Sunlight Jr.

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Sunlight Jr.

2013

1h 30m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

63%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

32%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Financial strain, an unplanned pregnancy and an abusive ex threaten the stability of a poor couple's (Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon) relationship.

Critics Consensus

It doesn't offer much in the way of uplift, but Sunlight Jr.'s grim storyline is offset by Laurie Collyer's empathetic screenplay and strong performances from Naomi Watts and Matt Dillon.

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Susan Wloszczyna

RogerEbert.com

Nov 15, 2013

2.5/4

If Sunlight Jr. does anything, it is to shine a light on the fact that the American dream is dormant notion for far too many.

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Sara Stewart

New York Post

Nov 14, 2013

3/4

Collyer paints a sobering and important picture of the way many of us live now.

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Stephen Holden

New York Times

Nov 14, 2013

Despite the intensity of their performances, Ms. Watts and Mr. Dillon are only fleetingly convincing as these desperate young Americans trying to maintain a foothold.

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Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

Jul 28, 2020

B-

The acting is without a doubt fantastic, but [the film] is so heavy, so solemn, and so discouraging.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Aug 29, 2019

The highest praise here should be reserved for Collyer, once again proving she's adept at capturing a believable portrait of people living day by day through rough times and desperate moments.

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Amie Simon

Three Imaginary Girls

Mar 2, 2019

... obviously not going to be on anyone's "feel good" list-but it is a really great film. It's gritty and depressing and devoid of hope, but Watts and Dillon nail it.

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Nesrin U

@Gereg Jun 19, 2025

Sunlight jr. İs slow, shallow, and ultumately pointless.justin's character adds nothing.

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Aug 22, 2020

When i read the logline i was hopeful because it sounded like something with depth; a couple on hard times expecting their first child. When I saw that Matt Dillon was in it I knew it was going to be good. I got more excited when i saw J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) did the soundtrack and the backdrop of a setting in Florida also sounded promising. Matt Dillon and Naomi Watts did the best they could with the overall " miss" of the story that could have been more than just one big downer. The soundtrack falls flat... Mostly just meaningless guitar noodling that didnt convey any type of emotion that could have drawn the viewers in.

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Jun 8, 2019

It’s a very apt portrayal of the people stuck in generational poverty, their lives and choices. It is empathetic, heartbreaking yet consoling all at once.

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Jan 29, 2019

1.29.19 NF w/Sh & J

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Feb 19, 2018

Not great, sad that it is realistic

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Jul 23, 2017

Another independent art house film where Naomi Watts plays a clerk working in a convenience store. She supports her husband Matt Dillon who is an invalid in a wheelchair. A sad, poignant and somewhat pathetic story about how they struggle through their difficulties.

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Laurie Collyer

Director

Naomi Watts

Melissa

Matt Dillon

Richie

Norman Reedus

Justin

Tess Harper

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Synopsis

Financial strain, an unplanned pregnancy and an abusive ex threaten the stability of a poor couple's (Naomi Watts, Matt Dillon) relationship.

Director: Laurie Collyer
Screenwriter: Laurie Collyer
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Original Media
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 30m

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