Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Lewis Pullman-Maya Hawke Rom-Com 'Wishful Thinking' After SXSW Prize

Key facts

• Sony Pictures Classics acquired worldwide rights to 'Wishful Thinking' after its SXSW premiere.
• The film won the top narrative feature prize at SXSW.
• Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke star as a couple whose volatile relationship triggers supernatural events.
• Graham Parkes wrote and directed the film, his debut feature.
• The cast includes Amita Rao, Randall Park, Eric Rahill, Jake Shane, Kate Berlant, and Kerri Kenney-Silver.
• Sony Pictures Classics plans a 2027 theatrical release.
• The film was produced by Buckwild Pictures, Highway 10 (which fully financed), and Pinky Promise.

A Supernatural Rom-Com Finds a Home

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to 'Wishful Thinking,' a supernatural romantic comedy that premiered at SXSW and took home the festival's top narrative feature prize. The film, written and directed by Graham Parkes in his feature debut, stars Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke as a couple whose dysfunctional relationship begins to affect the world around them in extraordinary ways. According to a synopsis, Julia (Hawke), an ambitious video game designer, and Charlie (Pullman), a struggling musician, attend a couples therapy seminar run by mysterious twin healers. Afterwards, the ups and downs of their relationship trigger earthquakes, stock market fluctuations, and threaten entire nations, forcing them to decide whether their passionate love can survive the chaos.

A Strong Cast and Creative Team

The supporting cast includes Amita Rao, Randall Park, Eric Rahill, Jake Shane, Kate Berlant, and Kerri Kenney-Silver. Pullman also served as a producer through his Buckwild Pictures banner, alongside Dan Gedman and Matt Smith of Highway 10, who fully financed the film, and Kara Durrett of Pinky Promise. Executive producers are Alyssa Roehrenbeck, Sarah Mather, Jessamine Burgum, Cameron Fuller, and Graham Patrick Martin. Sony Pictures Classics praised the film in a statement, saying, 'Audiences have been craving a film like 'Wishful Thinking' — romantic, unpredictable and genuinely funny — and we can't wait for them to experience Maya and Lewis in these deeply human and refreshingly hilarious leading roles.' The distributor plans a 2027 theatrical release.

Parkes on Joining the Sony Classics Roster

Director Graham Parkes expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating, 'Sony Pictures Classics has been a singular champion of independent cinema for nearly 35 years, releasing some of my favorite movies of all time. So to be included among the films first brought to an audience by them is truly the ultimate recognition for the passionate work our cast and crew put into making 'Wishful Thinking.'' The deal was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. The acquisition marks another collaboration for Sony Classics with Pinky Promise, which co-produced the studio's recent release 'Eleanor The Great,' Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut.

Critical Reception and Chemistry

Following its SXSW premiere, the film received a positive review from a critic who noted the strong chemistry between Pullman and Hawke. The review highlighted that even at their worst, Charlie and Julia never come across as hateful; their jabs come from a place of wounded love, not cruelty. They are never so furious that they can't make each other laugh, for instance by attempting a sexy dance to 1980s synth-pop classics. This chemistry is central to the film's appeal, as the narrative hinges on the audience rooting for a couple whose emotional volatility has literal, world-altering consequences. The film blends romantic comedy with supernatural elements, a combination that Sony Pictures Classics believes will resonate with a new generation of moviegoers.

What Comes Next

With the acquisition finalized, 'Wishful Thinking' is slated for a 2027 theatrical release. The film joins a growing slate of independent projects picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, which has a history of championing distinctive voices in cinema. For Parkes, the deal represents a significant milestone, bringing his debut feature to a global audience. As the film moves toward release, audiences can expect a romantic comedy that pushes boundaries, both in its premise and in its emotional depth. The combination of a fresh directorial talent, a charismatic cast, and a distributor known for nurturing independent films positions 'Wishful Thinking' as a title to watch in the coming years.

The bottom line

• Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to 'Wishful Thinking,' a supernatural rom-com starring Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke.
• The film won the top narrative feature prize at SXSW, its world premiere festival.
• Graham Parkes wrote and directed the film, his feature debut, and Pullman produced through Buckwild Pictures.
• The plot involves a couple whose relationship triggers earthquakes, stock market swings, and other global chaos.
• Sony Pictures Classics plans a 2027 theatrical release for the film.
• The deal was negotiated with UTA Independent Film Group representing the filmmakers.