IF

As the curtain opens on this whimsical tale, we are treated to a warm and fuzzy montage of a loving family's tender moments, showcasing the joys of childhood through the eyes of young Bea (Cailey Fleming), as she frolics with her doting parents (John Krasinski and Catharine Daddario). However, beneath the surface of this idyllic facade, cancer slowly begins to ravage their lives, forcing Bea's mother to wear a brave face for her daughter's sake. Tragically, despite her valiant efforts, she eventually succumbs to the disease.

Following the loss of her mother, 12-year-old Bea moves in with her grandmother Margaret (Fiona Shaw) while her father prepares for heart surgery. Though he attempts to keep spirits high by conjuring up a cast of imaginary friends, Bea remains stoic, refusing to let her emotions show. During one of these visits, she befriends Benjamin (Alan Kim), a boy whose constant mishaps and knight-dragon playtime provide comic relief.

As night falls, Bea ventures out to procure a charger for her mother's old camcorder, only to stumble upon an enigmatic creature that defies explanation. Assuming it's another child, Bea approaches the being, but its startled reaction reveals that she is not alone in perceiving this mysterious entity. As the creature flees into the building, Bea follows suit, eventually finding herself face-to-face with the strange being behind a door. Cal (Ryan Reynolds), the resident gruff and lovable curmudgeon, insists that there is no one there, but Bea's intuition tells her otherwise.

The following evening, Bea witnesses Cal walking alongside this otherworldly creature before they disappear into another apartment. As she watches with rapt attention, Cal ascends to the bedroom of a young girl, seeking out Blue (Steve Carell), a lovable giant of an imaginary friend who has been waiting for his new best friend to materialize. However, when Cal attempts to coax Blue from the room, he inadvertently awakens the little girl, prompting him to scurry under her bed. As he emerges from this hiding spot, he finds himself face-to-face with Bea, whose panic subsides only to be replaced by the sudden appearance of Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), an inkblot-style bug-like imaginary friend who tries to introduce herself. Before Bea can process this surreal encounter, she faints away.

As Bea slowly regains consciousness in Cal's apartment, she finds herself surrounded by an unconventional trio: Blue and Blossom. The latter's words paint a vivid picture - they're not just ordinary companions, but rather imaginary friends (IFs) on a mission to establish a matchmaking agency, aimed at reuniting their kind with new child patrons. Failing this, the IFs risk fading into oblivion as they become forgotten relics of childhood memories. Bea's initial bewilderment gives way to a sense of purpose as she agrees to join forces with Blue and Blossom.

The following day, Bea's hospital visit takes an unexpected turn when Blue materializes beside her father's bedside. With a keen understanding of the social implications, Bea urges Blue to disappear, aware that her interactions with invisible entities would raise eyebrows among the living. Undeterred, she soon finds herself in a secluded spot on Coney Island, where Cal leads her into a hidden world inhabited by IFs.

As they navigate through a secret passage, Bea is introduced to an eclectic ensemble of IFs, each with their unique persona. There's Flower (Matt Damon), the sunflower-leafed guide offering solace to fellow IFs grappling with the pangs of abandonment; Guardian Dog (Sam Rockwell), a superhero canine with a penchant for dramatic entrances; Slime (Keegan-Michael Key), an effusive blob prone to emotional outbursts; Bubble (Awkwafina), an anxious IF whose insecurities are palpable; Ice (Bradley Cooper), a suave, cup-of-water IF oozing confidence; Robot (Jon Stewart), a dry-witted mechanical companion with a knack for sarcastic remarks; Magician Mouse (Sebastian Maniscalco), a whimsical conjurer of tricks and illusions; and Cosmo (Christopher Meloni), a trenchcoat-clad detective with an air of mystery. The group's dynamics are further amplified by the arrival of Art Teacher (Richard Jenkins), who recognizes Bea by her full name, Elizabeth, and sends Cal on a quest to locate Lewis, a wise, elderly teddy bear IF (Louis Gossett Jr.) possessing the power to revive memories.

As Bea becomes increasingly disoriented in this fantastical realm, she stumbles upon a surreal Tina Turner musical performance, with all the IFs in attendance. It's amidst this chaos that Cal and Bea find themselves lost within one of Art Teacher's paintings, their journey punctuated by an encounter with Lewis, who implores Bea to close her eyes and let memories flood back.

