Andrew Stanton’s Sci-Fi Drama "In the Blink of an Eye" Secures Sloan Prize at Sundance Ahead of February Streaming Debut

Acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Stanton, the creative force behind Pixar masterpieces like Finding Nemo and WALL-E, has made a significant return to the spotlight with his latest live-action project, In the Blink of an Eye. The ambitious drama made its grand debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, marking a pivotal moment in Stanton's directorial career. Written by Colby Day, the film immediately captured the attention of both critics and festival-goers for its intricate narrative and scientific depth.

The production was honored with the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, an accolade reserved for cinematic works that offer a compelling and accurate portrayal of science or technology. This recognition includes a $25,000 cash award provided by the Sundance Institute in collaboration with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Following its world premiere on January 26, 2026, the film has been lauded for its intellectual rigor and its ability to weave complex scientific themes into a human-centric story.

Structurally, In the Blink of an Eye is designed as a sweeping triptych that spans three vastly different eras of existence. The first segment transports the audience back to 45,000 BCE, focusing on a family of Neanderthals as they navigate the brutal realities of prehistoric survival. This portion of the film highlights the dawn of human ingenuity, showcasing the primitive development of tools and the raw struggle for life against a harsh, unforgiving environment.

The second narrative thread is set in the year 2025, centering on a contemporary romantic connection between two academics. Rashida Jones stars as Claire, an anthropologist dedicated to studying the remains of ancient proto-humans, while Daveed Diggs portrays her colleague and student, Greg. Their relationship serves as a bridge between the distant past and the modern world, exploring how our understanding of history shapes our present-day connections and emotional landscapes.

The final chapter of the triptych takes a leap into the future, set within the confined environment of a deep-space vessel. Kate McKinnon takes on the role of Coakley, a character who must navigate a dire ecological crisis alongside the ship’s sophisticated onboard artificial intelligence. This futuristic storyline focuses on the fragility of life as the mission’s oxygen-producing plants face a catastrophic threat, forcing the characters to confront the limits of technology and the necessity of biological preservation.

This project marks Andrew Stanton’s first foray into live-action filmmaking since his 2012 epic John Carter. The screenplay by Colby Day, which originally gained industry attention on the 2016 Black List, draws heavy inspiration from cinematic landmarks such as Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (2014). With a concise runtime of 94 minutes, the film features a score by Thomas Newman, a long-time collaborator of Stanton who previously composed the music for his iconic Pixar features.

Principal photography for the film took place in Vancouver, with the production schedule running from March 24 to May 16, 2023. The technical execution and visual storytelling aim to mirror the grand scale of its influences while maintaining a focused, character-driven narrative. By blending historical drama, contemporary romance, and science fiction, Stanton seeks to explore the enduring nature of the human spirit across the vast expanse of time.

While early critical responses from the Sundance screenings have described the narrative as perhaps overly ambitious, the film has been praised for its bold vision and philosophical reach. Critics noted that the movie insistently argues that some ideas are still big enough to be worth looking up for. Audiences worldwide will have the chance to experience this meditation on hope and the cyclical nature of life when In the Blink of an Eye premieres on the streaming platforms Hulu and Disney+ on February 27, 2026.