AceShowbiz - For fans of indie films, and especially the mumblecore genre, few names are as recognizable as Joe Swanberg. He was a leading figure in this early 2000s movement of DIY filmmaking, alongside the Duplass brothers and the late Lynn Shelton. Mumblecore films are known for their naturalistic, often improvised dialogue, awkwardly humorous moments, and low-budget digital aesthetics that sometimes looked like they were shot in a basement—because, often, they were.

This style typically focused on young white characters navigating uncertain lives, often young women discovering themselves amid casual relationships and lots of awkward, sometimes bad, sex. Alternatively, stories might center on men who are too old to live with their parents, obsessed with philosophical or conspiracy theories, as in the Duplass brothers’ Jeff, Who Lives at Home, featuring a stoner-philosopher on a quest for meaning during a mundane Home Depot trip.

However, the key players of mumblecore have since moved on. The Duplass brothers have found success as actors, Greta Gerwig is now a blockbuster director, and Swanberg himself has not directed a feature film since 2017, focusing instead on the Netflix series Easy.

That’s why the buzz surrounding The Sun Never Sets, Swanberg’s first feature in nearly a decade, was so palpable at SXSW. This indie romantic triangle set in Alaska stars Dakota Fanning delivering what many consider the best performance of her career. The film was a standout at the festival and raises the question: are we witnessing a new wave of post-mumblecore films? These would be deeply human stories about 30- and 40-somethings making flawed choices in love.

The first striking difference from Swanberg’s earlier work is the film’s visual quality. Shot on 35-mm film, it showcases breathtaking Alaskan landscapes bathed in 24-hour daylight. The cast clearly had a blast, especially as they all learned to fly planes for the film—an experience not without risks. Co-star Jake Johnson remarked to Screen Rant, “Anyone can fly a plane in Alaska! There’s no regulation. They’re like, ‘You wanna fly a plane?’ ‘Sure!’ They’re like, ‘It’s like a boat!’ But it’s a plane in the air.”

In the film, Dakota Fanning plays Wendy, a 31-year-old construction worker in Anchorage who operates a bulldozer by day. She is happily dating Jack (played by Johnson), a divorced hedge-fund manager in his 40s with two kids. But when Jack suggests they take a break so Wendy can figure out what she truly wants, things get complicated. Wendy soon reconnects with her charismatic ex, Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), a pilot with a mysterious streak who vanishes for days without explanation.

The story draws heavily from Swanberg’s own experiences. After his divorce in 2019 from actress Kris Williams, with whom he shares two children, Swanberg was inspired by his post-divorce relationships. He told Deadline at SXSW that the character of Wendy is an amalgamation of several relationships with younger women, transformed significantly by Dakota Fanning's input.

He explained to IndieWire that in one relationship, Swanberg worried that his refusal to remarry or have more children would ultimately disappoint his younger partner, leading him to self-sabotage. This emotional complexity seeps into the film’s narrative, adding depth and realism.

To maintain genuine chemistry and tension, Swanberg kept Johnson and Smith unaware of each other’s scenes with Wendy by shooting their parts separately. Johnson admitted to feeling real jealousy when witnessing the chemistry between Dakota Fanning and Smith on set. He even joked to Deadline that, as a producer, he wanted to make Smith’s character less attractive to tone down the tension, suggesting the character be “five-foot-two and way uglier.”

Yet, none of the story’s emotional weight would succeed without Dakota Fanning’s performance. She convincingly portrays a woman torn between two men, managing to make both relationships believable despite Wendy’s indecision. Many agree she has never been better on screen. Watching her is like meeting the actress anew—mature, relaxed, funny, and layered with heartbreak and complexity.

While her sister Elle Fanning has garnered acclaim through prestigious Cannes films and HBO shows, this portrayal reveals a different, perhaps more seasoned side of Dakota Fanning. Beneath her bright exterior lies a woman who has experienced life’s challenges and come through with empathy rather than cynicism. It took the right director—in this case, Swanberg—to unlock this side of her talent.

The Sun Never Sets stands as a promising return for Joe Swanberg and a career-defining role for Dakota Fanning. It offers a fresh, beautiful look at mature relationships shaped by love, jealousy, and self-discovery, all set against the stunning backdrop of Alaska’s endless daylight. For those eager for authentic, human stories about imperfect people navigating complex emotions, this film could mark the beginning of a new chapter in indie cinema.