Bella Ramsey Leads Emotional New Drama Sunny Dancer
If you can’t resist a heartwarming comedy-drama, you might want to look out for Sunny Dancer, an upcoming British film starring Game of Thrones and The Last of Us’ Bella Ramsey. It centres around a 17-year-old girl who has been battling cancer and follows her experiences at a summer camp her parents signed her up to just before she becomes a young adult. Having already received glowing reviews from critics, here’s everything we know about it so far:
What is Sunny Dancer about?
Sunny Dancer tells the story of 17-year-old Ivy (Bella Ramsey), who was diagnosed with, and then beat, cancer, and is desperate to finally leave that difficult chapter of her life behind. Unfortunately for her, however, Ivy’s parents have other ideas, enrolling Ivy in a summer camp for teenagers who have also experienced cancer in their lives, leading her to dismissively nickname it “chemo camp”.
Arriving at camp feeling reluctant and awkward, Ivy expects weeks of forced positivity and painful questions on her experiences. Instead, she discovers a lively group of like-minded fellow teenagers who are far more interested in sneaking out, partying, and making the most of their new lease of life than talking about hospital care. Before long, the sceptical Ivy opens up as she begins forming genuine friendships with the camp’s collection of lovable misfits- and may even find a blossoming romance.
The film’s director and writer George Jaques has said he purposefully tried to avoid the clichés often associated with similar stories about illness. Rather than focusing on treatment or harrowing tragedy, Sunny Dancer explores what happens after survival, asking how people rediscover themselves once they’re given a second chance in life. The result is a story about moving into adulthood and finding purpose in life.
Who else stars?
The official trailer for the film mostly focuses on Ivy herself and her colourful new campmates, giving a sense of the bonds and young romance that she experiences during one life-changing summer. Alongside Ramsey, the ensemble cast includes Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ruby Stokes and Earl Cave, as well as a few big names like James Norton and Neil Patrick Harris. There’s also a cameo from James Blunt, which seems fitting in a British comedy given his self-deprecating social media presence.
When does it release?
Following its acclaimed premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Sunny Dancer arrives in UK cinemas next month, on August 14th 2026.
