Please Stand By

Wendy Welcott is a bright but impulsive young woman whose autism shapes how she experiences the world. After slipping away from her caregiver, she heads for Hollywood with one mission to deliver her 500 page Star Trek screenplay to a writing contest and finally have her voice heard. The road that follows blends humor with heartbreak as she leans on the Star Trek universe for guidance, finding small kindnesses in strangers and learning to trust her own instincts. The film stays on her side, showing how a stubborn dream can light a path through confusion and doubt, and how laughter can soften the rough edges of her challenge. It honors her focus and resilience without turning her into a spectacle.

Directed by Ben Lewin and written for the screen by Michael Golamco, Please Stand By arrived in 2018 as a focused character study. Dakota Fanning leads as Wendy, with Toni Collette, Alice Eve, River Alexander and Shawn Roe supporting a warm, compassionate ensemble.

Box office details for Please Stand By are not widely reported, reflecting its limited release and indie status rather than a major commercial push. The film circulated through festivals and selective theaters before reaching streaming platforms, which limited its visibility in traditional charts.

Though not a blockbuster, the movie finds a quiet cultural footprint among fans of Star Trek and autism aware storytelling. It treats Wendy's fandom as a source of resilience and community, showing how a personal obsession can inspire creativity, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

Critics praised Fanning's nuanced performance and the film's gentle humor, noting that it earns its warmth through patient storytelling and character truth. The themes center on independence, creative ambition, and the belief that a personal dream deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.