PG-13 | 1h 34m | Comedy, Drama | 2026
“She Dances” is one of the first features to be released under actor Steve Zahn and director Rick Gomez’s production company, Macaroni Art Productions, the mission of which is to tell human-oriented stories. It’s also a creative family affair, costarring Steve Zahn and his daughter Audrey in her feature film debut.
The film follows the story of divorced dad Jason (Steve Zahn), who gets saddled against his will with the last-minute task of chaperoning his daughter Claire (Audrey Zahn) to her final regional dance competition in Kentucky, along with her best friend, Kat (Mackenzie Ziegler). The reason Jason’s estranged wife, Deb (Rosemarie DeWitt), can’t take her is that she has her ailing mother to look after.
As the story kicks off, Jason and his best friend and business partner, Brian (Ethan Hawke), are in the midst of selling their bourbon business to a large conglomerate. Jason’s doubting himself, as well as the business decision.
On the Road
My favorite Steve Zahn line is from 1998’s “Out of Sight.” Zahn’s character, Glenn, is a small-time crook. His car contains three big-time criminals he did jail time with. They tell him that if he doesn’t like the plan, he can “Get on up out this whip, boy!” Glenn: “Well, you know, like… it’s … my whip, maaan…” Criminals: “Bah-hahaha!”
Given Zahn’s track record in film and comedy, it’s not at all surprising that Jason is a relatively feckless and hapless dad.
The road trip to the competition is the film’s highlight, featuring a lesson for the girls on how to fix a flat tire. There’s also a hilarious dialogue between the girls, who make fun of Jason while using spot-on Jennifer Coolidge imitations—Coolidge is best known for playing Stifler’s mom from 1999’s “American Pie.”
Finally there’s a reservation mix-up at the hotel featuring Ron Livingston (Berger from “Sex and the City”) as the snide concierge, which results in a switch to a shady motel.
Going Deeper
As Jason observes Claire and Kat work on their dance routine, his memories drift to his own performance history, including a regional theater production of “Oklahoma!”
He and Claire also recall the shared loss in their lives of Claire’s brother, Jack, whom we see in Jason’s home movie footage.
While the picture is generally light and breezy, recalling Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku’s hijinks in 2000’s “Bring It On,” it really hits its stride when it leans into the sadness underlying the father-daughter relationship. This is where Zahn and his daughter do their best, most affecting acting work.
The road trip forces the close proximity whereby Claire and Jason must work through their many deep-seated mutual issues. It’s clear early in the film that the family suffered a fairly devastating divorce, but we don’t understand why until much later.
Jason finally gets to feel some semblance of normalcy for the first time in years. While the movie’s ending is on the exasperating side, the filmmakers deserve credit for not settling for a predictable moment of triumph.
Unlike the cheerleading fireworks of “Bring It On,” “She Dances” doesn’t do much to capture the actual dance, apart from the final dance, which is well-choreographed and an emotional depiction of finally coming to terms with grief head-on.
Herewith commences Audrey Zahn’s acting career. Good job!
‘She Dances’
Director: Rick Gomez
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Steve Zahn, Audrey Zahn, Mackenzie Ziegler
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Release Date: March 27, 2026
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at features@epochtimes.nyc
