Iliza Shlesinger’s Chasing Summer Explores Homecoming and Renewal at Sundance

Iliza Shlesinger stars in and wrote the script for Chasing Summer, a new comedy that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026. The story follows Jamie, a woman in her 30s who loses her job and boyfriend at the same time, then heads back to her small Texas hometown. There, memories from a wild high school summer come alive through run-ins with old friends and past romances, pushing her toward a fresh start.

Background

Shlesinger first jotted down the core idea in 2018. She wondered what would happen if high school memories hit hard later in life. That simple question grew over years of rewrites, with plenty of pauses and restarts along the way. The result is Chasing Summer, directed by Josephine Decker and shown at Sundance this year.

The film came together after Shlesinger shaped the script to fit her own style as a comedian. She plays Jamie, who arrives in her Texas hometown amid a double blow: no job, no boyfriend. The setting feels real, with hot summer streets that mix pain and hope. Decker's touch keeps things loose and close, letting the story breathe as Jamie sorts out her past and future.

Texas serves as more than a backdrop. It pulls Jamie back to who she was as a teen, full of reckless fun. Now, as an adult, she faces those same places with new eyes. Friends from back then show up, stirring old feelings and unfinished stories. Shlesinger drew from her stand-up roots to make the humor feel natural, a shield against tougher moments.

Key Details

Jamie steps off the bus into familiar heat, jobless and single. Her return kicks off meetings with people from that one key summer in high school. Garrett Wareing plays her old flame, a steady guy whose presence brings back sparks. Their talks carry a quiet pull, like the past is right there, waiting.

Lola Tung shows up as a friend who knew Jamie's wild side. She brings energy and laughs, reminding everyone of the good times. Tung's role adds lift whenever the mood dips. Together, these characters help Jamie move through confusion toward something better.

Handling Intimate Moments

The film includes close scenes between Jamie and her past love. Decker used an intimacy coordinator to guide those parts. Shlesinger pushed for a view shaped by women, making sure the moments felt real and respectful. No rushing or faking it—just honest takes on desire and connection.

Shlesinger explained her approach in a festival talk.

"We wanted sex scenes that women would recognize, not the usual male gaze stuff. The coordinator made everyone comfortable, and that let us focus on the story." – Iliza Shlesinger

Decker's camera stays near faces, catching half-said words and quiet pauses. This builds a soft feel, even when Jamie's choices get messy. Humor runs through it all, lightening the deeper feelings without hiding them.

The script builds Jamie as curious about her memories and wants. She laughs at her own stumbles, turning pain into steps forward. Sundance viewers saw a film that wanders but lands warm, with strong turns from the cast.

What This Means

Chasing Summer fits into a wave of stories about women hitting reset in their 30s. It shows returning home not as defeat, but as a door to growth. Jamie's path—from loss to new chances—mirrors real lives upended by sudden change.

For Shlesinger, the film marks a step from stand-up to full projects. She wrote, starred, and produced, proving her range. Decker's direction adds layers, making a simple homecoming feel fresh. Early reviews call it a B+ effort, praising the easy flow and heart.

The movie speaks to anyone facing a rearranged life. Texas heat stands for both old aches and new promises. Jamie sorts her pieces amid friends who remember her fire. By the end, she finds grace in the mess, stepping into a future shaped by her past.

Sundance spotlights like this often lead to wider releases. Chasing Summer's mix of laughs and quiet truth could draw crowds looking for real comedies. It highlights how past summers can chase you back, but also push you ahead. Shlesinger and her team crafted a film that lingers, warm and inviting.

Viewers note the balance: humor keeps it light, while emotions run deep. Jamie's openness makes her relatable—a woman testing who she can be now. The cast's chemistry sells it, from Wareing's calm draw to Tung's spark. Decker wraps it in a sun-soaked feel that sticks.

This project shows comedy's power to handle heavy topics. Loss starts the story, but renewal drives it. For fans of smart laughs with heart, Chasing Summer delivers. Its Sundance bow sets up talks for theaters or streams soon.