John Krasinski's new movie 'IF' inspired by pandemic struggles and daughters' imaginary friends

John Krasinski reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic and his daughters' fading imaginary worlds sparked the idea.

John Krasinski opens up to PEOPLE about the emotional toll the pandemic took on his family and how it inspired his new film, "IF." The Office alum shared that the movie, centred around imaginary friends, was born from witnessing his daughters' dwindling imaginative play during lockdown.

Krasinski, who shares two daughters, Hazel and Violet, with wife Emily Blunt, explained that he noticed their "lights starting to go out" as they engaged in fewer imaginary games and faced the harsh realities of the pandemic. This led them to ask the heart-wrenching question, "Are we going to be okay?"

This question "shattered" Krasinski's heart, prompting him to create a film that would remind his daughters of the magical world they could always return to. The movie, "IF," features characters inspired by his daughters' own imaginary friends, such as a pink alligator named Ally who lives under Violet's bed to protect her from bad guys.

Krasinski also shared how his daughter Hazel's empathy for a burning marshmallow led to the creation of another imaginary friend. He explained to her that the marshmallow's purpose was to light on fire and then go out, sparking her imagination and bringing comfort.

The film has already received positive reviews from Krasinski's daughters, who gave it "two thumbs up." Despite the added pressure of creating a movie specifically for his children, Krasinski is proud to have captured their magical world on screen.

"IF" not only serves as a heartwarming reminder of the power of imagination but also reflects the challenges faced by families during the pandemic. Krasinski's personal connection to the story shines through, making it a relatable and touching film for audiences of all ages.