After years of the romantic comedy taking a backseat in theaters, Anyone But You rode in on pure star power and a “will they hate each other or love each other” premise, and actually managed to bring people back to the genre. It’s not reinventing anything, but sometimes a gorgeous cast, a Shakespeare skeleton, and a destination wedding is all a rom-com needs.
Overview
Anyone But You is a 2023 romantic comedy directed by Will Gluck, loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as Bea and Ben, two people who share an electric first date that turns cold overnight — only to be thrown back together months later at a destination wedding in Australia, where they fake a relationship to keep their families off their backs.
Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 1 hr 43 min |
| Based on | Loosely inspired by Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare |
| Genre | Romance, Comedy |
| Cast | Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, Hadley Robinson, Darren Barnet, GaTa, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths, Bryan Brown |
| Release Date | December 22, 2023 |
| Where to watch | Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV) |
| IBDM Rating | 6.1/10 |
Plot Summary
Bea and Ben meet in a coffee shop and share an unexpectedly perfect day together, ending at his apartment for what seems like the start of something real. A morning-after misunderstanding sours it all, and the two part on bad terms, convinced they can’t stand each other. Months later, they’re forced back into each other’s orbit when Bea’s sister Halle gets engaged to Ben’s close friend Claudia, and the wedding lands them both at the same destination event in Australia. To dodge their meddling families — and Bea’s persistent ex — the two agree to fake a relationship for the week. Naturally, pretending to be together starts stirring up the real feelings they’ve both been denying.
Why You Should Watch It
- Sweeney and Powell have genuine chemistry. Critics and audiences agree the leads’ banter and charisma carry the film even when the plot doesn’t break new ground.
- It leans into old-school rom-com energy. Several reviewers compare it favorably to early 2000s romantic comedies — a style that’s been largely missing from theaters in recent years.
- The Shakespeare backbone adds unexpected depth. For those familiar with Much Ado About Nothing, the film sprinkles in quotes and structural nods that reward a rewatch.
- Stunning Australian scenery. The destination wedding setting gives the film a bright, vacation-ready visual style that’s easy on the eyes.
Recommendations
If you enjoyed Anyone But You, here’s what to watch next:
- Set It Up — Another charming, lighthearted rom-com featuring Glen Powell, with a similarly breezy tone.
- 10 Things I Hate About You — A classic teen rom-com also loosely based on Shakespeare, for more of that literary-meets-romance flavor.
- The Hating Game — A workplace enemies-to-lovers story with the same slow-burn tension and banter.
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days — For fans of the early-2000s rom-com energy this film is channeling.
- Boulevard (2026) — If you want to stay in the “attractive leads, dramatic chemistry” lane but shift into a heavier, more angst-driven romance.
Conclusion
Anyone But You isn’t trying to be a groundbreaking rom-com — it’s trying to be a fun one, and on that front, it succeeds. With magnetic lead chemistry, a scenic backdrop, and just enough Shakespearean structure to feel a little smarter than your average genre entry, it’s an easy, entertaining watch for anyone who’s been missing big, glossy romantic comedies at the movies.