Better Than the Movies, based on the best-selling novel by Lynn Painter, will star Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono By Carolina Costa
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Actors Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono have been confirmed in the lead roles in the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Better Than The Movies”. Lynn Painter’s YA novel, a New York Times bestseller and BookTok phenomenon, will come to life in a Netflix production. Confirmation arrived on July 31, 2026, with the announcement that the streaming platform had selected the cast for the feature film.
“Better Than The Movies”: the story of Liz Buxbaum and Wes Bennett
Published by Simon & Schuster, “Better Than The Movies” is a true homage to classic romantic comedies. The central plot follows Liz Buxbaum, played by Beatrice Kitsos, a young woman whose passion for films of the genre leads her to devise an audacious plan. To win over her former platonic love, Liz teams up with Wes Bennett, her annoying but charming neighbor, played by David Iacono. The book explores themes such as fake relationships, the transition from enemies to lovers, and the “boy next door” archetype, subverting these clichés to offer a new perspective on “happily ever after.”
The BookTok phenomenon and the influence of fans on the lineup
The popularity of “Better Than The Movies” is undeniable, solidified by its presence on several bestseller lists. The book appeared on the New York Times monthly young adult paperback list for 44 consecutive months and on the weekly hardcover list for 20 weeks. Part of this success is attributed to the BookTok community, a section of TikTok dedicated to reviews and discussions about books.
This digital platform has transformed the way books and authors interact with the public, often influencing sales and even the production of adaptations. In the case of this novel, the BookTok community suggested David Iacono for the role of Wes Bennett in several videos, long before the official announcement of the adaptation. Beatrice Kitsos, in turn, expressed interest in an audition on Instagram, after being nominated by fans to play Liz, showing the strength of readers’ voices.
Julia Hart takes on the direction of the new romantic production
The film will be directed by Julia Hart, who returns to Netflix after directing the coming-of-age drama “Don’t Say Good Luck”, starring Sunny Sandler, which premieres on August 14. Hart also wrote the script for “Better Than The Movies” in collaboration with Heather Flanders and Jordan Horowitz.
Horowitz will serve as producer through Original Headquarters, his production company in partnership with Hart, alongside Shauna Phelan and Melanie Krauss. This team already has joint experience, having co-written and produced the film “Don’t Say Good Luck”, which tells the story of a young actress who lands the lead role in the school play while her mother faces the return of cancer.
Beatrice Kitsos: from “Percy Jackson” to the universe of romance
Beatrice Kitsos, now playing Liz Buxbaum, has already demonstrated her versatility in different genres. The actress had notable appearances in productions such as:
- The horror film “It Lives Inside” by Neon.
- The series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”.
- “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”
- “iZombie”.
David Iacono: the works that led him to “Better Than The Movies”
David Iacono, who will play the charming Wes Bennett, is a familiar face among young audiences and has participated in several successful series and films. Among his previous works, the following stand out:
- “The Summer I Turned Pretty”.
- “Jurassic World: Rebirth”.
- “The Flight Attendant”.
- “Grand Army”.
- “City on a Hill”.
- “Fear Street: Prom Queen”.
The actor will also soon be seen in the romantic comedy “Goodbye Girl”, a production from Amazon MGM Studios and Gulfstream Pictures.
Other literary adaptations of Lynn Painter in cinema
Lynn Painter’s success isn’t limited to “Better Than The Movies.” The author’s works have attracted the attention of Hollywood, consolidating her name on the adaptation scene. Recently, it was reported that Sony hired Josh Boone, director of “The Fault in Our Stars”, to direct the film version of another of Painter’s novels, titled “Fake Skating”. This indicates a market tendency to transform the author’s literary phenomena into productions for the big screen.
