Wishful Thinking Review: Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke’s Volatile Love Beautifully Breaks the Bounds of the Universe

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The first season of the Canadian TV show Slings and Arrows ends with Geoffrey (Paul Gross) and Ellen (Martha Burns) watching a performance of Romeo & Juliet and disagreeing about its quality. Ellen bluntly states she dislikes the play, finding it depressing and unrealistic because it portrays a level of passion most people never experience. Geoffrey, however, a dedicated romantic, believes the play is actually very true to life. He argues that it simply shows how quickly things can go wrong: “Two people meet, fall in love, enjoy it for a little while, and then everything falls apart. It happens all the time.”

Falling deeply in love for the first time can feel all-consuming, like everything else fades into the background. It’s common to feel incredibly self-assured in a new relationship, genuinely believing it’s the most important thing in the world, and even that you’ve discovered love itself. We often say “love can move mountains” as a nice sentiment, but what if that were actually true?

Wishful Thinking Dreams Up All The Beauty and The Bloodshed That Love Can Do

Graham Parkes’ first feature film is a captivating exploration of a deeply connected, yet somewhat reckless, couple – a love story with a touch of magical realism. Charlie and Julie (played by Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke) share a unique bond that allows them to make their desires a reality. However, when their connection falters, they face increasingly dangerous consequences, as if their ambition has a dark side.

Parkes, who also wrote the screenplay, introduces his main characters very effectively. We quickly understand that Charlie and Julie share a strong, unusual connection, but both struggle with self-control. Charlie frequently flies into sudden rages, while Julie relies on sarcastic humor to hide her vulnerabilities. When things are good between them, they’re incredibly passionate, but they rarely experience any peace. Their connection is intense and volatile, leading to both fiery highs and destructive lows.

Charlie, a musician and audio engineer, and Julie, an app and game developer, met at a concert in Portland, Oregon. Julie was just visiting, but they had a wonderful night together that led to her relocating to be with Charlie. However, things haven’t been easy lately, and they’ve been arguing a lot. A friend, hoping to help, gives them tickets to a relationship workshop led by the comedic Tilly twins, Kate Berlant and her sister.

During a hypnotic experience, the couple unexpectedly begins speaking in perfect synchronization, which is unsettling for everyone involved. They soon discover a strange connection: their relationship’s health directly impacts the world around them. A delicate fiddle-leaf fig tree flourishes when they’re happy, but withers during arguments. To confirm this, they intentionally have a terrible night, complete with physical and verbal fights, and observe that Charlie’s investments plummet as a result.

Once they start focusing on their relationships and intimacy, things quickly improve. Julie’s boss suddenly values her input and offers her a big promotion and funding. Charlie’s band has a hit song, reaching number nine on the charts, and his mother, who is battling cancer, unexpectedly finds love.

Everything has a downside, and Julie’s rising success unfortunately leads to her coworker Jeff (Jake Shane) losing his job, as his skills are no longer needed. Meanwhile, Charlie’s band is unexpectedly gaining attention online, but for negative reasons – people mistakenly believe their song has a hidden, far-right message. Adding to the chaos, a hilarious subplot involves Jon Hamm, who plays a version of himself, rapidly recovering from a serious car accident thanks to the unpredictable actions of Charlie and Julie.

This couple acts impulsively, often without thinking of the consequences for themselves or those around them. Their relationship is chaotic and unpredictable, much like a free-form jazz performance. The music, composed by Oliver Lewin, beautifully captures this ebb and flow. Director Parkes highlights the sharp contrasts within their lives, often using split-screen shots to show the extreme highs and lows of their connection.

The film largely succeeds thanks to the powerful performances of its two leads. Lewis Pullman is especially remarkable, bringing a nuanced and sensitive energy to his role. He portrays a beautiful range of emotions, shifting effortlessly between gentle and intense, reminiscent of a skilled pianist playing a complex piece. His chemistry with Hawke is wonderful, and together they explore the idea that strong relationships – and even breakups – require both partners to be humble and take responsibility. The film suggests that avoiding accountability is simply unrealistic.

Wishful Thinking screened at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

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2026-03-18 16:15