Sweetheart is a 2019 American horror feature film directed by J.D. Dillard (co-writer of Stray) from a screenplay co-written with Alex Hyner and Alex Theurer. The Blumhouse Productions movie stars Kiersey Clemons, Emory Cohen, Hanna Mangan Lawrence and Andrew Crawford.
Plot:
Jenn (Kiersey Clemons) has washed ashore a small tropical island and it doesn’t take her long to realise that she is completely alone. She must spend her days not only surviving the elements. However, she must also fend off the malevolent force that comes out each night…
Reviews:
“Basically, Sweetheart has problems producing payoffs when it comes to relationships, backstories, and the overall outcome of the tête-à-tête anchoring the entire affair. Sweetheart still has it where it counts and that’s mainly in its monster. Producers correctly chose to not cut a corner in that department…” Culture Crypt
” …shows off the demanding physicality, heart, and intensity that is required of Clemons and she more than pulls it off. By the finale, it’s clear that Dillard may not have sky-high aims, but Sweetheart proves to be a contained, diverting creature feature that will get your heart rate pumping.” The Film Stage
“All the fights and scary nighttime scenes and horrific moments in Sweetheart are intense […] This film is as impressive of an introduction to a movie monster as The Predator or The Descent, evoking that same feeling of “holy sh*t this is cool” without stuffing more into the story or being forced to establish a franchise by the end.” First Showing
“A cracking little one-hander (mostly) that rations glimpses of its well-designed beastie expertly, the picture will please genre fans who don’t mind long stretches with no dialogue.” The Hollywood Reporter
“So much of the success of a creature feature comes down to the lead actor or actress selling the peril more than anything else, and Clemons does exactly that. It’s a really fun movie that’s both old-fashioned and progressive at the same time.” RogerEbert.com
“This is a small scale story with a short run time (it doesn’t even hit the 90-minute mark), and the film has very little clutter. The ending may be predictable and the monster corny looking, but Sweetheart manages enough thrills to keep things interesting.” Screen Zealots
“As a Blumhouse release, it’s not afraid to go for the occasional jump scare, but it’s also an ingenious affair, a no-nonsense monster movie that uses its limitations effectively and tells its story cinematically.” Vulture
Release:
Sweetheart will be available on Digital and On Demand on October 22nd 2019.
Filming locations:
Bounty Island, Fiji
Running time:
82 minutes
