The film industry is buzzing with news of the latest teen thriller to hit the scene, ‘Sweetness’, featuring Women Talking breakout star Kate Hallett and the charismatic Herman Tømmeraas, known for his role in the hit show Ragnarok. Under the direction of Emma Higgins, who is making her debut feature as both writer and director, filming is set to start next month in North Bay, Ontario.
The narrative thrust of ‘Sweetness’ revolves around 16-year-old Rylee Baker, portrayed by Kate Hallett, whose seemingly fateful meeting with her idol, the famous pop star Payton Adler (played by Herman Tømmeraas), exposes a grim underworld of addiction and dysfunction. When Rylee decides to help Payton, her intentions, initially pure-hearted and supportive, devolve into a harrowing odyssey where youthful aspirations crash against grim realities.
The pairing of Hallett and Tømmeraas promises a compelling dynamic. Hallett, on the heels of her applauded performance in ‘Women Talking’, brings a depth and vulnerability to Rylee that is essential for the audience to connect with the character’s journey. Tømmeraas, whose portrayal of a rebellious god in ‘Ragnarok’ won him international recognition, seems primed to present a darker, more intricate facet of his acting range in depicting the charismatic yet troubled Payton Adler.
Emma Higgins, while new to the feature film space, enters not without her credentials forged in the fires of her love for horror. Higgins intends to draw the audience into an uncomfortable space that mirrors the haunted shades of her adolescence. Her promise is to deliver a teen thriller that doesn’t shy away from the darker notes of its genre, promising an unsettling experience for viewers.
The excitement surrounding ‘Sweetness’ is further amplified by the presence of an exceptional supporting cast, featuring Aya Furukawa, Amanda Brugel, and Steven Ogg, the latter being recognized for his compelling work on ‘The Walking Dead’. Their involvement rounds out what looks to be a diverse and talented ensemble.
An equally impressive team leads the production, coming from Fela and When We Were Kids Entertainment. Producers Taj Critchlow and Daniel Quinn are at the forefront, marking Fela’s bold foray into the world of feature films, following an impressive repertoire in music video production working with industry titans such as Drake, Rihanna, and Kendrick Lamar. Such a transition is anticipated with great expectations, given the shift from one dynamic visual medium to another which they hope will translate into successful cinematic storytelling.
The anticipation for ‘Sweetness’ doesn’t rest solely on the cast and director alone. The production promises to employ cutting-edge filmmaking techniques and imaginative visual storytelling that will not only connect with teenagers but also resonate with adult audiences. The film seeks to explore the complicated web of fame and the personal pitfalls that oftentimes accompany it, presenting a timely narrative in age where celebrity culture and social media are omnipresent.
As we await the release of what might be the next big thing in teen thrillers, one thing is certain: Hallett and Tømmeraas are about to deliver performances that may very well redefine their careers and set a new bar for the genre. With production slated to begin soon, audiences can only hold their breath in anticipation for the sweet yet haunting taste that ‘Sweetness’ promises to deliver.
