Sunlight (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Sunlight is a 2025 adventure comedy starring Nina Conti as Jane, Shenoah Allen and Melissa Chambers. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $17,574 worldwide. Critics gave it 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Anyway Content
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sunlight About?
The premise of Sunlight without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In New Mexico, a troubled radio host, Roy, is rescued from a desperate situation by Jane, a mysterious woman escaping an abusive relationship. Jane is fleeing her dead mother's manipulative partner. Together, they embark on a bizarre quest, exhuming the grave of Roy's eccentric father to recover a watch they believe will fund their escape. As they navigate their unusual circumstances, an unexpected connection develops between Roy and Jane. Jane finds strength and a newfound sense of self within her unconventional disguise, but struggles to fully emerge until she feels truly accepted.
Sunlight Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- love
Sunlight Cast & Characters
Nina Conti leads the cast as Jane, with Shenoah Allen as Roy and Melissa Chambers as Gail.
- Nina Conti as Jane
- Shenoah Allen as Roy
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Melissa Chambers as Gail -
Bill Wise as Wade
Also Starring in Sunlight
· 6 more- Dyron C. Thompson Groundskeeper
- Rachel Kylian Vashti
- William Sterchi Mr. Shultz
- Asha Bee Receptionist
- William Troy Ford Young Roy
- Estrella Avila Carmalita
Sunlight Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Sunlight 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
Sunlight Echo Score Breakdown
Sunlight's greatest strength lies in its heartfelt originality and warm tone. Critics and users alike note the film’s blend of absurd road-trip whimsy and emotional sincerity, praising Conti's directorial debut for its distinctive hook. While some note occasional narrative unevenness and pacing lapses, the engaging performances and creative premise consistently resonate. Overall, Sunlight delivers an engaging, character-driven experience that overcomes its storytelling flaws to leave a lasting positive impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, Sunlight showcases thoughtful cinematography and inventive direction. Nina Conti’s debut brings a raw immediacy through fluid camera work and expressive production design that underscores the road-trip setting. Editing choices occasionally feel abrupt, mirroring the film’s uneven tone, but the overall visual coherence and inventive framing create a distinctive stylistic identity. These elements contribute to a confidently realized aesthetic.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Sunlight excels at crafting complex, endearing protagonists. The leads convey authenticity through nuanced performances that balance humor and vulnerability, enabling viewers to invest in their journeys. Though some moments lean into heightened absurdity, the film’s commitment to exploring shame and connection yields genuine empathy. The result is a warmly human portrait defined by strong emotional chemistry.
- Story & Flow 70
In terms of story and flow, Sunlight engages with a fresh premise but exhibits uneven pacing and occasional narrative gaps. The two-wayward-souls road-trip structure offers moments of striking originality, yet tonal shifts between comedy and drama sometimes disrupt coherence. Reviewers note that while the engaging vignettes sustain interest, they do not fully compensate for the plot’s episodic feel. The overall narrative remains intriguing despite sporadic flaws.
- Sensory Experience 90
In terms of sensory experience, Sunlight delights with a vibrant soundtrack and polished sound design that enhance both its comedic absurdity and emotional moments. The audiovisual elements integrate with the visual style, which combines naturalistic lighting and expressive framing to reinforce the film’s warm tone. Occasional shifts in style echo the film’s uneven pacing but do little to diminish the immersive quality. The sensory components yield a consistently engaging atmosphere.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Regarding rewatch factor, Sunlight offers lasting appeal through its unique tone and heartfelt humor, inviting viewers to revisit its emotional highs and absurd vignettes. The interplay between dark comedic elements and warm character moments reveals new subtleties on subsequent viewings. Some may find narrative unevenness less appealing on repeat watches, but the film’s creative premise and memorable performances provide sufficient incentive for a second viewing.
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IMDb 6.9 /10
983 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB
Sunlight Plot Summary
What happens in Sunlight from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Roy Belvedere, Shenoah Allen, attempts to end his life in a dim Albuquerque motel, but his plan is interrupted by a surreal sight: a woman in a monkey suit who treats the outfit as a living persona. The woman speaks in a calm, persuasive voice and presents herself as Jane, Nina Conti, explaining that the monkey suit is more than a costume—it is a split in her own identity. She insists she needs to reach a lake in Colorado, and though Roy is wary, a bargain forms: he will escort her to Colorado after he first reaches his mother’s house. In turn, he asks for a clear target to hold onto, something that gives him a reason to keep moving forward.
Full summary
The whole story of Sunlight, scene by scene
Sunlight Box Office
Sunlight grossed $17,574 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$17.6K
- International
- $17.6K
Sunlight Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Sunlight.
How Well Do You Know Sunlight?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the full name of the film's main protagonist?
Sunlight Also Known As
Also known as “Lumina zilei”.
- Also known as
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- Lumina zilei
Seen Sunlight?
Movies Like Sunlight
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Sun Comes Up, Sunrise and Love and Sunshine.
Sunlight FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sunlight, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sunlight?
Sunlight runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Sunlight released?
Sunlight was released on June 6, 2025.
Who is in the cast of Sunlight?
Sunlight stars Nina Conti as Jane, Shenoah Allen as Roy and Melissa Chambers as Gail, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Sunlight make at the box office?
Sunlight grossed $17,574 worldwide.
How is Sunlight rated?
Sunlight has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 67 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Does Sunlight have a post-credit scene?
No. Sunlight has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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