SXSW 2026: THE SUN NEVER SETS & SEEKERS OF INFINITE LOVE
The Sun Never Sets (Joe Swanberg)
The Sun Never Sets is a romantic dramedy that examines relationships and the ultimate question of what we truly want—and whether that desire can be fulfilled by another person.
Wendy (Dakota Fanning) and Jack (Jake Johnson) appear to be in a stable place until Jack drops an emotional bomb at the center of their relationship. He suggests they take six months apart so Wendy can figure out if this is truly what she wants. Jack has already been married and has children, while Wendy still hopes for that future. She pleads that this relationship is what she wants, but he insists on the separation. It’s an infuriating moment (you can see the mistake being made) yet Jack earnestly believes it’s the right decision.
The news sends Wendy into an emotional tailspin. When she runs into Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), the ex that got away, it feels like fate intervening. Chuck has matured and grown past the commitment issues that once scared him. When Jack reenters the picture, Wendy is forced to confront two very different partners, each offering something she wants, but neither providing a clear answer.
The story can feel repetitive in its emotional back-and-forth, and the indecision of the characters is occasionally frustrating. Still, the film captures an essential truth: we don’t always know what we want, and sometimes growth requires breaking things apart before learning how, or whether, to put them back together.
I’ve long been a fan of Joe Swanberg, so I was excited to see his return to the festival. His ability to draw genuine chemistry from his actors and find meaning in small, quiet moments remains a strength. The casting is excellent across the board, but this is undeniably Dakota Fanning’s film. She anchors the story with a performance that showcases her charisma and star power. Swanberg’s characters are rich with complexity, and his embrace of improvisation allows his performers to feel remarkably natural.
The Alaskan scenery adds a striking contrast to the film’s intimate focus. Eon Mora’s 35mm cinematography of Anchorage is warm and stunning, pairing expansive landscapes with deeply personal storytelling.
The Sun Never Sets marks a confident return for Swanberg, bolstered by a stellar performance from Fanning and a thoughtful, often painful exploration of love, growth, and the realization that fulfillment doesn’t always come from another person.
Seekers of Infinite Love (Victoria Strouse)
Family can be messy, especially when multiple siblings with wildly different personalities are forced together under extreme circumstances. In Seekers of Infinite Love, Kayla (Hannah Einbinder), Zach (John Reynolds), and Wes (Griffin Gluck) set out on a road trip to convince their sister Scarlett (Justine Lupe) to leave a cult. What better way to bring a fractured family together? Along for the ride is Rick (Justin Theroux), a deprogrammer tasked with helping Scarlett transition out. Kayla’s fear of flying means they have no choice but to drive, a setup that quickly leads to clashes, hijinks, and carefully laid plans going awry.
The road‑trip structure works particularly well here, allowing the film to explore sibling dynamics in confined spaces where old wounds and resentments can’t be ignored. Each character brings their own emotional baggage, and their differing approaches to Scarlett’s involvement only heighten the tension. The film finds a strong balance between absurd comedy and genuine emotional stakes, delivering several gut‑busting moments without losing sight of the underlying drive.
Victoria Strouse’s directorial debut assembles a terrific cast and is bolstered by a script that skillfully stitches together a patchwork of love, frustration, and laughter. Strouse has already demonstrated a strong command of character and dialogue in her previous screenplays, and Seekers of Infinite Love confirms that her instincts translate just as well behind the camera.
The performances feel authentic and lived‑in, capturing the messy reality of sibling relationships. Despite their bickering, the film consistently reinforces the strength of familial bonds. Theroux is absolutely hilarious and, as always, a joy to watch, bringing an unpredictable energy that keeps the film from becoming too sentimental. However, it’s Einbinder who truly steals the show. Her awkward earnestness grounds the film emotionally, and their scenes together are infectious and often hilarious. By the film’s conclusion, the siblings arrive at a genuinely renewed bond, one that lands with quiet poignancy.
While there are moments where the film struggles with consistency and some of the more outrageous turns feel less connected, its warmth and strong ensemble ultimately carry it through. Seekers of Infinite Love is a road‑trip movie filled with unexpected comedic detours and an emotional ending that drives home the enduring power of family.
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