Anyone But You

December 2023 brought an unexpected gift to romantic comedy fans: a $25 million studio romcom that would go on to gross over $214 million worldwide. Anyone But You stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as Bea and Ben, two strangers who share a magical first date, only to have it implode through a series of misunderstandings. Two years later, they find themselves at the same destination wedding in Sydney, Australia.

Desperate to avoid awkward questions from their families, the pair agree to pretend they are a couple for the weekend. What follows is a sun-drenched charade of staged romantic gestures, forced proximity, and genuine chemistry that refuses to stay buried. Director Will Gluck, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ilana Wolpert, loosely adapts Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing into a contemporary enemies-to-lovers story.

The film's marketing leaned heavily on the real-life friendship between Sweeney and Powell, generating buzz that translated into sold-out theaters. Shot on location at Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, and the Opera House, the movie became a tourism boon for Australia. Its soundtrack, featuring Natasha Bedingfield's Unwritten, sparked a streaming resurgence for the 2004 hit. Critics were divided, but audiences embraced it, making Anyone But You the highest-grossing original live-action romcom since 2018.[edit]

Bea (Sydney Sweeney) is a law school graduate questioning her career path when she meets Ben (Glen Powell), a charming businessman, in a coffee shop. Their instant connection leads to a perfect first date, but a series of miscommunications leaves both nursing hurt feelings and resentment.

Two years later, Bea and Ben are shocked to discover they are both attending the same destination wedding in Sydney, Australia. Bea's sister Halle (Hadley Robinson) is marrying Claudia's (Alexandra Shipp) brother, making the wedding a blended family affair. Bea's parents Leo (Dermot Mulroney) and Innie (Rachel Griffiths) are thrilled about the match, while Ben's best friend Pete (GaTa) and Claudia serve as key organizers.

The central conflict emerges when Bea and Ben realize their families and friends are all rooting for them to reconcile, mistakenly believing they are still secretly together. To avoid awkward questions and family pressure, they reluctantly agree to pretend they are a couple for the duration of the wedding weekend. Their fake relationship becomes an elaborate charade involving staged romantic gestures, coordinated stories, and increasingly ridiculous public displays of affection.

As they navigate the wedding festivities, including hiking trips, beach outings, and pre-wedding parties, their forced proximity begins to blur the lines between pretense and genuine feeling. The film follows their journey from animosity to reluctant cooperation to rediscovering the connection they once shared, all set against the stunning backdrop of Sydney's harbor, beaches, and iconic landmarks.[edit]