Sundowning is the portrayal of Shannon, a young woman who has lost her cognition and memory. She is content, but lacks any recollection of her past, her family, or her own identity. She lives in pacified near-isolation, sharing an apartment with Susan, her gentle yet mysterious caretaker.
Sundowning is subtle and patient, its narrative structure stripped to a reductive and minimal form. The story moves with deliberate slowness, methodologically observing the women’s ritualistic regimen. Virtually indistinguishable patterns in their daily lives are disrupted by minuscule incongruities. Initially accepting of her relationship with Susan, Shannon eventually grows suspicious of her caretaker’s control. Unable to rely on her memory and subjectivity, Shannon grapples for insight into her condition and Susan’s role in her life. The restrained pace of the film allows room to explore the dynamics of their relationship. The depth of their experience manifests through the nuances of their strict routine.