Honestly, most movies about people on the autism spectrum feel like they were written by someone who once read a Wikipedia page about Rain Man and called it a day. They’re often sappy. Or worse, they treat neurodivergence like a superpower that magically solves crimes. But then there’s Please Stand By.
Released in 2017 and directed by Ben Lewin, this flick stars Dakota Fanning as Wendy, a young woman with autism who runs away from her group home to deliver a 500-page Star Trek script to a writing competition at Paramount Pictures. It’s a road trip movie. It’s a coming-of-age story. But mostly, it’s a love letter to the weird, obsessive, and beautiful way fans connect with the stories they love.
If you’ve ever stayed up until 3:00 AM arguing about Vulcan physiology or felt like the world was just too loud to handle, this movie hits different. It didn't set the box office on fire. It didn't win ten Oscars. But it got the details right.
What Please Stand By Gets Right About the "Trek" Obsession
Wendy isn't just a fan. She’s a scholar.
The script she’s writing for the Paramount contest isn’t some generic space opera; it’s a deeply researched spec script titled The Ultimate Voyage. In her story, Spock and Captain Kirk are facing an existential crisis. It’s meta. It’s dorky. It’s perfect.
The film captures that specific brand of fan devotion where a fictional universe provides the logic that the real world lacks. For Wendy, the Federation has rules. Protocol exists. There is a "right" way to do things. The real world, conversely, is a chaotic mess of bright lights, confusing social cues, and people who don’t say what they mean.
Dakota Fanning’s performance is understated. She avoids the "Hollywood autism" tropes of rocking back and forth or staring into space with a glazed look. Instead, she shows Wendy’s internal rigidity through her posture and her intense focus on her goal. When she decides to leave Oakland and head to Los Angeles, she isn't doing it to be a rebel. She’s doing it because the deadline is at 5:00 PM on Tuesday. Logic dictates she must be there.
🔗 Read more: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
The script within the script
The movie actually features segments of Wendy’s Star Trek screenplay. You see her imagining Spock, played in her mind with the stoicism of the original series, grappling with his human emotions. It’s a clever parallel. Wendy is struggling to navigate a "human" world that feels alien to her, much like Spock’s eternal struggle between Vulcan logic and human feeling.
Most people think fandom is just a hobby. For Wendy, and for many people in the neurodivergent community, it’s a survival mechanism. It’s a framework for understanding human interaction.
The Reality of Independent Living and Group Homes
Michael Stahl-David plays Scott, the guy who runs the group home where Wendy lives. Alice Eve plays her sister, Audrey. This is where the movie gets real.
The tension isn’t about "bad guys" versus "good guys." It’s about the crushing weight of overprotection. Audrey loves Wendy, but she’s terrified of her. She doesn’t think Wendy can handle the "real" world, especially after Wendy’s past episodes of meltdowns. This is a common theme in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities—the "dignity of risk."
Does Wendy have the right to fail?
By running away, Wendy is asserting her autonomy. She boards a bus (and gets kicked off because of her dog, Pete, who is a very good boy), she deals with scammers, and she navigates the confusing streets of LA.
💡 You might also like: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
Small details that matter
- The iPod: Wendy uses her iPod (very 2017) as a shield against the world.
- The Red Sweater: Her clothing choices are repetitive and specific.
- The Cinnabon: Her job at Cinnabon is a masterclass in masking—trying to follow a script to appear "normal" to customers.
Toni Collette shows up as Scott’s mother, a therapist who eventually helps track Wendy down. Collette is, as always, incredible. She brings a grounded, weary empathy to the role. She understands that Wendy isn't "broken"; she’s just operating on a different operating system.
Why the Ending of Please Stand By Subverts Your Expectations
Most Hollywood movies would end with Wendy winning the contest. She’d get a huge check, a movie deal, and suddenly her autism would be "cured" by success.
Please Stand By is smarter than that.
The ending is bittersweet. Wendy makes it to Paramount. She literally jumps the fence. She gets the script into the hands of the people who need to see it. But does she win? Does she become the next D.C. Fontana?
The movie doesn't care about the trophy. It cares about the fact that she did it. She crossed the "neutral zone." She proved to her sister, and more importantly to herself, that she could navigate a world that wasn't built for her.
It’s a quiet victory. In the final scenes, we see that life hasn't fundamentally changed—she’s still in the group home—but her relationship with her sister has shifted. There is a new level of respect. Audrey finally sees Wendy as an adult with agency, not just a liability to be managed.
📖 Related: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
Production Secrets and Trivia
The film was written by Michael Rimler, based on his own short play. It’s clear that whoever wrote this actually watched Star Trek. They aren't just using the names "Kirk" and "Spock" for brand recognition. They understand the themes of the show.
Interestingly, the movie had a very limited theatrical release. It’s one of those "hidden gems" that found its life on streaming platforms like Hulu and Netflix.
- Dakota Fanning’s Prep: She reportedly worked with consultants to ensure her portrayal of Wendy was respectful and accurate to the experiences of women on the spectrum.
- The Dog: Pete the Chihuahua is played by a dog named Skye. The bond between Wendy and Pete is one of the most heart-wrenching parts of the film.
- Location: The film captures the gritty, unglamorous side of the trek from Northern California to Southern California. No postcard shots here. Just bus stations and dusty roads.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going to sit down and watch Please Stand By, pay attention to the sound design. The movie uses sound to illustrate how overwhelming the world is for Wendy. The screech of brakes, the overlap of voices, the humming of lights—it all builds a sensory profile that helps the audience empathize with her perspective.
It’s a short movie, barely 90 minutes. It doesn't overstay its welcome.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
- Check your bias: Notice how the strangers Wendy meets react to her. Some are kind; many are exploitative. It’s a sobering look at how vulnerable neurodivergent individuals can be in public spaces.
- Research the "Dignity of Risk": If you’re interested in the themes of the movie, look up this concept in disability advocacy. It’s the idea that self-determination includes the right to make mistakes.
- Watch with a Trekker: If you aren't a Star Trek fan, you’ll still like the movie. But if you watch it with someone who knows the lore, they can explain why Wendy’s script is actually pretty clever.
- Support Neurodivergent Creators: While Fanning is neurotypical, the film has sparked conversations about the need for more autistic actors in lead roles. Look for projects like Everything's Gonna Be Okay or As We See It for more representation.
Please Stand By reminds us that everyone is carrying a 500-page script inside them. Everyone is trying to get someone to listen. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is just keep walking until you reach the gate.
Don't expect a blockbuster. Expect a small, human story that respects its subject matter enough not to sugarcoat it. It's a movie about the power of stories to bridge the gap between us, even when that gap feels like light-years of empty space.