IF: On the red carpet with John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw and Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the London premiere

Did you ever have an imaginary friend? No? Are you sure? Or maybe it’s just that you don’t remember…

And so the scene is set for the new family film from actor turned actor/writer/director John Krasinski. It’s quite the pivot from The Quiet Place, but this time around, he was compelled to make something his whole family could watch together, and so he looked to his own kids for ideas. Seeing how they would get lost in magical worlds seemingly out of reach from the adults around them, but also seeing how the pandemic dampened that imaginative spirit and replaced it with real-world worries and anxieties, his latest feature celebrates all that is marvellous about the power of the imagination – but also that you can in fact always return to it, no matter your age.

With a seamless integration of CGI animation with live-action that recalls the impeccable Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, an all-star cast that features Ryan Reynolds, Krasinki and Fiona Shaw, plus the voices of Steve Carell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the movie takes its audience on a whimsical adventure via its young protagonist (Cailey Fleming) whose grief at losing her mother, and worry about also losing her father, has forced her to grow up too quickly. Discovering she has a special gift to see all the abandoned imaginary friends (or “IFs”, get it?) opens the door to reigniting her childlike wonder and that of the adults she knows (think The Sixth Sense but more family-friendly…). It’s both brimming with nostalgia for parents and frolicking fun with its oddball cast of quirky characters for the kids, with a beautiful look and feel to its New York setting and retro aesthetic. Reynolds gives a standout turn, bringing his trademark humour to the tale but with a surprising amount of earnest sweetness too. You’ll leave the cinema with a tear in your eye, a smile in your heart and wondering if you’re cool enough for Phoebe Waller-Bridge to be your IF too…

The Upcoming hit the purple carpet in London’s Leicester Square where we got to rub shoulders with the stars and giant fluffy IFs. Krasinski praised Fleming’s performance, highlighting her ability to connect with both children and adults. He admired her natural silliness and her pivotal role in making the film resonate emotionally.

Fleming told us about the experience of taking on the lead role in the movie, expressing admiration for her co-stars, especially Reynolds. She reflected on the film’s emotional depth and shared her thoughts on finding joy in everyday tasks.

Shaw also shared her experience working on the film, praising Krasiniki’s directorial skills and Waller-Bridge’s voice performance. She also highlighted the familial bond among the cast.

Waller-Bridge discussed her favourite characters, the marshmallow and Cosmo, and praised the film’s blend of humour, suspense and artistry, highlighting the joy of experiencing it as a community.

Sarah Bradbury

IF is released nationwide on 17^th May 2024.

Watch the trailer for IF here: