The new science fiction movie Wishful Thinking, featuring Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke, reimagines a concept that gained popularity two decades ago through Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of a particular book and film.
Directed by newcomer Graham Parkes, Wishful Thinking blends science fiction, romance, and comedy. The film stars Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick, Thunderbolts*) and Maya Hawke (Stranger Things) as a pair who participate in an energy work therapy seminar. They soon realize their emotions magically influence their environment.
In a discussion with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan during our SXSW media suite, director and screenwriter Graham Parkes revealed that the concept for Wishful Thinking was inspired by The Secret, the well-known self-help book and film that Oprah Winfrey popularized. Parkes was intrigued and amused by the notion that while positive thinking could lead to success, negative emotions could potentially cause catastrophic events.
Parkes, who often experiences anxiety, found this idea both horrifying and humorous. During a period of personal relationship challenges, he imagined how such supernatural abilities could impact a romantic relationship. This thought process transformed a simple gag into an extensive narrative exploring love, conflict, and the repercussions of emotions, as he explains in his own words:
It all began one night when I fell into a YouTube spiral. I stumbled upon The Secret, the renowned self-help classic. It was my first time watching it. Although I’m skeptical about its claims, the idea of manifesting struck me because it’s usually considered very positive—like, if you’re happy, you might get a promotion or find a parking spot. But for someone like me, who struggles to control their mood, the idea that my bad mood could cause a disaster, like a plane crash, is terrifying. It might not seem humorous when put bluntly, but the concept made me laugh because self-help typically presents it as something wholly positive, yet it sounded like a nightmare to me. At the time, I was dealing with relationship issues similar to those in the movie, and when I started thinking about the concept in terms of a romantic relationship, it evolved from merely a humorous idea to something much bigger, allowing me to see a full story arc about love, which went beyond just my worries.
Written and directed by Graham Parkes in his first major project, Wishful Thinking centers on a tumultuous couple unaware of how to repair their failing relationship. They attend a retreat led by twin healers known as the Tillies, who use energy work to fix broken bonds.
The seminar triggers a series of global incidents, linking the state of their relationship with worldwide natural disasters, financial turmoil, and overall instability. The couple faces the ultimate test of their love’s resilience amidst these challenges.
The film’s cast includes Emmy-nominated Lewis Pullman (Lessons in Chemistry) and Maya Hawke, along with Randall Park, Jake Shane, Amita Rao, Eric Rahill, Kate Berlant as the Tillies, Kerri Kenney-Silver, and Mat Wright.
On a side note, Lewis Pullman, accompanied by his father Bill Pullman, had the honor of presenting the Best Film Editing award at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15.
Wishful Thinking debuted at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 12, earning praise for its original, humorous take on relationships and standout performances by its lead actors. Critics like Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com applauded Pullman and Hawke’s “consistently spectacular” acting.
Glenn Garner from Deadline commented on their ability to deliver “emotional whiplash“, excelling in both romantic and contentious scenes, while other reviewers commended the film for its wit, emotional depth, and creative premise.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
