Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell star in Anyone But You (Con todos menos contigo), a 103-minute romantic comedy directed by Will Gluck that has surged to the top of the Netflix charts following its arrival on the streaming platform, offering audiences a modern spin on Shakespearean classic Much Ado About Nothing.
What You Need to Know About the Streaming Hit
- The film originally premiered in U.S. theatres in December 2023 before rolling out internationally, including theatrical runs in Argentina in early 2024.
- The plot adapts the classic “enemies to lovers” trope, throwing law student Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and finance worker Ben (Glen Powell) together at a destination wedding in Sydney, Australia.
- Director Will Gluck previously helmed Emma Stone’s modern teen comedy Easy A, continuing his track record of updating classic literature for contemporary audiences.
How Two Strangers Turn a Fake Romance into Real Friction
Bea and Ben’s story starts with an accidental encounter that quickly blossoms into a seemingly perfect first date. A sudden misunderstanding shatters the connection before it can take root, leaving both parties with a sharp dislike for one another. Months later, fate steps in when Bea’s sister invites them both to a wedding celebration in Sydney.
sydney sweeney on the set of ‘anyone but you’ pic.twitter.com/N3HHZn5EvR
Trapped in close quarters with friends and family, the pair hatch a mutual plan to survive the social pressure and make their exes jealous. They agree to pretend they are deeply in love. As they try to convince the wedding party that their romance is real, the boundaries between performance and reality begin to blur, forcing both characters to confront the underlying attraction they tried so hard to dismiss.
The Shakespearean Blueprint Behind the Sydney Setting
The film draws its narrative structure directly from William Shakespeare’s early 17th-century comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Screenwriter Ilana Wolpert and director Will Gluck translated the barbed banter of Beatrice and Benedick into a modern corporate and campus reality. The original play’s signature elements—relentless verbal sparring, mistaken impressions, and family interference—are recast against sun-drenched Australian backdrops.
Instead of Elizabethan court politics, the adaptation leans on contemporary lifestyle pressures, destination celebrations, and the modern anxiety of running into former partners. The supporting ensemble features Alexandra Shipp as Claudia, Hadley Robinson as Halle, GaTa as Pete, Dermot Mulroney as Leo, and Rachel Griffiths as Innie, rounding out the wedding party that forces the two leads together.
| Production Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Director | Will Gluck |
| Runtime | 103 minutes |
| U.S. Theatrical Release | December 2023 |
| Primary Setting | Sydney, Australia |
Cast Dynamics and Nostalgia for Nineties Rom-Coms
The production intentionally taps into the cinematic language of 1990s romantic comedies. By utilizing tropes like missed connections, forced proximity, and public grand gestures, the film positions itself alongside studio comedies of an earlier era. Sydney Sweeney handles the analytical, high-strung law student persona, while Glen Powell plays the outwardly confident finance professional whose armor steadily cracks.
The supporting cast also includes Darren Barnet as Jonathan, Bryan Brown as Roger, Michelle Hurd as Carol, and Charlee Fraser as Margaret. Their presence helps flesh out the intricate social dynamics of the destination wedding, providing the obstacles and gossip channels that keep Bea and Ben locked into their elaborate charade.
