Anyone But You (2023)
Anyone But You is not the worst rom-com there is, but it’s definitely not the best. Here’s what goes down: Bea, a low-key law student, and Ben, a finance bro with emotions denser than a black hole, have a steamy first date that ends in a blowout for the ages—something you’d find in Shakespeare. Flash forward, and they’re both stuck at an Australian destination wedding, pretending they’re a perfect couple to satisfy nosy relatives. Hilarity ensues.
Well, I say hilarity loosely because it really falls limp in places like those same old jokes about awkward public demonstrations of affection and family chaos or that final act of misunderstanding that we all know too well. The dialogue constantly goes back and forth between cheeky and cringey, with lines that maybe even people who’ve seen every rom-com might cringe at. Yeah, you know the fall into his arms scene followed by passionate kissing? That one.
As charming as Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell are as actors, their chemistry together is as weak as wet fireworks. The banter feels forced, and the emotional stakes never quite reach where they need to be for us to truly care for them. Even Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths’ comedic timing can’t save this film from its script.
The Australian scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, of course, but it’s wasted on shots of beaches and sunsets that look like they should be slapped on postcards. It’s like director Will Gluck has forgotten that just because a setting looks good doesn’t mean it is good in terms of storytelling. The pace was slow, moving through predictable plot twists and lengthy monologues. The soundtrack also falls short of adding emotional depth or thematic resonance with its forgettable mix of pop songs.
Anyone But You so badly wishes it was one of those smart modern takes on classic enemies-to-lovers stories, but the truth is, it’s just a flop. It’s predictable, uninspired, and, at the end of the day, forgettable. The cast and setting had some potential, but they were buried under a mix of cliches, unoriginal writing, and aimless direction.
This film may do if you’re only looking for a light rom-com to pass the time, but if you’re looking for genuine wit, emotional depth, or even an ounce of originality, then give it a miss. This film is not it, and even the most diehard rom-com fan would probably say, “Anything But This!”
(In cinemas — check your local movie guide for show times.)