Jay Duplass, a filmmaker long associated with the intimate, often improvised "mumblecore" movement, has taken a significant step toward a more classical form of storytelling with See You When I See You. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2026, the film marks a shift for Duplass into a territory that critics are already calling his "Redford era." Produced by Astute Films, Duplass Brothers Productions, and Winter Coat, the movie is an adaptation of the deeply personal memoir by Adam Cayton-Holland, who also penned the screenplay. While theatrical box office data is not yet available following its festival launch, the pedigree of its cast and the raw honesty of its subject matter suggest a strong life on the independent circuit and beyond.
The story centers on Aaron Whistler (Cooper Raiff), a young comedy writer whose professional life is a facade for a crumbling internal world. Aaron is haunted by the sudden death of his sister and closest confidante, Leah (Kaitlyn Dever). Rather than facing the void left by her absence, Aaron has built a fortress of avoidance, a strategy that begins to take a heavy toll on his relationships and his sanity. Surrounded by his fractured family, including his parents Robert (David Duchovny) and Paige (Hope Davis) and his other sister Emily (Lucy Boynton), Aaron must navigate the wreckage of a household that is simultaneously suffocating under the weight of the past and desperate to find a way forward. The film matters because it tackles the specific, messy intersection of humor and tragedy, illustrating that healing is not a linear process but a jagged, often regressive journey.
Story and Screenplay: Navigating the Jagged Edge of Avoidance
The narrative quality of See You When I See You is rooted in the authenticity of its source material. Because Adam Cayton-Holland is writing from the perspective of his own life, the script possesses a specificity that feels genuine. We aren't just watching a generic "grief movie"; we are watching the Whistlers deal with a very specific kind of absence. The structure of the film relies on the tension between what is said and what is buried. However, this is also where the script encounters its most significant hurdles. There is an erratic quality to the storytelling that can be jarring. At times, the film lingers in the quiet, painful moments of domestic life with beautiful patience, but then it will suddenly leap across major plot developments with a speed that leaves the viewer feeling disconnected.
One of the primary weaknesses of the screenplay is its tendency to use "emotional shortcuts." For instance, a subplot involving a health scare for the mother, Paige, is introduced with significant gravity, only to be resolved almost as an afterthought. Similarly, the long-term strain on Robert and Paige’s marriage is presented as a looming disaster, yet the script frequently jumps from peak tension to a tidy solution without showing the hard work of the middle ground. This creates a pacing issue where the film feels like it is rushing past the very discomfort it wants us to understand. Despite these structural flaws, the central theme of deciding when and how to face one's trauma is handled with a commendable lack of sentimentality. The script avoids easy answers, focusing instead on the reality that "seeing" your trauma is a choice one has to make every single day.
Acting and Characters: A Powerhouse Ensemble Finding Light in the Darkest Corners
The performances in See You When I See You are the film's greatest asset. Cooper Raiff, who has carved out a niche playing vulnerable and slightly lost young men, brings a frantic, suppressed energy to the role of Aaron. He perfectly captures the exhausting nature of trying to be "the funny guy" when your world has stopped spinning. However, the film is truly anchored by the veteran presence of David Duchovny and Hope Davis. Duchovny, in particular, delivers a surprisingly tender performance as a father who is trying to hold his family together while his own foundation is cracking. The chemistry between him and Davis feels like that of a couple that has been in the trenches for decades, and their scenes together provide the film’s most moving moments.
Kaitlyn Dever, appearing largely in memories and flashbacks as Leah, remains the ethereal heart of the movie. Even with limited screen time, she makes the bond between the siblings feel vital and real, which is essential for the audience to understand Aaron’s devastating sense of loss. Lucy Boynton also does excellent work as Emily, providing a more grounded, pragmatic foil to Aaron’s spiraling avoidance. On the other hand, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. Ariela Barer is captivating as Camila, a nurse who becomes a brief romantic interest for Aaron, but their relationship never feels fully integrated into the larger story. It feels like a subplot that was beamed in from a different, more conventional movie, and it doesn't give Barer enough room to truly impact the narrative. When the Whistlers are together, the ensemble creates a convincing portrait of a family that loves each other but has forgotten how to speak the same language.
Direction and Technical Aspects: The Intimacy of Domestic Disarray
Jay Duplass brings a sensitive, almost documentary-like eye to the direction of See You When I See You. His vision is one of extreme intimacy, favoring close-ups and a naturalist visual composition that emphasizes the performances over any stylistic flourishing. There is a "Redford-esque" quality to the way he handles the suburban setting, making the Whistler home feel both like a sanctuary and a prison. The cinematography avoids the bright, saturated colors often found in comedies, opting instead for a softer, more muted palette that reflects the family’s emotional state.
