coming out to only one more person; the art teacher at their new school, Ms. Lyons (Lena Dunham). However, a funny and charming student at their new school, Nathan, decides to take Ben under his wing, and with his help, along with friends Sophie and Mel, Ben is on a road to discovery that will lead from disaster to a happier, and healthier new life.
Screen Rant interviews filmmaker Tommy Dorfman and star Corey Fogelmanis at SXSW where they were promoting I Wish You All The Best. The pair talked about the importance of telling non-binary and queer stories in film, and how it can be a useful tool for understanding and accepting not only those transitioning but the people in their lives.
Screen Rant: Tommy, you wrote and directed this movie, based on a book. How did you find it? What inspired you to take on this tale?
Ben is a character who comes out to their parents as non-binary, and it doesn’t go so well. They move in with relatives to find people who are going to support them, and they find themselves along the way. Corey, tell us a little bit about how you related to Ben.
Tommy, what was your search like to find Ben? Casting was so vital here.
Corey, tell us a little more about how you grew as an actor, and as a person playing this role. As I mentioned, it would be a heavy load for any actor.
I think it’s really a film that’s going to draw a lot of reactions, with people of any age connecting to it, relating to it, and also learning from it. What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about non-binary people that this film addresses?
It’s funny because, working in the entertainment industry in these coastal cities, we can be in our own bubbles. Then you watch a story like this and see that parents in this country are still reacting [negatively] to kids when they come out as trans or queer or non-binary. How far do you think we’ve come, and how far do you think we still have to go when it comes to acceptance in this country?
Corey, let’s talk about the actors who play your welcoming relatives. They gives you some amazing costars, Alexandra Daddario and Cole Sprouse. What was it like to work those two?
Also very memorable appearance from Lena Dunham. Can you talk about how Lena came into the picture?
Also, great music. Can you talk a little bit about the music for this?
Source: Screen Rant Plus