It's not usual on a Friday night that I get to watch a YA romance film directed by Toronto's Justin Wu, starring TikTok heartthrob Noah Beck, James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek forever), and the legendary Deborah Cox, but I recently did just that.

Wu's feature debut, Sidelined: The QB and Me, dropped last week through online streaming service Tubi, and it's a heartfelt ode to every high school movie cliche.

Adapted from one of Wattpad's most-read stories, Sidelined follows a high school quarterback (obviously played by Noah Beck) grappling with love, loss, and redemption on and off the field.

Along comes the love interest, admirably played by Siena Agudong, a dancer dealing with similar circumstances, so naturally, romance ensues. 

In order to bring this internet classic to life with some flair, Wu's direction blends comedy, drama, and romance with a surprising amount of emotional depth, leaving this film with a bit more substance than your average Tubi teen flick.

For Wu, the journey to Sidelined was a natural progression from his early days submitting dramatic shorts.

After spending years making a name for himself in TV with credits like Kim's Convenience (he's the youngest director in the show's history) and the hit FOX series 9-1-1, he lept straight into the world of feature films—no indie detour required.

"It's surreal," Wu told me. "Going from short films to TV was a big step, but jumping into the studio system? That's a whole other level."

Wu accredits his recent success to the Ryan Murphy Half Initiative, a training program designed to "create equal opportunities for women, BIPOC, LGBTQ people and minorities behind the camera."

"Without that program, I wouldn't be here," Wu admits. "It gave me the tools to handle the scale and complexity of big productions."

But why Sidelined? Wu says it was personal.

"I lost my dad a few years ago, and those themes of grief and finding light really spoke to me," he shares. The film's emotional core is evident throughout, balancing the high-energy choreography of football games and dance sequences with quieter, tender moments.

Wu, a longtime admirer of ballet and contemporary dance, couldn't resist using movement as a storytelling device.

"Dance is pure expression," he says. "It's 'show, don't tell' at its finest."

And then there's the cast. Noah Beck may be best known for his TikTok stardom, but Wu praises him for stepping up as both an actor and executive producer. "Noah brought so much heart to the role. He was deeply invested in making this story shine," Wu says.

And speaking of shining, let's talk about Deborah Cox, who delivers a truly emotional performance. As someone who has absolutely belted "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" at the top of my lungs, I might be biased, but Cox steals every scene she's in.

As for James Van Der Beek, look, if you didn’t grow up with a mother who appreciated Dawson Leery's melodrama, you've missed out, and Van Der Beek's role in Sidelined is a perfect nod to fans like me who love to see him on the screen. 

The film itself is a testament to fast-paced production. Wu signed on in early 2023, and despite the Hollywood strikes delaying much of the industry, the movie went from green light to release in under a year. "It was intense, but everyone was so committed," the director says.

Since its Tubi premiere, Sidelined has been making waves—not just as an accessible YA romance thanks to its free streaming service, but as a heartfelt debut for a director who clearly has a deep love for the craft.

For Wu, the film is more than just a career milestone. It's proof that a gradual climb up the ladder can really pay off when you give it the time.

So, if you're looking for a movie that’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even visit your local community centre to bust a move, Sidelined is streaming now on Tubi.

And as far as Justin Wu is concerned? This is just the beginning.