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With The Sun Never Sets, acclaimed indie filmmaker Joe Swanberg returns to his roots of intimate, character-driven storytelling, delivering a tender and sharply observed look at modern romance. Sitting down with writer-director Swanberg alongside stars Jake Johnson and Cory Michael Smith, it immediately becomes clear that the chemistry on screen reflects a deeply collaborative off-screen bond. The trio approached the project alongside star Dakota Fanning, allowing real-world messiness and emotional ambiguity to shape the romantic drama. The latest in Swanberg’s filmography of character-driven indie films in the mumblecore subgenre, The Sun Never Sets is a festival favorite that marks a stellar new performance from the trio of stars along with supporting actors Anna Konkle, Debby Ryan, and Lamorne Morris.
Set against the luminous backdrop of an Alaskan summer, the film follows Wendy (Dakota Fanning), a young woman who finds herself at a life crossroads with her older, divorced boyfriend, Jack (Jake Johnson). Sensing their differing timelines regarding marriage and starting a family, Jack suggests they take a trial separation to determine what they truly want. That already delicate pause spirals into emotional chaos when Wendy’s spontaneous ex-flame, Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), unexpectedly re-enters her life, sparking a tangled, funny, and bittersweet love triangle under the midnight sun.
During our conversation, Johnson and Smith reflected on the nuance required to keep the central conflict grounded rather than melodramatic. Johnson emphasized how important it was to play Jack as an honest partner grappling with age-gap realities and the fear of holding someone back. Smith shared how refreshing it was to avoid typical romantic-rival tropes, leaning instead into Chuck’s own vulnerability and flawed attempts at growth. The Sun Never Sets succeeds as a refreshingly honest portrait of romance, timing, and the courage it takes to figure out what comes next.
The Sun Never Sets is now playing in theaters. Check out our review!
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