As she complies, the Coney Island landscape comes alive, replete with both humans and IFs coexisting in a vibrant tapestry. This epiphanic moment galvanizes Bea's determination to help the IFs, igniting a chain of events that will forever alter her perception of reality and her place within it.

As Bea embarks on a quest to connect Benjamin with an Ideal Form (IF), she embarks on a surreal journey, meeting a diverse array of entities that claim to be his perfect match. These include Uni the effervescent unicorn (Emily Blunt), Spaceman (George Clooney) - an astronaut with a penchant for intergalactic exploration, Gummy Bear (Amy Schumer) - a wisecracking, flatulent companion, Octokitty (Blake Lively) - a feline friend clad in a onesie, Ghost (Matthew Rhys) - a spectral presence with a knack for disappearing, Ally the alligator (Maya Rudolph) - a reptilian IF with a taste for adventure, and Marshmallow Man (John Krasinski) - a gooey, melty individual with a flair for the dramatic. Despite their unique characteristics, none of these entities are able to manifest themselves visibly to Benjamin.

Meanwhile, Bea's exploration of her mother Margaret's past yields a fascinating discovery: she was once a dancer. As Bea delves deeper into her mother's belongings, she stumbles upon an old photograph that reveals Blossom, Margaret's former Ideal Form, in all her glory. This revelation prompts Bea to attempt to connect with Blossom, but the IF seems hesitant and worried. Undeterred, Bea decides to take matters into her own hands by playing one of Margaret's old records, which has the unintended consequence of awakening Margaret's dormant dancing skills. As she begins to move in harmony with the music, Blossom is inspired to do the same, growing butterfly wings as a direct result of Margaret's recollection.

Cosmo provides crucial assistance by uncovering a file on Jeremy (Bobby Moynihan), Blue's estranged son, now an anxious adult struggling to come to terms with his past. Bea, Cal, and Cosmo follow Jeremy to his workplace, where Blue makes a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful effort to rekindle their relationship. However, when Jeremy is about to face a crucial meeting, Blue's gentle touch sparks a transformation within the young man, imbuing him with the ability to recall his childhood memories of his father.

As Bea returns home, she finds Margaret beset by worry and concern over her father's health scare at the hospital. Bea rushes to the facility, where she is reunited with the entire menagerie of Ideal Forms, all of whom have gathered to support her during this trying time. Upon learning that her father has awoken from his unconscious state, Bea tearfully recounts a story about herself, one that highlights her struggles in the aftermath of her mother's passing. Her father's response is heartwarming, as he acknowledges the power of storytelling and offers words of encouragement. As Bea exits the hospital to share the good news with Margaret, she is met with an unexpected sight: all the Ideal Forms have vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the faintest whispers of their presence.

As Bea (character) returns home, she finds herself standing before an unassuming façade, the door opening with a gentle creak. The revelation hits her like a tidal wave - this was never a dwelling in the classical sense, but rather a mere illusion. Her gaze drifts to a cherished memento from a bygone era: a sketchbook filled with whimsical drawings of her childhood, alongside an endearing caricature of Calvin, a clown-like interdimensional friend she had dubbed "Cal." A dawning comprehension sets in as the truth becomes crystal clear - Cal was never just a stranger, but rather Bea's own IF all along. The room now stands as a poignant reminder of the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.

As Bea's thoughts begin to converge with her memories, the IFs reappear before her eyes like phantoms materializing from thin air. She extends heartfelt gratitude to each of them for their aid in this topsy-turvy journey. With the veil lifted, she embarks on a new path, one that will undoubtedly be marked by the lessons learned and the relationships forged.

In a poignant epilogue, Bea's father exits the hospital, bound for her home, where he hopes to rekindle their bond. As Margaret watches them depart, her countenance is etched with hope, a sentiment she shares with Blossom (character), whose eyes light up with a mixture of delight and trepidation.

In the days that follow, Cal becomes an agent of change, facilitating reunions between the IFs and their long-lost children. The scenarios unfold like a symphony: Cosmo reunites with his grown offspring at a convenience store where he now toils; Uni reconnects with Jeremy's receptionist, while Ally rekindles her bond with Bea's father's nurse. Even Benjamin finds an unexpected companion - a dragon IF - to share in his adventures.

As the credits roll, a surprise awaits: a glimpse into Lewis' (character) life, followed by a heartfelt dedication to the late Louis Gossett Jr.