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Sweetheart
2019 82 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.5
Horror
Director: J.D. Dillard
Trailers
Description
Jenn has washed ashore a small tropical island and it doesn’t take her long to realize she’s completely alone. She must spend her days not only surviving the elements, but must also fend off the malevolent force that comes out each night.
Starring
Kiersey Clemons
Actor
Emory Cohen
Actor
Hanna Mangan Lawrence
Actor
Awards
1 win & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
Sweetheart is a lean, survival-focused horror film that earns praise for its minimalist, dialogue-free approach to isolation. While the premise effectively blends character struggle with creature-feature elements, opinions divide on whether the low-budget execution succeeds in sustaining tension or if it ultimately feels underdeveloped.
| Acting | Kiersey Clemons delivers a compelling, anchor-like performance that sustains the film through its extensive dialogue-free sequences. | |
| Score | The electronic, retro-wave score successfully builds and maintains tension in an otherwise sparse environment. | |
| Runtime | The short 82-minute runtime is a point of contention: it keeps the film taut and efficient for some, while others find it prevents the narrative from fully exploring its themes or character arcs. | |
| Ending | The creature design and final act polarize viewers, with some finding the monster-centric conclusion disappointing or poorly staged compared to the grounded survival elements. | |
| Direction | The minimalist, low-budget direction manages to create an effective sense of isolation, though its reliance on obvious staging sometimes undermines immersion. |