Brian: A High School Comedy with Heart, Hilarity, and Brutal Honesty
Teen films have often struggled to balance sharp wit with genuine teenage angst and mental health realities. Brian, the debut feature from director Will Ropp, shatters expectations by handling both subjects with a refreshing blend of empathy and sharp, irreverent comedy. The result is a film that doesn’t talk down to its audience but instead respects the intelligence and nuance of teen experiences—especially for those navigating complex emotional landscapes.
Ben Wang Delivers an Unforgettable Lead Performance
At the center of the film, Ben Wang is nothing short of magnetic as Brian, a 17-year-old whose anxiety disorder regularly explodes into awkwardly public outbursts of rage. This isn’t the typical caricature of troubled youth; Wang infuses every scene with an electric vulnerability, his comic timing just as sharp as his emotional depth. The script, penned by Mike Scollins (known for his work on Late Night With Seth Meyers), capitalizes on Wang’s unique blend of nervous energy and earnestness, making Brian impossible not to root for—even as he careens from one social disaster to another.
The film’s commitment to authenticity shines through early. Everyone at Brian’s school is painfully aware of his condition, to the point that there are established protocols for when he loses control. For Brian, that’s humiliating enough; it doesn’t help that he’s hopelessly, awkwardly in love with his teacher Ms. Osweiler (portrayed by Natalie Morales), whom he views as the embodiment of ‘real adult love’—an infatuation as cringeworthy as it is relatable.
Candid Comedy That Doesn’t Flinch Away from Mental Health
What elevates Brian above standard high school comedy fare is its acute awareness of mental health’s messy realities. The film isn’t interested in moralizing or easy answers—it acknowledges the pain, frustration, and comedy that come from feeling like an outsider. The dialogue is razor-sharp and painfully real. Brian’s attempt to join the drama club is both hilarious and excruciating; his Julius Caesar audition, delivered in an overblown RP British accent, is undercut by his own self-sabotaging anxiety. When overhearing teachers gossip about his performance, he snaps in a way that manages to walk the tightrope between hilarious and heartbreaking.
A Cast of Characters That Feel Real
The supporting cast brings texture to Brian’s world. Edi Patterson and Randall Park as his well-meaning but sometimes misguided parents oscillate between comedic awkwardness and genuine warmth. His older brother Kyle (Sam Song Li) is practically his opposite—cool, athletic, and relentlessly teasing. It’s a family dynamic familiar to many: full of love, but not always equipped with the right words.
The ensemble is rounded out with quirky classmates in student government (Jacob Moskovitz and Sophia Macy), and Brian’s solitary friend Justin (Joshua Colley), whose tenderness avoids clichés often found in this role. The interplay among the cast keeps the tone lively, yet feels honest to the uncertainty of late adolescence.
Running for President: A Challenge to High School Myths
When Brian decides to run for class president—motivated in no small part by his crush on Ms. Osweiler, who oversees the student council—the move surprises everyone, including Brian himself. Is it plausible? The film acknowledges that Brian’s social anxiety would seemingly make this a disastrous decision. Yet, it’s through these unexpected turns that the film explores what it really means to break free of high school’s rigid social binaries about who gets to be considered cool, talented, or worthy.
Director Will Ropp uses an efficient, almost minimalist style that lets the story and performances drive the experience. He invites the audience to reflect on their own coming-of-age journeys, challenging easy nostalgia and reminding us that adulthood is less about polish and more about honest self-appraisal—whether you’re on stage, running for office, or simply trying to make it through the day.
Why Brian Stands Out in Today’s Teen Cinema
Brian distinguishes itself in a crowded field of high school comedies with its relentless sincerity and refusal to sugarcoat adolescent turbulence. It’s not content to traffic in simple lessons or clear-cut resolutions; instead, it finds humor and humanity in the messiness itself. Fans of irreverent comedies—and anyone who’s ever felt othered—will see themselves in this wonderfully awkward, bitingly funny portrait of youth on the brink of adulthood.
