Amanda Peet and Matthew Shear Collaborate on 'Fantasy Life' Rom-Com

Veteran actress Peet stars in the feature film debut of writer-director Shear, a rising talent known for roles in Baumbach movies.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:30pm

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An extreme close-up of sparkling sequins illuminated by dramatic studio lighting, conveying the glamorous yet intimate mood of the film.The shimmering textures and high-fashion lighting of "Fantasy Life" capture the urbane charm of this thoughtful romantic comedy.NYC Today

Though Amanda Peet has worked steadily in television in recent years, the sincere and urbane comedy "Fantasy Life" marks her first role in a movie since 2015. Her performance as a woman struggling to get back in touch with her true self easily rates among the finest work of her career. The film is the first as writer-director for Shear, best known as an actor in numerous Baumbach films, including "Mistress America" and "Marriage Story."

Why it matters

Peet's return to the big screen in a nuanced, middle-aged woman character role represents a shift in the entertainment landscape, with more opportunities for complex, layered performances by veteran actresses. Shear's transition from acclaimed supporting actor to first-time writer-director also highlights the growing trend of actors expanding into filmmaking roles.

The details

In "Fantasy Life," Peet plays Dianne, who stepped away from an acting career and now lives in Brooklyn with her self-involved musician husband (Alessandro Nivola). She finds herself emotionally entangled with Sam (Matthew Shear), the troubled young man they hire to help look after their three daughters. Warm and insightful, the film is a low-key throwback to the talky city-dweller comedies of Nicole Holofcener and Noah Baumbach.

  • "Fantasy Life" premiered at last year's South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, where it garnered a special jury prize for Peet's performance and an audience award.
  • Peet recently chronicled her own personal experiences with hospice care for her parents and her battle with breast cancer in an essay for The New Yorker.

The players

Amanda Peet

A veteran actress known for roles in films like "Something's Gotta Give" and "The Whole Nine Yards." She stars as the lead character Dianne in "Fantasy Life" and also served as a producer on the film.

Matthew Shear

An actor known for roles in Baumbach films like "Mistress America" and "Marriage Story," making his feature film debut as the writer and director of "Fantasy Life."

Alessandro Nivola

An actor who plays Dianne's self-involved musician husband in "Fantasy Life."

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What they’re saying

“I almost did a spit take. I was like, 'Oh, I want to do this movie.' Matthew's sense of humor was very special and reminded of the kind of New York Jewish humor that I love. I wanted to do right by him.”

— Amanda Peet, Actress

“It was completely game-changing. On paper, having Amanda attached to the movie just helped us get other people interested. But from our first conversation on Zoom, when I was blabbering and trying to make excuses for the fact that I was a first-time director, she just said to me: 'You're fine. Let's talk about the script.' And so that's what we did.”

— Matthew Shear, Writer-Director

What’s next

The film is expected to have a wider theatrical release later this year after its successful festival run.

The takeaway

"Fantasy Life" represents a promising collaboration between a veteran actress and a rising filmmaker, showcasing Peet's continued ability to deliver nuanced, middle-aged woman character roles and Shear's talent for crafting insightful, character-driven comedies that explore the complexities of modern relationships.