Julia Stiles makes her feature directorial debut with the adaptation of her novel “Wish You Were Here.” [10 Things I Hate About You and Save The Last Dance] Actress Julia Stiles and a stellar cast preview what promises to be an emotional viking full of beautifully human moments and catharsis.

Shots include Stiles' “Orphan: First Kill” co-star Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud of “Aladdin,” iconic Jennifer Grey of “Dirty Dancing” and 2024's “A Real Pain,” Kelsey Grammer of “Frasier” (who also co-stars with Stiles in the 2021 film “God Committie”), and others, showcasing a fantastic and familiar cast.

According to the official synopsis, the film is “a charming film that eschews routine for true romance.”

“When a perfect night with a perfect stranger comes to an abrupt end the next morning,” the synopsis continues, “Charlotte (Fuhrman) searches for answers and meaning in her life of disappointment until she discovers a secret that changes everything.

The film, which wrapped shooting in February 2023, is a passion project for Stiles, who tells PEOPLE that she has wanted to direct for some time.

“I've always wanted to direct my own movie, and I finally found it with this one,” she said, adding that reading the original story “broke my heart, but I shed some good tears, like laughing through my tears, reminding me how wonderful life can be.” He added that he wanted to make this his first project.

Given that Stiles is no stranger to romance or to being on set for the 63 or so projects she has appeared in over the course of her amazing career, it is exciting to see her make the leap to the director's chair.

“Wish You Were Here” will be released on January 17, 2025; the PG-13 film also stars Jimmy Fales and Gaby Cono-Abbey and was written by Stiles and Carlino!