In The Sun Never Sets, Dakota Fanning delivers a performance that truly shines, commanding attention whenever she is on screen. Playing Wendy, a woman standing at the precipice of life’s second act, Fanning anchors a film that is far more emotionally taxing than its premise might initially suggest. What begins as a story about a relationship break quickly evolves into a profound meditation on the types of love we choose and the versions of ourselves we are forced to leave behind.
The central conflict between Wendy and Jack (Jake Johnson) is handled with a refreshing level of sophistication. Often, cinematic age gap relationships rely on power imbalances or predatory tropes. Here, the obstacle is much more grounded: life stages.
Jack is a man who has already done the heavy lifting of adulthood. He’s been married, he’s weathered a divorce, and he is raising two children. He loves Wendy with all of his heart, but that love is seasoned with the wisdom of someone who knows that passion isn’t enough to sustain a life built on incompatible goals.
The chemistry between Fanning and Johnson is fantastic, making their forced distance even more painful to watch. You find yourself rooting for them immediately, yet hating the logic of their situation. Jack’s decision to suggest a break is a rational one. It is not fueled by passion or jealousy. He simply wants to ensure that Wendy doesn’t wake up a decade from now harboring a quiet resentment because she traded her fairytale—marriage and biological children—for his already-established domesticity.
While the central romance is the driving force of The Sun Never Sets, I cannot talk about this film without mentioning the pure joy I felt seeing Jake Johnson and Lamorne Morris on screen together again. As a massive fan of New Girl, my heart was bursting with happiness the moment they appeared.
Even though their characters only ever interact via Zoom, that familiar spark was undeniable. It felt like the mini-reunion I didn’t know I needed; seeing “Nick” and “Winston” sharing space again provided a warm, nostalgic layer to the film that made the heavier emotional beats much easier to swallow. It was a lovely nod to their real-life friendship that felt like a gift to the fans.
The introduction of Chuck (Cory Michael Smith) complicates the narrative adding more depth and conflict to the story. When Wendy reconnects with her ex during this break, the film shifts from a quiet drama into a volatile, often humorous exploration of jealousy. While the maturity of Jack and Wendy’s initial agreement is admirable, there is an undeniable entertainment value in watching that composure crumble.
Chuck represents the what if: the path where Wendy wouldn’t have to compromise on her dreams of a fresh start. At the same time, they did break up in the past. What is that saying? Exes are an ex for a reason? That is certainly a piece of advice that Jack gives Wendy, even if his reasoning is not exactly pure.
Cory Michael Smith plays this role with the perfect balance of charm and disruption, acting as the mirror Wendy needs to see her own desires clearly. The bickering and the inevitable friction between the three leads provide the film’s most human moments, going back and forth between laugh-out-loud awkwardness and tear-jerking realization.
One of the elements of the film that I most appreciated, even though it is not a big part of the plot, is the portrayal of Jack’s ex-wife, played by Anna Konkle. Movies have a long, tired history of portraying ex-wives as obstacles or villains. The Sun Never Sets tosses that aside. Konkle and Johnson portray a co-parenting relationship that is genuinely supportive and functional. They talk, they listen, and they want the best for one another.
Seeing an onscreen ex who isn’t trying to sabotage the new relationship, but rather offering a grounded perspective on Jack’s character, adds a layer of honesty to the film. It reinforces the theme that love doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. You can move on and still be a champion for the person you once shared a life with.
Overall Thoughts
While the ending of The Sun Never Sets may be polarizing—it is where my biggest issues with the film lie —it is undeniably the most honest conclusion the story could have. It honors the characters’ growth rather than satisfying the audience’s ego. The film reminds us that love is about being honest with yourself, even when that honesty hurts.
The Sun Never Sets is a beautiful, messy, and deeply felt exploration of human connection.
Rating: ★★★★☆
The Sun Never Sets had its world premiere at SXSW on March 13. There’s currently no wide theatrical release date announced
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She owns Mama’s Geeky, but also is a freelance writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for more than ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association. Her passion for film, television, video games, and comic books started when she was a little girl and has only continued to grow.