★ 6 / 10
This movie is very well made and looks
Sierbahnn
This movie is very well made and looks good enough, certainly, but there are elements to its plot and presentation that drags the score down somewhat for me. I…
This movie is very well made and looks good enough, certainly, but there are elements to its plot and presentation that drags the score down somewhat for me. I think that it wants to be both a social commentary on the predatory nature of powerful men against young women, but then strays into supernatural qualities and finally biblical ones, and I'm not sure that that journey is warranted. If it had settled into one of the three, it might have pulled off a better presentation overall, but now I was left feeling as though the movie wasn't internally quite as consistent as it could have been. It is well casted and well acted. The director does a very solid job, but the writing leaves something to be desired when it comes to consistency. It's still a fun movie, and I do recommend that you watch it.
★ 7 / 10
Thanks to a recent surge in female-driven horror
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots
Thanks to a recent surge in female-driven horror, the concept of women in genre films no longer feels like a novelty. So when a director chooses to make a…
Thanks to a recent surge in female-driven horror, the concept of women in genre films no longer feels like a novelty. So when a director chooses to make a scary film that’s centered around the female experience, it better be daring and disruptive. Such is the case with “Run Sweetheart Run,” a wild, twisted tale of female empowerment that is as political as it is terrifying.
After a bad breakup, hardworking single mother Cherie (Ella Balinska) is set up on a blind date with the handsome Ethan (Pilou Asbæk). He’s sophisticated, magnetic, and ever the charmer. When Cherie agrees to return to his house for an after-dinner nightcap, Ethan brutally attacks her. She manages to escape the grasp of this lethal predator, but only temporarily. Alone on the streets of Los Angeles with a torn dress covered in blood and without a cell phone or shoes, bystanders refuse to help because they assume she’s a junkie. But once the police finally arrive, it becomes clear that Ethan is very connected and everyone is against her. Turns out her date is a hunter, and he delights in spending the rest of the evening stalking his female prey.
Writer – director Shana Feste has created a literal date from hell scenario. Cherie is already creeped out by an unsettling Uber ride on the way to her date, and things get worse from there. It’s a story that will resonate with many women, as Feste accurately captures what many single ladies would deem their worst nightmare. It raises the “what would I do in this situation?” question as the leading lady calls on all of her will, ingenuity, and intellect to survive.
This story confronts toxic masculinity head-on like an atomic bomb full of social and political horror. There is a not-so-subtle, chilling commentary about people of color, particularly when it comes to minority women who are assaulted. It’s repeated that “nobody cares” about women like Cherie because people like her don’t matter when they go missing — and their police cases are shuffled to the bottom of the pile.
The commentary on rape culture and gender politics is strong too, especially because Ethan is a dominant male who thinks he’s in control. He snarls how he must “keep girls like you in their place,” even blaming Cherie for his predatory behavior because she dressed too sexily for a first date.
The end result is violent and bloody, but Feste’s choice not to show the worst of the violence onscreen may disappoint hardcore fans of the genre. But it’s scarier because of what you don’t see than it being necessary to show a man brutally attacking a woman. The sounds alone are chilling, and it’s just as horrifying (if not more so) to hear the attacks rather than witness them.
The film takes a sobering walk along patriarchy and gender lines, but it evolves into an empowering tale of a strong, badass heroine who refuses to be a victim and fights back. The story is simple and not particularly memorable, but the themes are where this film shines. Everything, down to the smallest details, are steeped in a deeply critical and political view of modern society. In a moment of blink-or-you’ll-miss-it cleverness, the gritty landscape of L.A. is dotted with inappropriate, sexist billboards that convey the hurdles (and minor horrors) females face in everyday life.
“Run Sweetheart Run” is a liberating, spirited, and inspiring thriller that will resonate with women everywhere. Power to the people, but especially the ladies.
★ 7 / 10
Ella Balinska keeps things moving despite poor third act
adotson-98233
Run Sweetheart Run has a very simple concept, that works thanks to a great lead performance and an entertaining first two acts. Unfortunately it doesn't fully…
Run Sweetheart Run has a very simple concept, that works thanks to a great lead performance and an entertaining first two acts. Unfortunately it doesn't fully stick the landing.The positives of this movie, of course Ella Balinska is great. She is easily the best part about this movie and did a really nice job. Pilou Asbæk was also pretty good as the villain. The movie is very well directed with some nice cinematography. There's some nice stylistic choices that give the movie a kinda fun feel. It's very fast paced and once the movie starts, it never really stops. Its constantly entertaining from start to finish which made this movie a fun watch.However this film suffers from its final 20 minutes. It completely shifts into something quite ridiculous, and it almost steered away the first two acts. It suddenly tries to bash you with this message in the final act that just kinda felt a little too much. And finally I felt that the film had too many scenes of 4th wall breaking. It felt very strange and rather distracting.Overall despite a disappointing final act, and strange stylistic choices, Run Sweetheart Run is a fun movie elevated by a great lead performance, fast pacing, and good directing.
62%
TOMATOMETER
· 53 reviews
64%
AUDIENCE
· 250 ratings
5.5/10
9.6K
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Story not original, but movie is ok to watch! 5.3 rating from over thousand + people shows this!