“You Can Always Go Back:” John Krasinski’s “IF” Takes Viewers on Beautiful, Nostalgic Ride 

By Naomi Fraser

“Memories. They live forever. Right there in your heart. Sometimes you just need to find a way to invite them out.” — Lewis (Louis Gossett Jr.), IF  

These words capture the essence of John Krasinski’s latest film, IF, a heartfelt fantasy fun for the entire family. IF centers on Bea (Cailey Fleming), a twelve-year-old girl who discovers the ability to see forgotten imaginary friends, or “IFs.” Teamed up with her begrudging partner Cal (Ryan Reynolds), Bea embarks on a journey to reunite each IF with the children who once dreamed them up. Funny, endearing, and surprisingly profound, IF delivers a beautiful story that invites yesterday’s magic into today.  

IF’s heart lies in Bea’s journey toward embracing her childhood. The young girl starts the film grappling with grief, anxiety, and the belief that she has grown too much to ever experience the joys of childhood again. But as she embarks on her magical mission of reuniting the IFs with their kids, she steps into a world of child-like wonder and gradually reconnects with her inner kid. 

The message of rediscovering your past self is powerful, and IF does a great job portraying this theme throughout the film. My one critique is that Bea’s growth feels rushed. While the film introduces her grief and anxiety early on, once the magical adventure begins, these feelings seemingly disappear. If the film spent more time on Bea struggling with these difficult emotions, especially when surrounded by her magical friends, her eventual transformation would have had a greater impact.

The vast variety of IFs, voiced by a slew of Hollywood icons, such as Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Louis Gossett Jr., is another standout feature. From a butterfly ballerina to a superhero dog each IF carries unique features and personality traits that provide insight into the kids who imagined them. 

As we learn more about the IFs, we discover they reflect something significant about their owner’s inner child, ranging from a former career aspiration to a favorite color. This connection between the IFs and their creators enhances the film’s thematic exploration of embracing one’s inner child. When the IFs reunite with their grown-up kids, we witness a visual representation of the adults remembering their childhoods. These moments are both imaginative and touching and beautifully capture each character’s nostalgic return to simpler times. 

Despite its charm, IF still has its flaws. For instance, the film suffers from a handful of significant plot holes, the most glaring of which being the lack of explanation for Bea’s ability to see all the IFs. She simply wakes up one day possessing the power. While I don’t mind the choice to shroud Bea’s magical ability in mystery, the writers should have provided an answer to the puzzle by the end of the film. I like to think that Bea’s powers appear as a sign to reconnect with her childhood self, but the film never explicitly confirms or denies this theory. In failing to provide reasoning for Bea’s abilities, the writers miss an opportunity to expand the plot and immerse the audience deeper into the story world. 

Nevertheless, IF remains a heartwarming and entertaining film that offers a fun experience for viewers of all ages. The film captures the essence of childhood wonder and delivers a poignant reminder that the magic of youth never truly fades. As Lewis, the wise teddy bear IF states, “Nothing you love can ever be forgotten. You can always go back.” This sentiment rings true throughout the film, making IF a touching and memorable experience for anyone who has ever dreamed, imagined, or wished to revisit the joy of being a child.