Seth Rogen & Julia Louis‑Dreyfus bring 25‑year‑old dementia film to NY

# **Seth Rogen, Julia Louis‑Dreyfus, and Bryan Cranston Voice an Animated Film About 25 Years of Alzheimer’s Struggle** When the lights dimmed at the Regal Union Square in New York, a small crowd of A‑listers and industry insiders found themselves listening to a story that was at once uproariously funny and heartbreakingly honest.

The film, *Tangles*, premiered for a limited run this month after being acquired by IFC, and the buzz it has already generated shows that a heartfelt narrative can still pack a punch in a crowded entertainment landscape.

The movie, a 2‑D, black‑and‑white animation, is based on Sarah Levitt’s graphic memoir that chronicles her family’s battle with early‑onset Alzheimer’s, and the cast—led by Seth Rogen, Julia Louis‑Dreyfus, and Bryan Cranston—brings that story to life in a way that feels both fresh and deeply resonant. *Why it matters?* Alzheimer’s and dementia touch more than a handful of households; they ripple through communities, economies, and the very fabric of our shared humanity. *Tangles* is more than a cinematic experiment; it is a cultural touchstone that turns a silent crisis into a vivid visual conversation.

By blending sharp humor with quiet tenderness, the film offers audiences a way to confront a topic that is too often spoken about in hushed tones.

The project’s longevity—starting in 2016 and only now reaching audiences—underscores the dedication required to give voice to a story that is both personal and universal. ## Background & Context The idea for *Tangles* began as a quiet collaboration in 2016, when Sarah Levitt’s memoir was first picked up for adaptation.

Producer Lauren Miller Rogen, wife of Seth Rogen and a co‑producer on the project, recalls that the memoir’s raw honesty struck a chord that felt like an echo of her own family’s experience. “I saw so much of my own story in Sarah’s family story,” she said at the New York screening.

“I have a feeling a lot of you will see your own stories in it as well.” The film’s creative team is a powerhouse of talent and shared purpose.

In addition to the headline actors, the voice cast features Abbi Jacobson and Beanie Feldstein, while production credits include Julia Louis‑Dreyfus, Seth Rogen’s own Point Grey, Monarch Media, Giant Ant, and LYLAS Pictures.

The animation style is intentionally low‑fidelity, a deliberate choice to match the memoir’s intimate, hand‑drawn aesthetic.

Director, producer, and co‑writer Leah Nelson works closely with Levitt, who co‑wrote the screenplay, ensuring that the film remains true to the source material while taking advantage of the unique possibilities of animation.

The film’s acquisition by IFC earlier this year marks the culmination of a long gestation period.

With a planned qualifying run later this month and a wider release slated for early 2027, *Tangles* is poised to generate both critical buzz and a sustained conversation about dementia across the coming months. ## What People Are Saying Julia Louis‑Dreyfus took to the stage with a rare candor about her own family’s history with Alzheimer’s.

“It took advantage of the art form in an unusual and whatever-the-opposite-of-derivative-is way,” she said, laughing in a moment that felt almost cathartic. “I think it’s very funny and very devastating.

I related to it from a personal point of view, having Alzheimer’s in my own family, not once but twice.” Her words, coupled with the film’s poignant subject matter, struck a chord among the audience, many of whom shared personal stories of dementia in hushed whispers. Bryan Cranston’s comments were equally revealing.

He mused that, “It’s not always the case when you get contacted by people you know and friends saying, ‘We’d like you to be in our movie’ that it’s good.” The room erupted in laughter when Seth Rogen interjected, “Almost never!” Cranston, with a grin, continued, “You go, ‘Whoa, how do I get out of this?!’ And then you say something like, ‘You know, I didn’t connect with the character as much as, someone else is going to really, uh …’ But I didn’t have to do any of that.

I read the script and I thought, ‘Wow, this is beautiful.’” Abbi Jacobson, who voices the film’s protagonist Sarah, offered a heartfelt note on the creative process. “I’m playing a real person, who I got to meet.

And I read her book, and so that carried a lot of weight for me,” she said.

Jacobson highlighted the rarity of recording sessions where multiple actors perform together, noting that being in a room “doing the voiceover with them is such a different experience.” The event, presented by Hilarity for Charity—a not‑for‑profit founded by the Rogens to support families affected by Alzheimer’s—was a fitting backdrop for the film’s message.

Key industry figures, including former AMC Global Media CEO Josh Sapan and current AMC executives Kristin Dolan, Dan McDermott, and Scott Shooman, were in attendance, underscoring the project’s cross‑company appeal. ## What Happens Next With IFC’s release strategy in place, *Tangles* will have a limited theatrical run before the wider 2027 rollout.

As part of this rollout, the filmmakers are also planning a series of community screenings, complete with panel discussions featuring Levitt, the cast, and dementia advocates. ## Closing Thoughts *Tangles* is more than a creative experiment; it is the power of storytelling in confronting a crisis that has touched millions worldwide.

From its humble beginnings in 2016 to its anticipated release in 2027, the film’s journey has been marked by perseverance, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.

As audiences begin to see their own stories reflected on screen, *Tangles* is poised to spark conversations that could reshape how we talk about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and the families that navigate them every day.