Ben Wang is absolutely brilliant in Brian, a hilariously awkward, dark, and heartfelt coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the chaos of high school.
Brian is a messy, hilarious, and ultimately touching journey through the minefield of adolescence, mental health, and the desperate search for self-acceptance. I absolutely loved this film because it manages to be cute and fun while never shying away from its sharper, darker edges.
The undisputed heart of this film is Ben Wang. I’ve seen him in other projects before, like The Long Walk, but Brian is where he is truly allowed to shine and flex his comedic muscles. He plays Brian, a kid who is smart, funny, and capable, but buried under layers of mental health struggles that make it nearly impossible for the world (or himself) to see those strengths. Wang’s performance is brilliant. He perfectly showcases Brian’s vulnerability through comedy in a way that will have viewers cracking up, but still feeling bad for him. As someone who was definitely an awkward kid, I found myself relating to so much of what Brian goes through, even if the movie rightfully dials those cringe-inducing moments up to eleven.
One of my favorite aspects of this film is that Brian has an incredibly unhealthy, unrequited crush on his teacher, Brooke (played by Natalie Morales). After a drama club audition goes south in the most public way possible, Brian decides his thing will be running for class president. Why? Because said teacher is the student government advisor. Class president is objectively the worst possible fit for someone prone to public meltdowns, which is exactly why it makes for such a hilarious story.
One of the strongest elements of the film is Brian’s defense mechanism. He uses self-deprecation like a shield, refusing to believe that anyone could actually be interested in what he has to say. It isn’t until the new kid, Justin (played by Joshua Colley), moves to town that Brian starts to find a crack in that armor. Their friendship is one of the highlights of the movie – it’s authentic, messy, and provides the grounding Brian needs to navigate his high-stakes campaign.
The supporting cast does a wonderful job keeping viewers interested throughout the film. Brian’s home life cracked me up because of the brilliant chemistry between Edi Patterson and Randall Park as his parents. They spend a significant amount of time poking fun at him, but the script ensures you know it comes from a place of love. They are kind to him when it counts, which struck a chord with me personally. My husband and I joke around with our kids all the time – maybe not quite to the extent seen on screen, but the rapport felt incredibly familiar and warm.
Then there is William H. Macy as Brian’s therapist. These scenes are vital because they pull back the curtain on Brian’s internal struggle. This is where we learn how he actually feels about his effortlessly cool older brother and the weight of his own expectations. It’s in these moments that the film’s dark side comes through, reminding us that while we are laughing at the absurdity of a student-teacher crush or a failed audition, Brian is a kid who is genuinely struggling to keep his head above water.
Ultimately, Brian works because it respects its protagonist. It doesn’t treat his mental health as a punchline, but rather as a hurdle in a race he is determined to run. It’s a great coming-of-age story that feels fresh despite the familiar setting. Ben Wang carries the film with ease, proving he is a leading man to watch. If you’re looking for a movie that is equal parts hilarious, bizarre, and heartfelt, Brian is a landslide victory.
About Brian
It sucks to be Brian. He’s smart, funny, and capable, but his mental health issues make it hard for anyone to see it – especially when compared to his effortlessly cool older brother. At school, Brian harbors an unrequited crush on Brooke: she’s smart, kind, pretty… and very much his teacher. A disastrous drama club audition leads to yet another one of Brian’s trademark public meltdowns.
Thus begins Brian’s search for his new “thing”. On paper he’s chosen the worst possible fit: running for class president. With help from his therapist and the new kid, Justin, Brian launches his high-stakes campaign and sparks a messy, exquisitely awkward journey toward self-acceptance.
Brian played at SXSW 2026.
NEXT: SXSW 2026: 20 Films That We Cannot Wait To See
Ben Wang is absolutely brilliant in Brian, a hilariously awkward, dark, and heartfelt coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the chaos of high school.
-
9
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.