Alexandra Daddario finds strength in sisterhood and motherhood.
From Percy Jackson to The White Lotus, Alexandra Daddario has built a career defined by heart, resilience, and emotional honesty — qualities she brings to her latest role in I Wish You All the Best. As Hannah, she delivers a layered and compassionate performance in Tommy Dorfman’s feature directorial debut, based on Mason Deaver’s acclaimed novel. The film follows Ben (Corey Fogelmanis), a high school junior who comes out as nonbinary and is cast out of their home. With nowhere else to turn, Ben moves in with their estranged sister Hannah (Daddario) and her husband, played by Cole Sprouse, in a story that explores love, identity, and the power of second chances.
The story is an honest look at the pain of rejection and the healing that comes through unconditional love. For Daddario, Hannah’s fierce protectiveness came naturally. “Being the eldest sister, there’s definitely an instinct there,” she said. “But I also really drew from my motherly instincts. I had wanted to be a mother for a really long time and was trying to be one, and now I am. I wanted to be a rock for someone — to be supportive and allow them the freedom to be themselves and guide them properly.”
She described Hannah’s emotional journey as one of balance — learning to be someone’s safe place while managing her own life. “You’re overwhelmed, you’re figuring out your own stuff, but you still want to be that person people can come to and feel safe,” she added. “That’s what I love about her. She doesn’t always know what to do, but she keeps trying.”
Compassion and Connection
Beyond the family dynamic, Daddario hopes the film inspires more empathy in how people treat one another — especially young people. “Every young person deserves to have someone like Hannah,” she said. “We put so many expectations on them — what they should be, how they should act — and all that does is cause trauma and harm. I hope the film reminds people to be a little more compassionate.”
She reflected on her own youth and how the pressures of growing up can shape a person. “When you’re a teenager, everything feels chaotic — school, family, friends, the outside world,” Daddario said. “Even if everything seems fine at home, there’s always something — someone making fun of you, or that feeling of not fitting in. You wish someone could just tell you everything’s going to be okay.” She smiled, then added, “The only way out is through.”
That sense of perseverance runs through both Daddario and the character she portrays. Hannah represents the people who stay, the ones who reach out even when it’s hard. “We all need a little more patience and compassion,” Daddario said softly. “That’s how people start to heal.”
A Moment of Screen Therapy
Despite the film’s heavy emotional themes, Daddario keeps her own “screen therapy” pretty lighthearted. “Playing the piano, watching TikTok — which maybe isn’t the healthiest version of therapy,” she said with a laugh. “Laughing with friends, going for a walk, all the good, healthy stuff.”
That balance of humor and vulnerability defines her both on and off the screen. It’s part of what makes her performances feel authentic — even in the quietest, most emotional moments.
A Possible Return to the DC Universe
Before wrapping up our conversation, I asked if fans might see her return to the DC Universe after voicing Lois Lane in animated projects. She laughed, “You want to make a few phone calls for me?” before adding, “Of course, I’d love to work with James Gunn or in that world. It’s always fun to do big movies.”
The answer came with a grin but carried genuine excitement. Her charisma and wit make it easy to picture Daddario stepping into a live-action superhero role — a possibility that fans, and she herself, would clearly welcome.
A Story That Stays With You
With I Wish You All the Best now in theaters, Daddario delivers one of her most grounded performances yet — a role rooted in empathy, strength, and quiet understanding. It’s a film that doesn’t just tell a story of self-discovery; it shows the power of choosing compassion over judgment and love over fear.
I Wish You All the Best is directed and written by Tommy Dorfman, based on the novel by Mason Deaver. It stars Corey Fogelmanis, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Amy Landecker, Lena Dunham, Alexandra Daddario, and Cole Sprouse, and is produced by Matt Kaplan and Tommy Dorfman.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
