by Alex Billington
July 8, 2026
Source: YouTube
“You only wanted me when you thought you couldn’t have me anymore…” Independent Film Company has revealed the first official trailer for an indie romance film titled The Sun Never Sets, the latest from indie director Joe Swanberg. It has been a while since he last made a film! He was the mumblecore king in the early 2010s, and recently made Build the Wall in 2020 and Win It All in 2017 but not many new films since. This new film premiered at SXSW 2026 and is a romantic drama about family & life. A woman’s relationship with her older, divorced father boyfriend hits a rough patch just as her ex reappears in her life, leading to complicated emotions and messy entanglements in the Alaskan wilderness. The film was shot on 35mm on location in Alaska. Starring Dakota Fanning as Wendy, Jake Johnson as her new boyfriend Jack, Cory Michael Smith as her old flame Chuck, plus Debby Ryan, Anna Konkle, Lamorne Morris, & Karley Sciortino. I’m glad this feels more charming and rich and warm than something sad and depressing. Yes it’s a complex situation she’s in, but it also feels wholesome and we need more of this right now. Take a look.
Here’s the first official trailer for Joe Swanberg’s film The Sun Never Sets, direct from YouTube:
“A charming take on the love triangle.” Wendy (starring Dakota Fanning) believes she’s perfectly happy in her relationship, until her older boyfriend, Jack (Jake Johnson), who is divorced with children, insists they take a break to make sure she’s truly okay giving up on the idea of marriage and babies. During this time, Wendy unexpectedly runs into her ex, Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), who also reignites her carefree and spontaneous side, and suddenly seems to want a family. The three of them navigate a chaotic, confusing, and often funny relationship triangle, reminding us that the pursuit of love is beautiful and messy all at once. The Sun Never Sets is written and directed and edited by acclaimed American indie filmmaker Joe Swanberg, director of many films including Hannah Takes the Stairs, Alexander the Last, Art History, Drinking Buddies, 24 Exposures, Happy Christmas, Digging for Fire, Win It All, and Build the Wall, plus episodes of the series “Easy” previously. Produced by Jake Johnson, Ashleigh Snead, Joe Swanberg, Dakota Fanning, Cory Michael Smith. This initially premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival earlier this year. IFC debuts Swanberg’s The Sun Never Sets in select US theaters starting August 28th, 2026 coming up soon.
