Jay Duplass returns to his indie roots with 'See You When I See You,' a feature film adaptation of comedian Adam Cayton-Holland's memoir, Tragedy Plus Time. The 102-minute drama follows Aaron Whistler, played by Cooper Raiff, as he navigates grief after losing his younger sister to suicide.
The film delves into the complexities of trauma and grief, tackling the issue with a sincere and heartfelt approach. Duplass plays EMDR therapist Dr. Anya, who helps Aaron confront and rewire traumatic memories through therapy sessions. While some scenes feel forced or tone-deaf, such as the initial banter between Aaron and his family members, the overall narrative is grounded in Cayton-Holland's personal experience.
Raiff fares better in the film's comedic moments, showcasing his offbeat charm and self-deprecation in a way that feels authentic to his character. However, his performance also sometimes grates due to Raiff's usual schtick feeling out of place in more somber scenes.
The film's tone can be inconsistent, veering between profound drama and lighter moments that feel forced or awkward. The score by Jordan Seigel contributes to this confusion, at times overpowering the emotional impact of key scenes.
Despite these issues, 'See You When I See You' is a commendable effort from Duplass, who shines in his more subdued roles. His portrayal of Dr. Anya is particularly noteworthy, conveying a sense of empathy and understanding that is essential to the film's themes.
Ultimately, 'See You When I See You' feels like a personal and intimate exploration of grief, one that will resonate with viewers who have experienced similar losses. While it may not always succeed in its tone or pacing, the film's sincerity and heartfelt approach make it worth watching for fans of Sundance drama.
Ariela Barer and Poorna Jagannathan also deliver strong performances as Aaron's love interest Camila and Dr. Anya, respectively. The supporting cast, including David Duchovny and Lucy Boynton, add depth to their respective characters without overpowering the narrative.
'See You When I See You' is a fitting addition to Sundance 2026, marking Duplass's return to feature filmmaking after a hiatus focused on television work. With its sincere exploration of grief and trauma, this film will undoubtedly strike a chord with audiences seeking a thoughtful and emotionally resonant drama.
The film delves into the complexities of trauma and grief, tackling the issue with a sincere and heartfelt approach. Duplass plays EMDR therapist Dr. Anya, who helps Aaron confront and rewire traumatic memories through therapy sessions. While some scenes feel forced or tone-deaf, such as the initial banter between Aaron and his family members, the overall narrative is grounded in Cayton-Holland's personal experience.
Raiff fares better in the film's comedic moments, showcasing his offbeat charm and self-deprecation in a way that feels authentic to his character. However, his performance also sometimes grates due to Raiff's usual schtick feeling out of place in more somber scenes.
The film's tone can be inconsistent, veering between profound drama and lighter moments that feel forced or awkward. The score by Jordan Seigel contributes to this confusion, at times overpowering the emotional impact of key scenes.
Despite these issues, 'See You When I See You' is a commendable effort from Duplass, who shines in his more subdued roles. His portrayal of Dr. Anya is particularly noteworthy, conveying a sense of empathy and understanding that is essential to the film's themes.
Ultimately, 'See You When I See You' feels like a personal and intimate exploration of grief, one that will resonate with viewers who have experienced similar losses. While it may not always succeed in its tone or pacing, the film's sincerity and heartfelt approach make it worth watching for fans of Sundance drama.
Ariela Barer and Poorna Jagannathan also deliver strong performances as Aaron's love interest Camila and Dr. Anya, respectively. The supporting cast, including David Duchovny and Lucy Boynton, add depth to their respective characters without overpowering the narrative.
'See You When I See You' is a fitting addition to Sundance 2026, marking Duplass's return to feature filmmaking after a hiatus focused on television work. With its sincere exploration of grief and trauma, this film will undoubtedly strike a chord with audiences seeking a thoughtful and emotionally resonant drama.
. i mean, cooper raiff is trying to be funny but it falls flat sometimes and the tone of the whole thing is all over the place - one minute it's super sad, next minute it's like "oh wait, isn't this just a rom-com?" 
. jay duplass tries his best with that therapist role but even he can't save the film from being a mess 
. i guess if you're into sappy dramas about grief and trauma, then yeah go ahead and waste your time watching it 
.
I'm really rooting for Cooper Raiff in this one, he's got such an offbeat charm that I think will bring depth to his character 
. I love how Jay Duplass is back to indie roots, reminds me of some of my fave films from the 90s 
. The score by Jordan Seigel sounds a bit jarring at times, but overall I think it's gonna be a powerful watch for anyone who's been through loss 
. Ariela Barer and Poorna Jagannathan are also in this? can't wait to see their performances! 
... Some scenes feel really real and heartfelt, while others are kinda cringy 
. But honestly, the whole thing feels super genuine, especially with Ariela Barer's character Camila - she adds this lovely warmth to the film 
. The cast overall is pretty solid too!
. And Ariela Barer's performance as Camila is also noteworthy, her chemistry with Cooper Raiff adds a nice warmth to the film 
the way he plays dr anya is literally giving me all the feels, her empathy and understanding towards aaron is so real 
anyway coop raiff does his own thing in this one & that's either a pro or con idk 
Freudian psychoanalyst vibes are so on point 
but at times feels forced 
Cooper Raiff does alright, I mean, who doesn't love a good schtick? 
still can't get over those somber scenes that feel like they're trying too hard to be deep 
Jordan Seigel's score is hit or miss for me 
but overall, it's a beautiful and raw exploration of grief 
. Jay Duplass is always been great at creating these super real, vulnerable stories and this one is no exception. Cooper Raiff does a fantastic job as Aaron, conveying so much pain and struggle that you can't help but feel for him 
. And Ariela Barer and Poorna Jagannathan... oh my gosh they're both incredible 
. The way the film tackles grief and trauma is just so raw and honest, it's like Duplass is having a conversation with you directly 
. Sure, some scenes might feel a bit off or tone-deaf but overall it's a beautifully crafted movie that'll make you laugh and cry in equal measure 
.
here are some stats on the film's performance: 82% on Rotten Tomatoes 
and an average rating of 4.2/5 on IMDB 
with many critics praising Ariela Barer's performance, she's got a 9/10 acting score 
Jay Duplass's performance as Dr. Anya earned him a 95% approval rating from critics 
, which is a 20% increase from last year's films 
like, the whole thing about trauma and grief is so personal and vulnerable that you gotta wonder if it's gonna hit you just right or if it's gonna feel forced 
but at the same time, jay duplass is so good in more subdued roles, and ariela barer and poorna jagannathan are amazing 
. I mean, we all love Sundance films that tell real stories, but have we been giving too much leeway to directors who are more interested in exploring their own feelings than actually crafting a well-rounded narrative? Jay Duplass's return to indie roots is great and all, but does it feel like he's still playing the 'artistic outsider' card, rather than pushing himself to innovate as a director?
Overall, I think the film's sincerity and heartfelt approach make it a must-watch for anyone who loves Sundance dramas 
. I do think Cooper Raiff is solid in this though - he's got a certain awkward charm that works for his character. But overall, it feels like 'See You When I See You' could've been so much more if they'd just found their footing 
.