Parents always want what is best for their children. Even when the cost is high, they want to see their children succeed and be happy, even when they won’t live long enough to witness it.
Don’t say Good Luck is a Netflix movie released in August 2026, directed by Julia Hart, and starring Sunny Sandler, Melanie Lynskey and other supporting actors like Steve Buscemi, Stephanie Beatriz, and more. It falls under the drama, comedy, and music genres.
The movie is about a young high school girl, “Sophie Birenbaum”, played by Sunny Sandler, who landed the lead role in a musical in her high school’s production “Waitress” and will later find out that her mother, Elizabeth, played by Melanie Lynskey, has been diagnosed with her cancer recurring.
The movie shows the bond between a mother and her daughter, showing the sacrifice parents make for their children even when their strength is empty, the struggles of a family when faced with a sick family member, what true friendship really means, love and the transition into adulthood.
It depicts teenagers trying to figure out life, understanding friendship and responsibilities, what it means to be a loving and supportive parent, and how a family could deal with terminal illness like cancer, and how easy it can look with the support of a spouse and the entire family and community.
The movie had a great performance from Sunny Sandler, performing as an insecure teenager who felt she was not good enough after she was cast for the lead role in her high school musical drama, bringing her forward into the spotlight. She worked harder by pushing herself, scheduling extra rehearsals for herself in order to play the role perfectly, reflecting the determination and the struggles of young people trying to prove themselves in real life.
The movie also shows how parents often put the needs and happiness of their children above their own; it also depicts the value of true friendship. When everything was overwhelming for Sophie, she discovered she had a strong support system ranging from her family to her friends and her drama instructor. It also depicts the role and importance of grandparents in the family.
Don’t Say Good Luck is an emotional drama that talks about the balance between teenage dreams and the reality of adulthood. While it had a beautiful and touching story, it was supported by fantastic and lovely acting. It is a good watch for people who love musical drama as well as family drama. It is a movie that can be watched together with family
Rating: 85/100