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Drama

Sweet Thing (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Sweet Thing (2021) movie poster

Sweet Thing is a 2021 drama starring Lana Rockwell as Billie, Nico Rockwell and Will Patton. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $1,470 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2022. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$1.5K
award nomination
1
Echo Score
76
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Sweet Thing (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sweet Thing About?

The premise of Sweet Thing without spoilers.

Billie, a 15-year-old, seeks guidance from the spirit of jazz icon Billie Holiday, who appears as her guardian angel. Alongside her 11-year-old brother Nico, she escapes the challenges of adolescence and parental rules. Together, they venture into the lesser-known areas of New Bedford, discovering a hidden world of boats, railway tracks, and unexpected encounters as they navigate growing up.

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Cast & crew

Sweet Thing Cast & Characters

Lana Rockwell leads the cast as Billie, with Nico Rockwell as Nico and Will Patton as Adam.

Also Starring in Sweet Thing

· 3 more
Ratings

Sweet Thing Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sweet Thing 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in story & flow (68).

76 /100

Sweet Thing Echo Score Breakdown

Sweet Thing registers as a largely affirmative indie effort, buoyed by resonant performances and an earnest visual approach. Critics highlight its heartfelt coming‑of‑age narrative, inventive black‑and‑white cinematography, and moments of musical poignancy, while noting occasional pacing dips and an old‑fashioned tone that undercuts modern grit. The consensus appreciates its optimism and emotional core despite structural unevenness, resulting in a respectable overall appraisal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays a distinctive visual style and purposeful composition. Reviewers commend the creative black‑and‑white shooting, energetic framing, and texture‑rich set pieces that echo independent cinema traditions. Some criticism points to an old‑fashioned aesthetic that does not fully align with contemporary expectations. Overall, the craftsmanship is viewed as solid and inventive, supporting the film’s artistic intentions.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are consistently praised for their nuance and depth. Critics describe the acting as excellent and emotionally resonant, drawing comparisons to the impact of The Florida Project. A few notes mention occasional naïveté in the film’s optimism, yet the central ensemble succeeds in delivering a touching portrait of youthful resilience. The character work therefore remains a notable strength.

  • Story & Flow 68

    The story and flow receive mixed assessments, balancing a heartfelt coming‑of‑age premise with structural concerns. Positive remarks focus on the film’s lively, bittersweet meditation on poverty and its memorable narrative moments. Conversely, some critics observe a reluctance to fully engage thematic material and a pacing lag in the early hour. Consequently, the plot is seen as engaging but uneven, reflecting a moderate overall impression.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    Sensory experience is highlighted through effective use of music and visual texture. Reviewers note the powerful soundtrack cues, the evocative black‑and‑white palette, and the film’s ability to evoke everyday textures that enrich the viewing. While the auditory and visual elements are generally praised, a few find the overall sensory package sometimes overly nostalgic. The sensory design thus contributes positively, reinforcing the film’s emotional tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch factor is rated highly due to the film’s lingering emotional resonance and memorable moments. Critics describe Sweet Thing as charming, optimistic, and possessing a lasting appeal that encourages repeat viewings. Even the solitary user review acknowledges a hopeful conclusion and worthwhile watch. Though not universally flawless, the film’s thematic depth and visual style foster a desire to revisit, marking it as a strong rewatch candidate.

Box office

Sweet Thing Box Office

Sweet Thing grossed $1,470 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.5K

International
$1.5K
Awards

Sweet Thing Awards & Nominations

Sweet Thing earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2022.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Sweet Thing Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Sweet Thing.

Official Trailer
Details

Sweet Thing Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Streuner und Banditen” and “愛しい存在”.

Also known as
  • Streuner und Banditen
  • 愛しい存在
  • 甜蜜的事
  • Сладкая жизнь
  • Sweet Thing - Infância à Deriva
  • Słodkie rzeczy
  • Sladké dětství
  • 달콤씁쓸한
  • Lucruri bune

Seen Sweet Thing?

FAQ

Sweet Thing FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Sweet Thing, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sweet Thing?

Sweet Thing runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Sweet Thing released?

Sweet Thing was released on June 18, 2021.

Who is in the cast of Sweet Thing?

Sweet Thing stars Lana Rockwell as Billie, Nico Rockwell as Nico and Will Patton as Adam, among 7 credited actors.

How much did Sweet Thing make at the box office?

Sweet Thing grossed $1,470 worldwide.

How is Sweet Thing rated?

Sweet Thing has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Sweet Thing nominated for any awards?

Sweet Thing received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Sweet Thing have a post-credit scene?

No. Sweet Thing has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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