You don’t expect to see a nonbinary teen lead a mainstream film backed by Lionsgate. And you definitely don’t expect that story to feel this human.
But the trailer for I Wish You All The Best drops like a sigh in a crowded room—quiet, self-aware, and emotionally loaded. Adapted from Mason Deaver’s bestselling novel and making its debut under the careful eye of actor-turned-director Tommy Dorfman, this is no preachy after-school special. It’s personal. Painfully so.
The film follows Ben DeBacker (Corey Fogelmanis), a teenager kicked out of their home after coming out as nonbinary. They crash at the home of their estranged sister (played with layered warmth by Alexandra Daddario) and her hesitant-but-kind husband (Cole Sprouse). Tossed into a new school, Ben does what most teens would—tries to disappear. Until Nathan (Miles Gutierrez-Riley) shows up with effortless charm and the kind of sincerity that makes you want to roll your eyes… and then cry.
There’s a moment in the trailer—brief, but brutal—where Ben whispers, “I feel like I don’t fit.” It’s not just a line. It’s a wound. And Dorfman, directing with a kind of lived-in grace, doesn’t cover it with glitter or overexplanation. She lets it sit.
This is the kind of film that could easily tip into message-movie territory. It doesn’t. Why? Because it’s not about being a “nonbinary film.” It’s about Ben. About fear, about first love, about late-night drives and half-hearted apologies. It’s about how hard it is to survive your teenage years when your entire existence feels like a protest.
The supporting cast rounds it out with texture. Lena Dunham’s art teacher (Ms. Lyons) gives off big “I’m weird, but I see you” energy. Daddario gives the kind of layered performance that reminds you she’s more than just her earlier roles. And Sprouse, somehow, plays the adult without condescending—a small miracle in a film like this.
Let’s talk tone. The trailer balances softness with sharp edges. It’s lit like an indie but paced like a YA drama, somewhere between The Spectacular Now and Lady Bird, but with its own quiet rhythm. The color grading? Muted warmth. The score? Simple piano, hesitant strings. Nothing screams; everything simmers.
This is also a coming-of-age movie not afraid of stillness. Dorfman—known for 13 Reasons Why—seems to understand the power of silence. Of what isn’t said. That’s what makes this different. And maybe what makes it necessary.
Premiering at SXSW in 2024, the film earned early praise for its emotional honesty. And with Lionsgate set to release it in theaters on November 7th, 2025, there’s hope this won’t be just a festival darling that disappears into digital dust.
Look—maybe you’re tired of “representation” as buzzword. Maybe you’re skeptical of first-time directors. Or YA adaptations. Or Lena Dunham, for that matter. Fair. But watch the trailer. Really watch it. And tell me you don’t see something.
Because sometimes, you don’t need a revolution. Just a small, human story told with care.
And this one? It fits.
