Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibilityCarousel | 2026 Sundance Film Festival
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U.S. Dramatic Competition

Carousel

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United States2025103 minEnglish
Carousel

A divorced doctor’s carefully constructed life in Cleveland is upended when his daughter’s debate aspirations and the unexpected return of a past love force him to confront his own choices and embrace a second chance.

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A divorced doctor’s carefully constructed life in Cleveland is upended when his daughter’s debate aspirations and the unexpected return of a past love force him to confront his own choices and embrace a second chance.

Noah (Chris Pine) is firmly entrenched in his life, which might be a bit lonely but allows him to care for his anxious daughter and his family medical practice. One night, though, he learns his old high school girlfriend Rebecca (Jenny Slate) has returned to town. Now with different life experiences, but the same attraction and shared history of heartbreak, they wonder if love is worth the inevitable pain and complications. Writer-director Rachel Lambert returns with a story told in a pitch-perfect winsome tone, with a sharp eye that captures essential truths, like to love is to lose. Featuring wonderful performances from Pine, Slate, and others, Carousel is a film about lovers, family, getting older — but maybe not growing up — and how change is the only constant in life. — SS

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1).

U.S. Dramatic CompetitionAll FeaturesComedyDramaRomanceFictionClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Rachel Lambert

  • Screenwriter

    Rachel Lambert

  • Producer

    Alex Saks

    David Lipper

    Robert A. Daly Jr.

    Ian Gotler

    Chris Pine

  • Director of Photography

    Dustin Lane

  • Production Designer

    Daniel Maughiman

  • Costume Designer

    Fernando “Fern” Legadoé

  • Editor

    Ryan Kendrick

  • Composer

    Dabney Morris

  • Executive Producers

    Jeff Kranzdorf

    Ryan Winterstern

    Timothy Alek Mulley

    Nat McCormick

    Brandon Burrows

    Sean Krajewski

    Kate Cohen

    Manuel Molina

    Scott Mayer

    Sarah Mayer

    Melissa West

    Mariela Villa

  • Principal Cast

    Chris Pine

    Jenny Slate

    Abby Ryder Fortson

    Sam Waterston

    Katey Sagal

  • Company

    Latigo Films

  • Website
  • Contact

    Oliver Scott

    oliver@latigofilms.com

    7472088672

Meet the Artist

Panelist Name

Rachel Lambert

    Rachel Lambert is a filmmaker known for her intimate, character-driven stories that blend emotional nuance with visual restraint. Her work, including In the Radiant City and Sometimes I Think About Dying, explores loneliness, memory, and connection through a distinctly lyrical, humanistic lens.

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