A Women Fights to Survive in the Brutally Violent RUN SWEETHEART RUN - Sundance Review
A hard-working single mother named Shari, who just broke free from a bad relationship, is set up by her boss on a date with a client of his. She’s very excited, and he very charming. It seems like everything is clicking between the two and it’s the beginning of what looks like a wonderful relationship. That is, until, he invites her into his home and tries to kill her!
Shari ends up escaping the violent attack and goes on the run, as this monster of a man hunts her down like Pepe Le Pew, only he wants to violently kill her instead of shower her with kisses.
This is the basic premise for a new horror thriller from Sundance titled Run Sweetheart Run. I actually really enjoyed this film because of the unexpected way the story played out. I won’t spoil anything for you, but as Shari embarks on an insane journey of survival, she learns that the man that is after her is more dangerous and sinister that she ever thought possible.
The movie stars Ella Balinska from the new Charlie’s Angels movie, except she is freakin’ badass in this movie! Don’t judge her off Charlie’s Angels, she’s a super talented actress, and Run Sweetheart Run proves it. I was impressed with her performance, and I hope that she takes more strong roles like this in the future.
The movie was very creative in how the elements of the story that were introduced early in the film played out over the course of the movie. The script and story were sharp, and it was filled with violence, blood, and gory action. So if you enjoy that kind of stuff, you’ll love the movie.
The film was also filled with female empowerment themes, and while I know some people will roll their eyes at that, this film plays with those themes in fun and unique ways. The film had the audience cringing and the theater filled with laughs and sounds of shocks and thrills.
I really don’t want to give too much away because this film is coming from Blumhouse, and people are going to see it. So, I’ll let those people enjoy the crazy nightmarish ride that it takes the audience on.
Here’s the synopsis:
Timid and hardworking single mother Shari (Ella Balinska, Charlie’s Angels) brushes away hesitations and decides to dip her toe back into the dating scene after being spurred on by her coworkers. She’s thrilled when her boss sets her up on a blind date with Ethan (Pilou Asbæk, Game of Thrones), who initially proves every bit as charming and magnetic as his photo. Ethan can’t hide his true nature for very long though—and when things quickly turn sinister, Shari must find a way to escape. Forced to navigate the streets of LA after hours on foot, Shari learns Ethan is far more connected and violent than she ever imagined.
Writer-director Shana Feste (The Greatest, 2009 Sundance Film Festival) returns to the Festival with a twisted, daring horror film that blazes its own trail, unafraid to shatter expectations as it invites audiences to descend into a traumatizing, blood-riddled nightmare. Balinska picks up speed as a woman who discovers that her ingenuity and sheer determination to survive may just make her a match for the worst evil the patriarchy can muster.
