It’s been a busy few months for Este Haim. Having wrapped up the band’s ‘I Quit’ tour at the tail end of 2025, then crowning the year with a celebrity-packed wedding to tech entrepreneur Jonathan Levin on New Year’s Eve, the bassist has spent 2026 cementing her place in the world of cinema.

Last week, new Callum Turner-starring film One Night Only, featuring the musician both on screen and behind its soundtrack, premiered in the US. Today (August 14) Sunny Dancer – with the Haim sister once again composing the score alongside collaborator (and Lana Del Rey, The Last Shadow Puppets bassist) Zachary Dawes – hits UK screens.

Helmed by up-and-coming British director George Jaques, the film follows 17-year-old Ivy (Bella Ramsey) as she attends a summer camp for young people affected by cancer. For Haim, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged 14, the plot took on a special resonance. “I had a very deep connection to the material because I went to a diabetes camp when I was in high school,” she told NME.

“I felt so alone in my illness and no one really understood it, including my family. So when I went to Camp Conrad Chinnook in California back in the early ‘00s, where every single kid was going through the exact same thing that I was going through – and so many different things that I had no idea about too – it was huge.”

The film’s soundtrack also includes songs by Jamie xx, Fred Again.., Yeah Yeah Yeahs and CMAT, with Haim singing the praises of the Irish star. “CMAT is an incredible performer. I mean, that set at Glastonbury [last year] was incredible and breathtaking,” she said. “She’s so talented. I’m a big fan.”

Below, Este digs into the making of Sunny Dancer’s music, the similarities between herself and Charli XCX and the future of Haim.

NME: Hi Este, you’ve told us about your personal connection to Sunny Dancer – what was your reaction to seeing the film?

Este Haim: “I mean, not to be LA about it, but I’m a triple Pisces: you look at me funny and I cry for two weeks. I’m a pretty emotional gal and cancer is a really fucked-up disease. Bella Ramsey is such an amazing actor and they really fucking killed it. They brought such an intense emotionality and authenticity to the part. It was difficult not to cry.”

How do you see your role as a collaborator when you’re scoring a film?

“Well, I work with two other collaborators every day that ends in ‘y’ and they happen to be my family. So I’m used to working alongside other people to make something hopefully great – and I think I thrive in that environment. I like working with a team. I also like not having to worry about lyrics and making something that’s going to hopefully amplify or facilitate what’s going on screen. It’s like a fun puzzle.”

Este Haim. CREDIT: Hedi Stanton

Do you ever have to dial back the hooks for something that sits in the background?

“I go really hard on percussion a lot of the time and most directors are like, ‘Este, you’re pushing it into a carnival cruise ship commercial. You need to rein it in a little bit. Maybe not so many maracas.’”

There’s a lot of amazing artists on the soundtrack – who were your favourites that you wanted to get in there?

“When I was in high school, Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ ‘Fever To Tell’ was one of my favourite albums. So to have Karen O on this soundtrack was really, really big for me. I threw a New Year’s Eve party in 2014 in Echo Park [Los Angeles] and [Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ guitarist] Nick Zinner showed up. I was like: ‘Well now I can literally die happy, nothing is going to get better than this.’ How did he get to my party? Still no idea.”

You’ve got a lot of film work coming out this year – is this the start of a pivot?

“I think it’s just mostly that I like to ’yes, and…’ my way through life. So if there’s a fun project that someone wants me to be a part of, I’m probably gonna say yes, no matter what it is. If you hire me to be a juggler, I don’t know how to juggle but I’ll figure it out.”

Bella Ramsey & Neil Patrick Harris in ‘Sunny Dancer’. CREDIT: Colin J Smith

Would you do a full Charli XCX and do seven films in one go?

“I mean, dude, talk about being booked and busy. Charli’s one of the hardest working people out there: actor, singer, composer. She does it all. But I think that’s because her approach to life in that way is kind of great. Like, if you can do it, why not?”

Where does Haim fit into all these projects at the moment?

“Haim business is open for business, 24 hours, seven days a week. We’re always writing, we’re always thinking about what the next thing is going to sound like. But at the same time, I also just want to live in it a little bit and experience life. I want to revel in being married for a minute. I didn’t get married until I was 39, so now I want to enjoy it and stop and smell the roses for a little bit.”

Paul Thomas Anderson curated a movie marathon for the day after your wedding – what was that vibe like?

“Hungover, popcorn, air conditioning, my favourite movies, lots of snacks, frozen margaritas, pints of ice cream. It was my fantasy.”

Haim at Mad Cool 2022. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Do you have any idea where the next Haim record is heading? What are you finding inspiring?

“I’ve really found New York to be very inspiring. Being here and reconnecting with friends that I went to college with and didn’t have the chance to hang out with because I was living in LA has been really great. And the energy in New York, I’ve really been thriving in it. You go outside of your door and you’re in the shit; you are in the flow whether you like it or not. I’ve found it really inspiring – just the energy and the sounds of New York, it’s so different for me.”

What does a New York Haim record sound like?!

“We’ll have to wait and see! I don’t know the answers yet, but I’m having a great time figuring it out!”

‘Sunny Dancer’ is out in UK cinemas now

The post Este Haim on scoring Bella Ramsey film ‘Sunny Dancer’ and Haim’s New York-inspired fifth album appeared first on NME.