Sweet Thing (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Film Movement
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
Sweet Thing Cast & Characters
Lana Rockwell leads the cast as Billie, with Nico Rockwell as Nico and Will Patton as Adam.
- Lana Rockwell as Billie
- Nico Rockwell as Nico
-
Will Patton as Adam - Steven Randazzo as Owen
Also Starring in Sweet Thing
· 3 more- Karyn Parsons Eve
- M.L. Josepher Beaux
- Jabari Watkins Malik
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).
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.
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Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 45%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
16 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Sweet Thing Box Office
Sweet Thing grossed $1,470 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$1.5K
- International
- $1.5K
Sweet Thing Awards & Nominations
Sweet Thing earned 1 award nomination, including Best Supporting Male at the Spirit Awards 2022.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best Supporting Male – Patton Oswalt
Sweet Thing Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Sweet Thing.
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?
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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