In India Donaldson’s insightful, piercing debut, 17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad, Chris (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend, Matt (Danny McCarthy).

As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam, wise beyond her years, attempts to mediate. But when lines are crossed and Sam’s trust is betrayed, tensions reach a fever pitch, as Sam struggles with her dad’s emotional limitations and experiences the universal moment when the parental bond is tested.

The debut feature from American indie filmmaker India Donaldson has echoes of Kelly Reichardt, Nicole Holofcener and Céline Sciamma but also demonstrates its director as someone with an authentic voice of their own.

Director India Donaldson
Year 2025
Duration 1h 30m
Language English
Cast Danny McCarthy, James LeGros, Lily Collias