Every few Sundances, there’s a rare and unforgettable moment. One you hope for but can never predict. A moment when you witness something completely unexpected, the kind of movie magic every festivalgoer chases with each ticket they buy. On Monday night in Park City, that moment arrived for everyone at the premiere of Sorry, Baby.

Eva Victor writes, directs, and stars in the biggest surprise and best film so far at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Victor announces herself as an absolute force with a film that is equal parts heart-breaking and hilarious.

The film follows Agnes (Victor) as she navigates a traumatic event that continues to impact her life. While her friends and the world have moved on, she is still left behind, navigating the difficult journey of coping with her past.

Victor delivers a stellar performance, thanks in part to the exceptional script she wrote. Victor masterfully balances humor and drama while handling such heavy subject matter. She makes you laugh, she makes you cry, and every shift is pitch-perfect.

Her direction matches the beauty of the script, and her use of a non-chronological format gives the film an original, innovative feel, setting it apart from the typical Sundance drama.
Victor plays alongside a fantastic supporting cast, led by Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice, I Wanna Dance with Somebody,) Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea, Ladybird) and John Carroll Lynch (Fargo, The Founder.) Ackie shines as Lydie, Agnes’s supportive and loving best friend while Hedges is charming and hilarious as Agne’s neighbor. Meanwhile John Carroll Lynch nearly steals the entire movie with just one scene.

These performances while all being delivered by incredibly talented actors shows the immense talent of Victor. Each character is meticulously crafted, multi-layered, and essential to building a world that, sadly, too many people have experienced first-hand.

The greatest part of Sundance is the unknown. In 15 years I’ve walked into a lot of Sundance movies hoping to bear witness to an incredible debut. Perhaps the next Whiplash or Beasts of the Southern Wild. Is Sorry, Baby a movie that can achieve that level of success and notoriety? Time will tell. But what’s undeniable is the sheer quality of filmmaking on display. It is an important film delivering a message that is too often unspoken or unheard. For some, it will be entertainment; for others, it will be a beacon of hope.

It doesn’t get better than a movie like Sorry Baby at Sundance and for all who attended that world premiere, they will never forget it.