Watch The Second Sun

The Second Sun is a 2018 indie drama directed by Jennifer Gelfer and starring Eden Epstein, John Buffalo Mailer, and Ciaran Byrne. The film follows a young couple, Amara and David, as they struggle to navigate their relationship in New York City during a solar storm that threatens to black out the entire city. The film opens with Amara, a struggling writer, interviewing for a job at a publishing company while David, a musician, plays a gig at a local bar. Their relationship is already strained due to Amara's ambition and David's lack of direction in life. However, things take a turn when a solar storm hits the city, causing widespread panic and chaos.

As the power goes out all over New York, Amara and David are forced to confront their fears and insecurities while trying to survive without electricity. They begin to rely on each other more heavily, but also struggle with feelings of isolation and loneliness in the dark, quiet city.

While the solar storm is a major plot point, the heart of the film lies in the characters' emotional journeys. Amara is desperate to prove herself as a writer and struggles with the pressure to succeed, even as the world around her falls apart. David, on the other hand, is content to drift through life without a clear purpose, but begins to question whether that's enough in a crisis.

The film is shot mostly in dark, intimate spaces - a candlelit apartment, a flashlight-lit stairwell - which creates a sense of intimacy and urgency. Despite the lack of action, the tension is palpable as the characters grapple with their own fears and desires.

The Second Sun is also notable for its use of music, which serves as a metaphor for the characters' struggles. David's music is a way for him to connect with the world and express himself, while Amara is constantly searching for the right words to communicate her thoughts and feelings. The film's score, composed by Leo Flynn, is haunting and dreamy, adding to the melancholic atmosphere.

Overall, The Second Sun is a quiet, introspective drama about love, ambition, and the fragility of human connection. While the premise may sound sci-fi, the film is ultimately a character study that just happens to take place during a solar storm. Eden Epstein and John Buffalo Mailer give subtle, nuanced performances that anchor the film, while Jennifer Gelfer's direction and Leo Flynn's score create an immersive, moody atmosphere.

The film has received positive reviews from critics, who have praised its visual style and emotional depth. Some have compared it to Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise trilogy or Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love for its focus on character and mood over plot. While it may not be for everyone - especially those seeking action-packed disaster movies - The Second Sun is a thoughtful, well-crafted indie film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with relationships or creative ambitions.

In conclusion, The Second Sun is a movie that explores the depth of human emotions and the consequential issues that arise in relationships. Jennifer Gelfer directed this indie drama with captivating visuals to tell the story of Amara and David's struggle to cope with their fears and insecurities in a world without power. With great acting from Eden Epstein and John Buffalo Mailer and a haunting score from Leo Flynn, The Second Sun is a must-see for fans of introspective character studies.

The Second Sun is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 23.