‘The Sun Never Sets’: Dakota Fanning Stars in an Alaskan Love Triangle

BY Mark Jackson TIMESeptember 13, 2026 PRINT

Old flames Wendy (Dakota Fanning) and Brad (Brandon Daley) pick up where they left off, in "The Sun Never Sets." (Sapan Studios)

R | 1h 42m | Drama, Romance | 2026

In the romantic drama “The Sun Never Sets,” excavation machine operator and sailboat hobbyist Wendy (Dakota Fanning) has been dating Jack (Jake Johnson), a divorced, single dad with custody of two kids who adore her. They live outside of Anchorage, Alaska.

man and woman with drinks at art exhibition in The Sund Never Sets — Jack (Jake Johnson) runs into recent ex, Wendy (Dakota Fanning), at an art exhibition, in “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

Jack’s not about to marry again or have more kids. He gives Wendy the option of taking as much time as she needs to “find” herself. He feels that she’s made him her whole life.

Be Careful What You Ask For

“Mumblecore” is a genre of low-budget, independent films that favors personal relationships, everyday human experiences, and naturalistic dialogue over traditional plots. Mumblecore acolyte writer-director-producer Joe Swanberg is well-acquainted with eccentric relationship dynamics in his films.

woman in brown jacket in front of maroon jeep and mountain range in The Sun Never Sets — Wendy (Dakota Fanning) going to take a look at a sailboat she’s considering buy, in “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

That’s partially why the cast of 30-somethings in “The Sun Never Sets” act like a bunch of raging-hormone teenagers. This is a fairly accurate portrait of the current state of male-female relationships in America, and the world, I dare say.

woman and man talk in a kitchen in The Sun Never Sets — Wendy (Dakota Fanning) has one of many heart-to-heart talks with her ex, Jack (Jake Johnson), in “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

So when Jack “sets Wendy free,” she’s at a loss as to what do with herself. Feeling slightly desperate, she agrees to a date with nice, boring, nerdy Brad (Brandon Daley) who’s had a crush on her since high school.

Like a male bird doing an awkward mating dance, Brad brings a “date present” in the form of a plastic banana flask, to commemorate the time they drank banana schnapps in high school, and she got sick. Yeah, that’s gonna go well.

As Wendy loiters at the bar waiting for a table, and Brad is in the bathroom, she’s transfixed by the sight of ex-boyfriend Chuck (Cory Michael Smith), playing pool.

Chuck’s newly back in Anchorage, working as a bush pilot. When he suggests he spirit Wendy away from Brad mid-date for some beers elsewhere, she’s ecstatic with relief. And so, per Jack’s suggestion—she suddenly finds herself. With Chuck. Again. And rather vehemently so.

young blond woman stands in restaurant in The Sun Never Sets — Wendy (Dakota Fanning) is gobsmacked at the return of her young, handsome ex-boyfriend to the neighborhood, in “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

What Was I Thinking?

Upon learning of these developments, 40-something Jack has an complete and immediate about-face and change of heart. His decision to not marry, nor procreate, is flipped on its ear. He pathetically proposes to Wendy and promises kids. Not only is Froggie now a’courtin’, Froggie is also now a’beggin’, and no woman is going to respect that kind of pushover caving-in, since it reveals Jack’s formerly latent neediness.

Three friends sit at a table in a restaurant in The Sun Never Sets — (L–R) Old friends Brad (Brandon Daley), Wendy (Dakota Fanning), and Lindsay (Debby Ryan) catch up, in “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

However, while Jack is lamenting a la “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone,” he’s also begun dating Sara (Karley Sciortino), rather seriously. What started as a romantic triangle expands to becomes a romantic quadrangle. Sara appears to be the only adult in the room.

man and woman argue in a bathroon in The Sun Never Sets — Wendy (Dakota Fanning) has one of many arguments with ex-boyfriend, Jack (Jake Johnson), in “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

Needed Better Casting

Ultimately, if Swanberg had written characters (and commensurately cast actors) 10 to 15 years younger, the romantic triangle and immaturity of the characters would have seemed a lot more natural. It would have successfully tipped the entire venture over into romcom territory. Speaking of casting, I also had a bit of difficult time buying delicate Dakota as an operator of heavy machinery. Then again, Alaskans are built different.

Yet another casting option that could have lent a bit more reality would have been finding someone other than Jake Johnson. Jake’s Jack is so thoroughly bland and beige that it’s hard to believe Fanning’s character was attracted to him for anything other than stability. While stability is often a big deal, casting a character that provides powerful chemistry would have raised the stakes considerably above the “meh” state of affairs.

Promotional poster for "The Sun Never Sets." (Sapan Studios) — Promotional poster for “The Sun Never Sets.” (Sapan Studios)

‘The Sun Never Sets’
Director: Joe Swanberg
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Jake Johnson, Cory Michael Smith, Karley Sciortino
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hours, 42 minutes
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2026
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

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Mark Jackson

Film Critic

Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.

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