"Sweet Relief" — An Inept Indie Thriller That Leaves You Sighing with Relief Once It’s Over
Introduction to Indie Thrills
Indie films are often a mixed bag, where creativity clashes with budget constraints. Yet, it’s sometimes difficult to differentiate between cast and crew, especially on low-budget sets. This notion was starkly highlighted during my viewing of “Sweet Relief,” a film that struggles to engage and ultimately leaves viewers feeling like they’ve survived a bad horror game.
The Premise: A Broken Pact
Set in the seemingly forgotten town of Amherst, Massachusetts, “Sweet Relief” dives into a peculiar social media challenge. Teenagers play a game where they innocently (yet chillingly) select people they wish were dead, only to face dire consequences if they fail to follow through. What could go wrong, right?
Characters: The Unsung Heroes
The central players—Hannah, Lily, and Corey (portrayed by Lucie Rosenfeld, Jocelyn Lopez, and Catie Dupont)—make a pact involving the likes of a bothersome babysitter and an ex-boyfriend. But the film quickly devolves into a chaotic narrative that sees these characters being overshadowed by an even more bewildering cast, including:
- Adam Michael Kozak as Hannah’s frustrated brother
- Alisa Leigh as his live-in nurse girlfriend
- B.R. Yeager as an ineffectual cop
As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the film’s direction suffers from poor casting choices and lackluster performance.
A Messy Execution
While there are a few decent moments in the third act, they arrive far too late to salvage the film from its uninspiring first two-thirds. The pacing and dialogue oscillate between clumsy and almost unbearable, making any form of investment in the characters an uphill battle.
Key issues include:
- Underwhelming Plot: The storyline is jumbled and loses focus, much like its characters.
- Mismatched Tone: The score often feels more like awkward Muzak than a fitting backdrop for a horror thriller.
The Visuals and Performances
As for the visuals, it’s evident that the filmmakers may have been more focused on camaraderie than crafting a cohesive film. The costumes resemble a collection of friends’ wardrobe blunders, raising the question of whether the cast was also part of the crew. A standout moment, if you can call it that, might be seeing Kozak donning a hat from the horror anthology “VHS”, likely aiming for a nod to cinephiles that misses the mark entirely.
The Final Act: A Lackluster Ending
Despite a couple of engaging sequences in the latter half, the film fails to keep viewers invested. The chaotic interactions often overshadow meaningful developments, leading to a conclusion that leaves you wondering what it all was for.
Conclusion: Was It Worth the Watch?
In the end, watching “Sweet Relief” becomes a test of endurance rather than entertainment. Its two-star rating reflects its attempt at horror but ultimately succumbs to the pitfalls of independent filmmaking.
Technical Details
- Rating: Unrated (contains graphic violence, profanity, alcohol abuse, drug content)
- Cast: Alisa Leigh, B.R. Yeager, Jocelyn Lopez, Lucie Rosenfeld, Adam Michael Kozak, Catie Dupont, Gianni Passiglia, Jane Karakula, Paul Lazar
- Director/Writer: Nick Verdi
- Running Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
If you’re looking for something new to watch, consider passing on this one and waiting for a more polished indie experience. You’ll likely feel a sweet relief when it ends.
For enthusiasts of independent cinema, dive into a realm of better productions at platforms like Film Independent or check out other reviews on Rotten Tomatoes to find your next viewing adventure.
