Reese Witherspoon’s Son Deacon Phillippe Lands Major Role In Netflix Rom-Com 'Better Than The Movies'

Deacon Phillippe is officially locking down his next major Hollywood gig. The 22-year-old star—who happens to be the son of Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and actor Ryan Phillippe—is joining the ensemble cast of Netflix's upcoming feature film adaptation of the beloved young adult novel *Better Than the Movies*. The streaming giant formally announced the project's lineup, confirming that the young actor will take on the key role of Michael Young. Shortly after the news broke across social media, Phillippe took to his personal Instagram Stories to share his excitement. Re-posting the official casting update to his followers, the newcomer noted that he was "beyond grateful" to be part of the project, while warmly referring to his fellow cast members as his "gang" in a subsequent post. ## What is the plot of Netflix's Better Than the Movies? Adapted from author Lynn Painter’s bestselling romance book of the same name, the project drops viewers into the life of self-proclaimed hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum, played by Beatrice Kitsos. Liz has spent years daydreaming about a picture-perfect romance, and she sets her sights on securing her childhood crush, Michael (Phillippe), as her ultimate prom date. To get Michael's attention, Liz reluctantly teams up with her next-door neighbor and long-term nemesis, Wes Bennet, portrayed by David Iacono. However, as the duo work together to orchestrate Liz's dream love story, the fake-dating and schemed encounters lead to unexpected feelings that threaten to flip her entire plan upside down. ## Who is starring alongside Deacon Phillippe in the new film? In addition to Phillippe, Kitsos, and Iacono, the film's cast is bolstered by seasoned Hollywood talent. Film and television favorites Judy Greer and Luke Kirby have joined the project alongside newcomer Nicole Bruner. Though Netflix has yet to announce an official release date or full production timeline, fan anticipation for the adaptation is already building rapidly online. Book author Lynn Painter has already publicly endorsed the cast selection, reassuring her readers that the adaptation is in great hands. Taking to Instagram to hype the project, Painter teased that the screen chemistry between Kitsos and Iacono is completely off the charts, declaring that the actors embody their literary counterparts perfectly. For Phillippe, who has previously dipped his toes into both music and acting, the Netflix romance marks another significant milestone in his emerging career. As the son of two 1990s and 2000s Hollywood icons, the young talent is continuing to carve out his own identity on screen while stepping into the spotlight of a major streaming franchise.