SXSW 2024: ‘I Wish You All The Best’ Reviewed

I Wish You All the Best began as a young adult novel from Mason Deaver. It follows the story of young teen and their struggles with anxiety and self identity while coming out as non-binary. When Ben DeBacker informs his traditional parents, he is kicked out of the home. The only person he can turn to is his sister, who is also estranged from the family, and her husband. Given an opportunity to start anew at a different school, Ben wants to keep to themself, but an encounter with charming classmate helps them come out of their shell.

Soon the book will be hitting the big screen with an adaptation written and directed by Tommy Dorfman. I Wish You All the Best recently had its world premiere at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW). 

Dorfman crafts an authentic story that brings nuance and insight to an experience she personally knows. The script articulates well the internal confusion and conflict a non-binary person goes through to better understand where they are coming from. As an outsider looking in, there is more context. But, it could also help someone in a similar situation have that eureka moment to pinpoint and describe their own feelings. 

I Wish You All the Best also focuses on a more positive spin to Ben’s journey focusing on the understanding and caring support system around them. Ben has the comfort around them during their moments of self discovery. Even the darker moments such as the drama with the parents takes a less is more approach that can still the convey the raw emotions without showing the ugliness. It’s not a completely Hollywood ending per se, but the optimistic outlook makes things more sweet than bitter. 

Corey Fogelmans shines in the lead role. It’s so heartwarming to watch their character evolve and mature over the course of the film from timid and lost to confident and fierce. That evolution is best represented by changes in their fashion sense. Fogelmans makes Ben so endearing that you can’t help but root for them. But there’s also a vulnerability there particularly during the romantic relationship. Even someone you feel so connected to might not always understand you.

There are overall great performances from the rest of the cast. Miles Gutierrez-Riley as the love interest Nathan is so charismatic and charming you can understand why Ben is so smitten. Riley and Fogelmans’ chemistry is so adorable and sweet that it reminds you of the whimsy and excitement of a first love. Lena Dunham’s Ms. Lyons provides wisdom, sympathy, and comic relief. Even Alexandra Daddario and Cole Sprouts have their moments as Ben’s sibling/ parental figures. They all seem so interesting and you wish they could have received more development. But in the end, I Wish You All the Best is all about Ben and they all do their part complementing their journey.

Dorfman’s directorial debut mixes the bitter with the sweet to tell an insightful tale about the hardships and emotional struggles associated with coming out non-binary.