Summary
Even though Bea’s dad isn’t seen with an imaginary friend inIF, the movie suggests he’s had one all along. The 2024 filmIFasks what happens to imaginary friends once their inventors grow up. The movie follows twelve-year-old Bea, who can see the imaginary friends and tries to help them find new owners. Reflected inIF’s reviews,the film is a touching look at growing up and forgotten innocence, though overall,John Krasinski’s directorial effort received mixed reviews. Not only did Krasinski write and direct the film, but he was also a featured cast member.
IFis available to stream on Paramount+.
Though the film has become synonymous with its principal star, Ryan Reynolds (who plays Cal),IFhas a stellar cast of voice actorsand other human characters, including Cailey Fleming as Bea and John Krasinski as her unnamed father. While Bea spends most of the film with Cal and the other IFs, much of what drives her is anxiety about Bea’s dad’s hospitalization and upcoming heart surgery. InIF’s ending,the film suggests that Bea’s dad also has an imaginary friend who had been forgotten like the rest of them, at least until Bea reminds him of the concept.
IF Streaming Release Date Confirmed (& It’s Soon)
The streaming release date for IF has been confirmed, with the fantasy comedy movie starring Ryan Reynolds coming to a streaming platform very soon.
At the end of the film, Bea’s dad trips over Keith,an invisible IF played by Brad Pitt.He greets Keith, almost familiarly, as if he knows who he is. While it may be that Bea’s dad knew of the invisible IF because of Bea, the other possibility makes for a more intriguing ending to the film and offers grounds for a potential sequel telling her dad’s IF story.
…though Pitt does not technically appear as Keith in any form (as the character has no lines or presence), it would make sense that Krasinski’s character would be friends with Pitt’s.
Even though Pitt does not technically appear as Keith in any form (as the character has no lines or presence), it would make sense that Krasinski’s character would be friends with Pitt’s, given their past partnerships. Brad Pitt acted as a celebrity weatherman in John Krasinski’s 2020 web series,Some Good News. This creates an established connection between the pair that Keith being Krasinski’s character’s imaginary friend would only solidify.
Another IF Could Belong To Bea’s Dad
Unicorn Shares A Similar Goal To Bea’s Dad
Bea’s dad’s imaginary friend might also be Unicorn, who is voiced by Krasinski’s real-life wife, Emily Blunt.Unicorn is well-meaning and excited to find a child to work with, hoping to grow and foster their imagination. This is similar to Bea’s dad’s goal to ensure Bea can retain some of her childhood innocence despite unexpected trials at a young age. Also, there are clearly no rules against gender-crossing for imaginary friends afterIF’s big movie twist. Additionally, Unicorn’s “friend of” section in the retirement community’s register is not shown inIF, leaving her original owner’s name ambiguous, meaning it could potentially be Bea’s dad.
IF
Cast
IF, originally titled Imaginary Friends, is a comedic fantasy film written and directed by John Krasinski. A young girl who experiences a tragic moment early in her life discovers she can see the imaginary friends of others who leave them behind as they grow older.
