Sweetness
The brief
Emma Higgins crafts a surprisingly grounded take on teenage obsession that avoids the usual romanticized nonsense about fixing broken artists. Kate Hallett nails the awkward intensity of a 16-year-old confronting the gap between fantasy and reality, while Justin Chatwin plays the washed-up musician with genuine pathetic energy rather than tortured-genius glamour. The film moves at a deliberate pace that lets you feel Rylee's growing discomfort as her hero worship crumbles, building to moments that are more uncomfortable than cathartic. Perfect for anyone who loved the messy reality checks in films like Eighth Grade or Lady Bird.
The verdict
If you appreciate uncomfortable coming-of-age stories that strip away romantic illusions about meeting your heroes, this is a smartly crafted gem that earns its 90% critical rating through authentic performances and deliberate pacing. If you prefer faster-moving films or need your teenage protagonists to have clear victories, the intentionally awkward tone and lack of easy resolution will likely frustrate you.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for introspective teens
- 👨👩👧👦 Parents of music-obsessed teens
- ⚠️ Avoid if triggered by addiction themes
Heads up
- Drug addiction and substance abuse (moderate)
- Adult manipulating minor (emotional) (moderate)
- Dysfunctional behavior and self-destruction (frequent)
Credits
- Director
- Emma Higgins
- Cast
- Justin Chatwin, Kate Hallett, Amanda Brugel, Steven Ogg, Erika Swayze, Herman Tømmeraas, Aya Furukawa
Official synopsis
When a chance encounter with her rockstar crush leads 16-year-old Rylee to discover that he's a dysfunctional
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Power Ballad (2026)
Both explore music industry darkness through young protagonists' shattered illusions.
Total runtime: 1h 33m + 1h 38m = 3h 11m
