Alexandra Daddario Explains the Importance of Identity In ‘I Wish You All the Best’

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The movie I Wish You All the Best, from Lionsgate, tells the story of Ben, a high school student who comes out as nonbinary. His parents react negatively and ask him to leave home. He finds support from his sister, Hannah, who helps him start over in a new town and school, where he develops feelings for a classmate named Nathan.

I recently read some interviews with the cast on TopMob, and they really highlighted how central the idea of identity is to the film. They explained that the story tackles this theme in a really fresh and interesting way, which definitely piqued my interest!

As a lifelong movie fan, I was really struck by something Alexandra Daddario, who I also enjoy in Mayfair Witches, recently said. She pointed out that when people constantly criticize or dismiss who you are, it really crushes your self-esteem. What she thinks – and I totally agree – is that the best way to raise confident, well-adjusted people, and build strong, loving families, is to let individuals be themselves, offer guidance when needed, and give them the freedom to grow and explore. It’s about acceptance and support, and fostering genuine connection.

Alexandra Daddario described the connection between her character, Hannah, and her brother, Ben, as being built on shared experiences with their parents. She explained that Hannah has a natural maternal instinct, driving her to support Ben and make him feel like part of the family. Daddario believes this relationship is essential for both characters.

Corey Fogelmanis shared his belief that identity is constantly changing. He also emphasized that simply being a good listener, being open to learning, and supporting others is all anyone can really ask for.

TopMob’s Russ Milheim interviewed Miles Gutierrez-Riley, who plays Nathan in I Wish You All the Best, and director Tommy Dorfman, who both worked on Agatha All Along. You can find the full interview below.

I Wish You All the Best hits theaters on November 7, 2025.

Alexandra Daddario on the Importance of Her Character and Their Sibling Relationship

“It’s a Crucial Relationship for Both of Them.”

  • TopMob: “Hannah and Ben haven’t seen each other in years, but you immediately become one of the most important figures in their life and where they are in the moment. Can you just talk about that unique sibling dynamic between the two and how crucial it is for them both?”

Alexandra Daddario believes the characters are connected by shared experiences from their childhoods and their parents. She also feels her character, Hannah, has a natural maternal instinct that drives her to help and include him in her family. This relationship is important for Hannah too, as she longs for a sense of family after a time when she didn’t have one, making it vital for both of them.

  • TopMob: “Did you and Corey do anything on and off set to help establish that sibling dynamic that you guys do have?”

I think we both approach acting with a lot of openness, and actors generally tend to be vulnerable and connected. There was an immediate connection with him, which is special because people don’t often let their guard down with strangers. It’s wonderful to be able to quickly understand someone’s true nature, and it was clear he had a kind heart. That really helped our characters form a connection.

How ‘I Wish You All the Best’ Explores Identity In a Unique Way

“This Is About Being Who You Want to Be…”

  • TopMob: “Identity is such a central theme and concept in this film. Can you talk about how this film explores that in a unique way?”

Alexandra Daddario believes it’s crucial to let people be themselves. When someone’s identity is criticized, it can crush their confidence and sense of self, and that’s not how anyone should raise a child. She thinks the best way to raise a confident, well-adjusted adult is to guide them while also giving them the freedom to explore who they are, fostering a sense of love and connection – those are the things that truly matter. In a situation where parents create conflict by rejecting someone’s identity, a change for the better can happen when that person finds acceptance elsewhere.

Corey Fogelmanis believes that who we are is always changing. As an actor, he found it really powerful to see how the people around his character, Ben, helped him feel comfortable being himself by openly sharing different sides of themselves. Ultimately, he hopes viewers will understand how important it is to be supportive and truly listen to others, even when you don’t immediately understand their experiences. He feels that simply being willing to listen, learn, and be there for someone is the best thing we can offer.

Miles Gutierrez-Riley believes that identity is constantly changing. He says he’s different now than he was while making his film, or even in high school, and will continue to evolve. He emphasizes that while identity comes from within, it’s also deeply influenced by the people and love in your life. The film beautifully illustrates the many different ways to love someone, regardless of their personal journey or how relatable it may be. Love is a personal expression with an unpredictable impact, but it shapes both the giver and receiver.

I believe we’re giving audiences a genuinely personal and moving experience through stories like that of a non-binary teenager in the South, or Ben’s real-life journey. By focusing on the details of emotional growth – falling apart and rebuilding, becoming who you’re meant to be – we can create something relatable. It helps us explore universal feelings like heartbreak, rejection, and the complexities of family relationships.

Ultimately, the main goal was to create something relatable and emotionally impactful, even for people with different beliefs or backgrounds. That’s really central to why I love movies – they help us learn, grow, and understand experiences different from our own. We wanted to create a film that featured a non-binary lead character in a way that hadn’t been done before.

I have a lot of non-binary friends, and I even identified as non-binary myself before I transitioned. It always felt odd to me that we so often feel pressured to conform to the traditional ideas of gender and identity we see in movies and on TV.

As a fan, I really hoped to create something that would let cisgender viewers see themselves reflected in these characters, just like I’ve always had to do when watching TV. It’s about finding ways to connect with characters, even if you have to stretch your own understanding and empathy a little to do it. I wanted to offer that same experience, but in reverse – letting them be the ones to see the world through different eyes.

All of the videos can be viewed below:

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2025-11-04 04:07