Directed by Andrew Durham and produced by Sofia Coppola, the film feels like a memory come to life: tender, imperfect, human. Set in 70s and 80s San Francisco, Fairyland follows young Alysia and her father Steve as they carve out a home in an increasingly unfamiliar world: from the city's bohemian freedom, to the heartbreak of the AIDS crisis.

It's hard not to fall for the film's rhythm, the romanticism in the everyday moments between Alysia and Steve. The moments in the film are so immersive you can almost smell the coffee and hear the typewriter keys as Steve, played with beautiful restraint by Scoot McNairy, writes, parents, and loves in equal measure. McNairy's performance is one for the ages.

A poet at heart, Steve writes about life’s emotional minutiae, pouring himself into both his art and his parenting. The film is at its most affecting when McNairy and Nessa Dougherty share the screen. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Dougherty delivers one of the strongest child performances in recent memory, so organic it's like she was carved directly out of the story itself.

The first act establishes their two-person household so vividly that their victories and struggles feel deeply personal to the audience. By the time Emilia Jones steps in as the older Alysia, the story deepens into something achingly universal: the ways we love, the things we inherit, and what we lose along the way.

Jones rises to meet him, but Fairyland ultimately belongs to McNairy. His eyes convey tenderness and depth, projecting the quiet ache of a father desperate to know he did enough, reflecting on a life of love and loss. His portrayal devastates quietly, leaving audiences tearful and shaken. This film is his to carry, and he does so with grace, vulnerability, and unforgettable power.

Durham's direction makes Fairyland feel lived-in, every detail feels honest and intentional, and so naturally right in that world.

Speaking to IndieWire at Sundance, Coppola reflected on their long creative history:

“Andrew’s been a friend and collaborator since the ’90s—we grew up finding our way together, making little short films. He’s someone I’ve always trusted to give notes on my edits, and I’ve admired his films since he was a kid. When I read Alysia Abbott’s book, I immediately thought of Andrew. He knows that world, he understands that story, and I knew he could bring something beautiful to the screen.”

In a world moving too fast for empathy— and too distracted for slow, tender deliberation— Fairyland feels like a gentle reminder to slow down, to love, to forgive.

“One of my biggest surprises in the decade” - RogerEbert.com

“An astonishingly moving film and touching remembrance.” - TheWrap

“A universal story of family, love, and staying true to who you are.” - Deadline

“A career best from Scoot McNairy.” - TheWrap

“An evocative and poignant look at a father-daughter relationship.” - Next Best Picture

“Unlikely to leave a dry eye in the house.” - Deadline

“Moving” with a sense of “hometown pride.” - NY Times

“Fairyland is a bittersweet story of a father and daughter who loved each other deeply in spite of their differences." - The Bay Area Reporter