Sunny Dancer - Review

We’re in a weird little box office bubble at the moment. In half of August, we have made up the entirety of August 2025’s box office. We’re on track to be a few billion dollars over 2025’s total when the year closes out. That is great for cinema, I’m glad people are heading back out to see movies. However… This surge in blockbuster success is having a slight knock on effect to indies. Smaller films are not being given the space they would have before because the films that are consistently performing well are holding those screens for longer. Which brings me to Sunny Dancer, a film that is bursting with sincerity, humour and heart, while also being shown in too few cinemas. On opening day of this film last week, I saw this at the only showing, at 7pm. If this film is playing anywhere near you, halt your plans and make this a priority, trust me.

Ivy (Bella Ramsey) is in remission for leukaemia. She has lived her whole childhood in and out of hospitals and now at the age of 17, she has had to grow up faster than anyone should, giving her very little fun to cling on to. Her parents Bob (James Norton) and Karen (Jessica Gunning) see that, and decide to sign her up to a summer camp. The camp is called CRF, and it’s specifically for kids and teenagers who have cancer. Despite Ivy’s initial rejection of the idea, once she meets the other campers, she begins to settle into it. Ivy’s roommate, Ella (Ruby Stokes) integrates Ivy into her friend group, where she meets Jake (Daniel Quinn Toye) and very quickly sparks a summer romance. The campers bond through kayaking, drinking, camping out, talking about the future and sneaking off to a funfair, all leading up to the final week of the talent show.

The subject matter of teenagers with cancer is not an easy one. The logline is a pretty bleak image, but Sunny Dancer’s goal is not to showcase teenagers with cancer, it's to showcase teenagers. They all get to live freely and without the worry that someone isn’t going to understand them. Their connection is so clear in this film, which I think showcases how great all the elements of casting, writing and acting come together. Everyone is given their moment of sincerity, to show the layers beneath their character, and how that builds the connection with the others. Bella Ramsey in particular is great in this, with such a deep understanding of Ivy. They play her in such a balanced manner, knowing her well enough to play any angry outbursts she may have as deeper than just that. They know where they come from, why they happen and that comes across.

The supporting cast all feel correct too, in particular, Jessica Gunning as Ivy’s mum. She is so funny when asked, and then in a moment just flips to being the most genuine character. There is a radiating sincerity from her that feels impossible to replicate. I also really enjoyed Ruby Stokes as Ella. Her character is purposefully grating at first, but once she gets closer with Ivy, you see her on a deeper level. She maintains a lot of the comedy throughout the film, which worked really well for me, but her energy feels like an emotional bridge between Ivy and the rest of the group.

The soundtrack and score aid the performances to hit home any emotional note in this too. They have some great needle drops that work in their scenes, and a beautiful score around it to fill the space and solidify a scene’s tone. The technical achievements don’t end there though, just you wait. The camera work is understated but effective. They stay with the characters, knowing what to show for each scene to work. It works particularly well in a scene where Ivy and Jake are in the lake. It keeps up with them, going in close to show their intimacy. They also pull back for a funfair scene which helps open the scale of the film, like the world around the teenagers as they live more freely.

My only gripe with the film is the speed at which things happen. I think the rug is pulled from under you a couple of times to speed through scenes where you could linger, or add in additional character moments that would sell the ending of the film even harder. Other than that, I think this is a gem of British cinema, and one that could only be a British film. The attitude and connections of these characters are distinctly British. Their attitude to their situation, how they build connection and reject sympathy is too localised to be from anywhere else.

The film is one I am so happy to see being out there in the world, bringing some heart to the screens. It strives to take the stigma away from illness, importantly not including any hospital scenes at all, which has previously felt like a staple for a film surrounding cancer. I can only hope that the film is found by as many as possible, giving it a life beyond the unfortunately small theatrical release.

Sunny Dancer is playing in UK cinemas now.