Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Anthology movies are a risk because having several stories in one can be either a mess or not. Luckily, Sierra Falconer is able to provide a comfort vibe summer journey with wonderful camerawork, soft stories, and good performances from the nature environment and characters. The movie perfectly captures the summer vibes of youth, people, and the lives people encounter in their moments. Providing some good character interactions, narratives, and dynamics.

Regarding the narrative, there are four stories. Each story focuses on the themes of summer, but on various characters. Particular the first and fourth story is the best one with the most interesting and engaging characters. While story 2 and 3 suffers from some character issues, they didn't feel out of place and were still able to offer a good summer vibe and structure.

Falconer is able to prove with her directing work that she has some good talents. I really like the summer vibe the movie offers and I throughly enjoyed this one.

It's a mostly compelling tetralogy of short films that's well shot with some nice visuals, but half of this film really didn't do it for me.

The first part, Sunfish, tells a story we've seen a thousand times. Moody teen has to stay with people she barely knows and slowly learns to enjoy the time she has. The problem with this one is that her character arc jumps from one end to the other in a matter of minutes, making the story had to relate to. Part 2, Summer Camp, was really well done and probably the best part of the film for me. The acting, story, and emotional beats were all done very well, leaving me satisfied when it ended. I heavily disliked part 3. It's a complete deviation from the previous coming of age shorts which tells an extremely goofy and poorly acted "tall tale" story that is helmed by some extremely cringeworthy characters and dialogue. Luckily, I enjoyed part 4. I didn't like it as much as 2, but it ended the film with a very sweet and compelling sisterly love story that was helmed by 2 very good actresses.

Overall, Sunfish & Other Stories at Green Lake offers a few nice individual stories, but fails as a thematically connective Anthology story.

Sunfish (and Other Stories on Green Lake) is a heartfelt, beautifully made film that captures the feeling of summer in a way that's both honest and deeply familiar. Written, directed, and produced by Sierra Falconer, it has a quiet confidence that lets each moment breathe. If you've ever spent time at a lake cottage or in a small town by the water, this film will feel like home.

The cinematography is gorgeous-soft, natural, and full of detail. It flows effortlessly from one story to the next, each connected by the rhythms of lake life and the bonds between people who share that space.

Falconer brings together a cast of characters who are all navigating their own moments of freedom, change, and responsibility, and it's in those small, human moments that the film really shines.

The writing is thoughtful and grounded, the performances feel real, and the overall experience leaves a lasting impression. What makes it even more impressive is that this is Sierra Falconer's first feature film. It's a remarkable debut-quietly powerful, emotionally resonant, and full of promise for whatever she does next.

It was my favorite film at Sundance this year.