The visual storytelling is most effective when it focuses on the small, unspoken moments of domestic life: a hand lingering on a doorframe, the way characters avoid eye contact at the dinner table, or the physical distance between Robert and Paige in their shared bedroom. These choices build a sense of atmosphere that the script sometimes lacks. However, the editing occasionally mirrors the script’s pacing problems. The transitions between the slow-burn emotional beats and the more hurried plot resolutions can feel abrupt, as if the film is constantly recalibrating its own internal clock. Despite these minor hiccups, Duplass shows a clear growth in his ability to handle larger, more structured dramas while maintaining the human-centric focus that defined his earlier work.
Music and Atmosphere: The Melancholic Sound of Recovery
The atmosphere of See You When I See You is one of earnest, sustained emotion. The mood is heavy but not entirely hopeless, a balance that is difficult to strike. The sound design plays a crucial role in creating this environment, utilizing the quietude of a mourning household to heighten the impact of the dialogue. There is a clear message in the silence: that avoidance has its own sound, and it is deafening.
The score and soundtrack are used with restraint, which is a significant strength. Rather than using swelling strings to manipulate the audience’s emotions, the music serves as a subtle underscore to Aaron’s internal state. It feels as though the audio is trying to bridge the gap between Aaron’s comedy-writer persona and his grieving reality. This choice enhances the experience by allowing the audience to sit in the discomfort along with the characters. The overall tone is one of "vulnerable honesty," and while the film doesn't always find the right words, the audio landscape ensures that we always feel the intention behind them. It is an atmospheric experience that respects the source material’s roots in personal tragedy while leaving room for the occasional, necessary breath of humor.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What works well:
- Exceptional Ensemble Cast: The veteran performances from David Duchovny and Hope Davis provide the film with a much-needed emotional anchor.
- Vulnerable Honesty: The film tackles the reality of PTSD and trauma avoidance with a raw, unvarnished perspective that feels deeply personal.
- Strong Thematic Core: The message that healing requires active confrontation rather than passive avoidance is delivered with clarity and impact.
- Cooper Raiff’s Lead Turn: Raiff continues to excel at portraying the specific, messy vulnerability of modern young adulthood.
- Atmospheric Intimacy: Jay Duplass’ directorial style creates a sense of "lived-in" reality that makes the Whistlers feel like a real family.
What doesn't work:
- Erratic Pacing: The film struggles to find a consistent rhythm, often lingering too long on minor moments while rushing through major plot developments.
- Underdeveloped Romance: The subplot involving Aaron and Camila feels disconnected from the main narrative and lacks emotional weight.
- Script Shortcuts: The resolution of several major threads, including a health crisis and marital strife, feels abrupt and unearned.
- Trope-Heavy Characterization: At times, the characters fall into familiar "indie drama" archetypes that feel less original than the source material suggests.
- Disjointed Transitions: The editing occasionally creates a jarring experience when moving between the film’s disparate emotional registers.
Final Verdict: A Heartfelt though Uneven Journey Through the Labyrinth of Loss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
See You When I See You is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, for better and for worse. It is a work of profound empathy that isn't afraid to look at the ugly, exhausting parts of grief that most movies prefer to gloss over. While Jay Duplass and writer Adam Cayton-Holland haven't quite mastered the structural balance required for such a heavy narrative, the emotional truth at the center of the film is undeniable. It is a reminder that the people we lose never truly leave us, but we have to decide for ourselves when we are ready to look them in the eye.
Who should watch it? This film is highly recommended for fans of earnest, performance-driven dramedies like Ordinary People or The Farewell. It will resonate deeply with anyone who has navigated the long-term aftermath of a family tragedy or struggled with the weight of unspoken trauma. Those who appreciate the Duplass Brothers' earlier work will find a more mature, refined version of their signature style here. Who might not enjoy it? If you are looking for a fast-paced narrative with clear, satisfying resolutions, you may find the Whistler family’s journey to be frustratingly slow and occasionally disjointed. Additionally, those who are particularly sensitive to themes of parental illness or the death of a sibling may find the film’s raw honesty to be a bit too heavy for a casual watch. Ultimately, See You When I See You is a flawed but moving achievement that confirms Jay Duplass as a filmmaker capable of handling the most delicate of human experiences.
Recommendation: This is a Sundance standout that is well worth your time for the performances alone. Go in expecting a quiet, contemplative family study rather than a traditional narrative, and you will find a film that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. It is a bitter pill to swallow at times, but it is one that offers a genuine sense of hope.
 Movie Review: A Fragile and Deeply Earnest Examination of the Long Shadow Cast by Unprocessed Grief){kind=link}
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