Berlinale director, Tricia Tuttle, calls this film "a hidden gem."
IndieWire named it one of the "12 films we're excited about heading into the 76th Berlinale".
Critical response Ben Rolph of
Next Best Picture called
Sunny Dancer "a film about joy, which Jaques translates effortlessly to the screen". He praised Ramsey for "once again proving what a talent they really are ... nails both the humour and the emotion". Laura Della Corte of
The Upcoming said Ramsey "delivers a phenomenal lead performance as Ivy, showcasing incredible range by seamlessly blending sharp humour with profound emotion." Leslie Felperin of
The Hollywood Reporter said it was "decidedly uneven but fitfully charming". Nikki Baughan of
Screen Daily said the film "wraps its heavy themes in a peppy, accessible package". Peter Bradshaw of
The Guardian says "the film has buoyancy and sunshine" and the Jaques "executes a smart misdirection-twist." Alex Billington of
FirstShowing.net called the film was "one of the indie gem highlights of 2026 so far" and it "so fresh and vivid and entertaining. Joyful cinema." Serena Seghedoni of
Loud and Clear Reviews wrote that Ramsey "really excels at letting Ivy's pain out at exactly the right time" and "there are some highly affecting moments that will stay with you for a long time after the credits roll". Christian Zilko of
IndieWire said Jaques "made a bleak subgenre of cinema a little bit sunnier." ==References==