Netflix has cast actors Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono to play lead roles in its upcoming feature film adaptation of Better Than the Movies. Kitsos will portray high school student Liz Buxbaum, while Iacono will star as her neighbor Wes Bennett.
Kitsos previously appeared in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and she posted on social media expressing interest in the project after fans highlighted her as the ideal candidate for the role of Liz. Iacono has appeared in Jurassic World Rebirth and the series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Both actors joined the project following months of speculation and casting suggestions from readers.
Plot and BookTok Success
The film is based on the 2021 novel by Lynn Painter, which became an immediate success among young adult readers and spent months on The New York Times bestseller list. The book gained widespread popularity on BookTok, driving interest in a movie version long before Netflix officially announced the project.
The story follows Liz Buxbaum, a high school student obsessed with romantic comedies who believes she understands all the rules of the genre. To capture the attention of a long-term crush, Liz forms an alliance with her charming yet exasperating neighbor Wes. Their fake partnership grows complicated as unexpected feelings surface, challenging Liz's expectations of how a romance should unfold. The story pays tribute to classic romantic comedy tropes, including fake relationships, enemies to lovers, and neighborly romance.
Streaming Strategy and Production Status
The project represents Netflix's continued focus on adapting young adult literature following the success of titles such as To All the Boys I've Loved Before and My Wish List. Production on the adaptation is progressing steadily, though Netflix has not yet set an official release date.
