Photo courtesy of Saban Films
Written by: TiShea Wilson, Managing Editor
There’s a moment early in Sweetness where you think you understand exactly what kind of story you’re watching. A teenage superfan meets her favorite rock star, sees the cracks in his carefully curated image, and decides she’s the one who can fix him. It feels familiar, almost comforting in its setup.
And then Sweetness pulls the rug out from under you with breathtaking force.
Directed by Emma Higgins, this thriller quickly abandons any sense of predictability, spiraling into a tense, deeply uncomfortable exploration of obsession, control, and the dangerous illusion of intimacy between fans and the people they idolize. What begins as admiration morphs into something far more volatile, forcing both its characters and its audience into increasingly suffocating territory.
At the center of it all is Herman Tømmeraas, who delivers a raw and emotionally taxing performance as Payton, a rock star unraveling behind the scenes. Payton isn’t your typical larger than life musician archetype. He’s messy, fragile, and at times frustratingly self-destructive. Tømmeraas leans fully into those contradictions, giving us a character who feels painfully human even at his worst.
Equally compelling, and arguably even more unsettling, is Kate Hallett as Rylee. Hallett’s performance is nothing short of haunting. She walks a razor-thin line between vulnerability and menace, creating a character who is as sympathetic as she is deeply disturbing. What makes her portrayal so effective is how grounded it feels. Rylee doesn’t come across as a caricature of obsession, but as someone who genuinely believes she’s doing the right thing. That sincerity makes her actions all the more chilling.
Much of the film’s emotional weight is carried in the claustrophobic scenes between Payton and Rylee. Together, Tømmeraas and Hallett create a volatile, unpredictable dynamic that becomes the film’s heartbeat. A push and pull of desperation, control, and shifting power. The tension doesn’t just build in this story. It tightens, scene by scene, until it’s almost unbearable. What makes Sweetness stand out is its refusal to romanticize any part of its premise. This isn’t a story about saving someone. It’s about the danger of believing you can.
The film also taps into something incredibly relevant. The rise of parasocial relationships in modern fandom. In a world where fans feel closer than ever to celebrities through social media, Sweetness asks an unsettling question: What happens when that perceived connection goes too far? The answer, as the film suggests, isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s absolutely terrifying.
Visually, the film leans into its intimacy. Tight framing and dimly lit spaces amplify the sense of entrapment, particularly in the film’s most intense sequences. There’s no escape for the characters, and by extension, no escape for the audience either. By the time the final act hits, Sweetness has fully shed any illusion of safety. It’s intense, chaotic, and emotionally captivating in a way that lingers long after the credits roll. The ending doesn’t hand you easy answers tied up in a pretty package. It leaves you sitting with everything you’ve just witnessed, forcing you to process it on your own terms.
That won’t be for everyone, but for those willing to go along for the ride, Sweetness offers a bold, unsettling experience that sticks with you. If you’re into psychological thrillers that keep you hanging onto the edge of your seat, this one is definitely a must watch. Check it out now on digital and demand.
As part of our coverage, Nerd Alert News recently had the opportunity to speak with Herman Tømmeraas about his role as Payton, the challenges of bringing such a complex character to life, and the emotional toll of the film’s most intense moments. Stay tuned for the full interview, coming soon.
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