Chase Infiniti’s Math Drama 'The Julia Set' Premieres at TIFF with Mixed Reviews

Key points

• The film stars Chase Infiniti as Julia Fischer, a college freshman and math genius, and Christopher Briney as her teaching assistant, Pascal.
• IndieWire critic Kate Erbland noted that while Infiniti is a natural talent, the film fails to develop Julia’s character, making it difficult for audiences to invest emotionally.
• The plot centers on Julia’s preparation for the Putnam Competition, a high-stakes math test, which is overshadowed by her relationship with the red-flagged Pascal.
• Supporting roles include Jason Isaacs as Pascal’s Fields Medal-winning father and Gillian Anderson as his former student and wife, whose scenes were highlighted as the film’s most engaging moments.
• The film is currently seeking U.S. distribution after its TIFF premiere.

Background

Chase Infiniti has recently gained attention for her role in 'One Battle After Another' and her executive producer role in 'The Julia Set.' The film was discussed at TIFF alongside other indie titles, with Infiniti and Briney highlighting the collaborative nature of the shoot. This follows Infiniti’s growing profile in independent cinema, as noted in earlier coverage of her TIFF appearances.

Why it matters

The mixed reception of 'The Julia Set' highlights the challenges of balancing character depth with plot-driven narratives in coming-of-age dramas. It also underscores the importance of strong supporting performances in elevating weaker scripts, as seen with Isaacs and Anderson. The film’s search for distribution reflects the competitive landscape for indie films post-festival.

What to watch

The film will likely enter the U.S. distribution market in late 2026 or early 2027, potentially targeting awards-season campaigns given its TIFF premiere. Chase Infiniti may continue to leverage her TIFF exposure for future projects, while Niki Byrne’s feature debut will be evaluated for its impact on her directorial career.