Ben Wang Continues His Stellar Run In Hilariously Weak Excessive Faculty Comedy

Within the pantheon of highschool moviesfew have efficiently handled children like full-blown adults with precise, real-sounding dialogue. Fewer nonetheless know find out how to sort out psychological well being in a approach that does not really feel preachy or particularly put upon. The quick magic of Brianthe characteristic directorial debut from The Fallout actor Will Ropp, is that it does each with grace, ease, and a wholesome understanding that typically messing up repeatedly is simply very humorous.

Ben Wang performs the titular Brian, a seventeen-year-old scuffling with an anxiousness dysfunction that largely manifests in outbursts of uncontrollable rage. The scenario is such that the whole faculty appears to learn about it, with the school even adhering to particular protocol about what to do when Brian loses management. That is embarrassing sufficient for him, particularly since he has a crush on his instructor Ms. Osweiler (Natalie Morales), which he believes is not only a crush however “actual grownup love.“

Brian Soars Thanks To A Refreshingly Actual Understanding of Psychological Well being Challenges

In fact, an enormous purpose it really works is Wang, who’s on a run of stellar work (together with 2025’s The Lengthy Stroll and the upcoming Gail Daughtry and the Celeb Intercourse Move). As Brian, he’s bitingly hilarious and achingly weak. His each transfer feels actual, which is simple to do when you’ve got dialogue as sensitively written as this from Late Evening With Seth Meyers scribe Mike Scollins. From prime to backside, Brian simply actually works. It is aware of what sport it is taking part in and does it with grounded honesty and the sort of blistering comedy that may solely emanate from a really real place.

Real is one thing Brian can not help however be – refreshing at an age when the strain to have every little thing discovered is sky-high. He could not know precisely what he needs out of life, however he does know that he’ll not less than attempt. That features making an attempt out for the drama membership, regardless that he approaches his Julius Caesar monologue with an exaggerated RP British dialect. The audition was fairly stable, however Brian’s social anxiousness prevents him from having even a slight modicum of self-confidence. So, when the drama instructor begins whispering about his audition in entrance of him, he responds with a torrent of anger that culminates in him primarily telling his superior to go f**ok himself.

Nobody fairly is aware of find out how to deal with Brian, least of all himself. His mom (Edi Patterson) and father (Randall Park) are each splendidly candy with him, but additionally typically give recommendation that’s contradictory, or else unknowingly shut him down. His brother, Kyle (Sam Track Li) is his diametric reverse: effortlessly cool, athletic, socially lubricated always, and susceptible to ribbing his youthful brother with aggression. But, beneath all that, it is clear all of them love him and need him to thrive.

However when Brian decides to run for pupil class president (largely as a result of Ms. Osweiler is the school advisor), nobody is aware of find out how to reply. It looks like the worst factor that Brian might do, given his disposition, and the one troublesome spot the movie runs into is justifying this left-field conduct. Inappropriate crushes however, it does not appear all that doubtless that somebody with such debilitating social points would do that to himself.

Nonetheless, the selection does result in some stunning revelations and pure debunking of mythology round what constitutes being cool, sensible, proficient, engaging, or every other field that the binaries of highschool site visitors in. Brian is an excellent proxy for anybody who has felt othered and dismissed. That will sound easy, and it’s, however Ropp is a extremely expert director. His economical strategy permits us to query for ourselves in actual time what it’s we need out of maturity. Even when we’re already there.

Brian is rounded out by distinct, comically irreverent, and loving performances. Edi Patterson is not any stranger to any Righteous Gem stones or Comedy Bang! Bang! followers, however she strikes a distinct chord right here as a mom in just a bit bit over her head. She’s as absurdly humorous flirting with Brian’s solely actual pal, Justin (Joshua Colley), as she is heartbreaking when consoling her son. Jacob Moskovitz and Sophia Macy are completely suited to play Brian’s oddball counterparts in pupil authorities, and Colley is tender and candy in the kind of function that may typically be stereotyped.

However that is Ben Wang’s movie, and he proves to be distinctly prepared for the duty. It is so thrilling to see a job this well-suited to an actor. Ropp and Scollins have made a movie in regards to the actual second in burgeoning maturity when it’s a must to study that there’s a world larger than your self. Ceaselessly that journey may be painful, and for Brian… it’s. However additionally it is hilarious, foolish, and crammed with the enjoyment of life’s best discoveries.

Brian screened on the 2026 SXSW Movie & TV Competition.