David Cross is trying to reinvent himself. If you’re at the Tribeca Film Festival this year, you’ll be able to see him in two separate films. One is a charming documentary about him and his close collaborator, Bob Odenkirk, trekking up Machu Picchu as Cross grapples with the unique feeling of being an actor constantly overshadowed by someone else. It’s fitting that the other film of his playing at the festival is Lucy Schulman, a story about an aimless daughter whose father overshadows the many messy relationships she pursues and the friends she keeps.
Lucy Schulman Review
David Cross and Ellie Sachs in Lucy Schulman, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 5, 2026.
Ellie Sachs writes, directs, and stars in Lucy Schulman, a straightforward film; the kind of which might not immediately stand out in the crowded landscape of indie comedies. Relying on quirky relatability is a familiar fallback for indie filmmakers trying to build empathy. While it occasionally flirts with being cloying, it mostly remains charming, anchored by a solid lead performance from Sachs and a reliable supporting turn from Cross.
It’s easy to find films that tap into this specific brand of realism. It isn’t as mundane (and I don’t mean mundane in a negative way) as the work of the Duplass brothers, but it also isn’t as achingly sincere as a Cooper Raiff project. It operates in a comfortable middle ground, which gives Sachs a distinct directorial voice. This voice shows through in her ability to balance humor and emotional moments, making the film a worthwhile watch.
Related: See You When I See You Sundance Review – Cooper Raiff Shines in Moving, Yet Muddled Work from Jay Duplass
What makes this film work is its heart. Cross brings a lot to the table, but make no mistake, this is Sachs’s showcase. She tackles the millennial and Gen Z perspective of not belonging with a tone that stays grounded. Yes, she falls into some of the familiar cinematic traps of youthful frustration, but isn’t real life full of those exact same repetitive mistakes? This authenticity is what sets Lucy Schulman apart and allows it to resonate on a decent level.
Hasan Minhaj and Ellie Sachs in Lucy Schulman, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 5, 2026.
Making a massive cross-country move from Gainesville, Florida, to Burbank, California (as I did about a week ago), brings about a dramatic shift in perspective. Unpacking my life in a new city made the emotional core of Lucy Schulman hit me harder than it might have a week earlier. The rewarding thing about coming-of-age stories is that your reaction can range from feeling isolated to absorbed, depending on where you are in life. Sachs relies heavily on her own experiences, infusing the narrative with a personal touch that makes the film feel authentic and relatable.
Related: Turn It Up! Tribeca Review: A Loud and Gory Blast
While it’s easy to call a premise like this generic, it’s refreshing to watch a young filmmaker embrace her truth rather than constantly worrying about what an audience might want. This sincerity allows for a solid engagement with the characters and their struggles, even when the script meanders. Lucy Schulman is a chaotic woman trapped in a not-so-chaotic film.
Is Lucy Schulman worth watching?
At times, the film captures the subtleties of everyday life and relationships that often get lost in grandiose storytelling. The charm of Lucy Schulman lies not in its complexity, but in its simplicity. It mirrors the ebb and flow of real life, capturing the confusion and clarity that often coexist. The film might not be designed to stick at the front of your brain for years to come, but instead, it exists to help you unpack some of the emotional baggage of moving past a messy chapter in life. For many films, that’s all that’s necessary, and for Lucy Schulman, it’s this focus that makes it an enjoyable viewing experience.
Lucy Schulman premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, which runs from June 3 – 14, 2026.
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