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Sci-fi thriller

Sweetheart (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Sweetheart (2019) movie poster

Sweetheart is a 2019 sci-fi thriller directed by J.D. Dillard, starring Kiersey Clemons as Jenn, Emory Cohen and Hanna Mangan Lawrence. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes and earned $4.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$4.7M
Echo Score
65
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Sweetheart (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 22m (82 min)
Director
J.D. Dillard
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sweetheart About?

The premise of Sweetheart without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a summer vacation at a seaside resort, AJ finds herself drawn to the mysterious lifeguard Isla. Their connection sparks a passionate and complicated relationship, set against the backdrop of family dynamics and long-held secrets. As AJ explores her desires and confronts her loyalties, she discovers unexpected truths about her family and herself, leading to a heartwarming and thrilling journey of self-discovery.

Sweetheart Themes & Keywords

· 46 tags
  • desert island
  • tropical island
  • stranded on an island
  • sea monster
  • setting a trap
  • half eaten corpse
  • ocean predator
  • scepticism
  • giant monster
  • aquatic humanoid
  • calling someone a liar
  • female protagonist
+34 more
  • humanoid monster
  • survival horror
  • bloody knife
  • friends turn on one another
  • betrayed by friend
  • group of friends
  • decapitation
  • woman versus monster
  • human versus monster
  • stalked by a monster
  • man eating monster
  • blood
  • monster killed
  • severely wounded
  • escape in a boat
  • flare gun
  • pulled under water
  • friend murders friend
  • betrayed by boyfriend
  • infighting
  • keeping diary
  • gravesite
  • sinking boat
  • two legged monster
  • reference to the predator
  • fishman
  • survival technique
  • heroine
  • survival
  • camouflage
  • cat and mouse game
  • vacation gone wrong
  • island adventure
  • reference to the creature from the black lagoon
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Cast & crew

Sweetheart Cast & Characters

Kiersey Clemons leads the cast as Jenn, with Emory Cohen as Lucas and Hanna Mangan Lawrence as Mia. Directed by J.D. Dillard; 5 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sweetheart

· 1 more
From the director

More from J.D. Dillard

More films directed by J.D. Dillard, best-rated first: Sleight and Devotion.

Full filmography
Ratings

Sweetheart Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sweetheart 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

65 /100

Sweetheart Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film delivers a mixture of strengths and shortcomings that yield a moderately engaging experience. The direction and cinematography produce several suspenseful sequences, while the lead performance infuses emotional integrity. However, visual inconsistencies, including creature design and low-light photography, combine with uneven pacing and sparse narrative development to limit lasting impact. Although elements of originality and resourceful minimalism are present, the film’s uneven execution ultimately tempers its overall effectiveness.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film delivers tense sequences with a believable atmosphere. However, some creature effects exhibit low-budget characteristics and the predominantly dark nighttime photography can obscure key moments. This mixture yields a visually uneven experience that balances suspenseful framing against occasional confusion.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to acting, the lead performance stands out with a commanding presence and emotional nuance. Supporting characters are less developed, creating an imbalance in on-screen dynamics. Chemistry fluctuates as prolonged silent segments limit relational depth. Overall, the character work is anchored by a strong central portrayal but suffers from inconsistent ensemble contributions.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of plot coherence, the narrative offers a clear premise but engages in extended stretches of minimal action that impede momentum. Pacing oscillates between gripping confrontations and languid interim scenes, resulting in a dip in engagement. While the premise retains a measure of originality, repetitive beats and occasional confusion dilute overall narrative drive.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding sensory experience, the sound design and score effectively heighten suspense during tense sequences. Visual style supports an immersive atmosphere, yet low-budget creature effects and overly dark cinematography undermine clarity. The audio elements consistently bolster mood, contrasting with visual inconsistencies that occasionally disrupt immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Concerning rewatch factor, the film’s concise premise and select intense moments offer limited new discoveries upon repeat viewings. While the central performance retains appeal, narrative gaps and uneven visual elements reduce incentive for subsequent viewings. As a result, the movie offers modest replay value grounded mainly in its lead’s portrayal rather than broader narrative or stylistic depth.

Plot

Sweetheart Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Sweetheart from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jennifer Remming, known as Jenn, embarks on a perilous ocean adventure alongside her boyfriend, Lucas Griffin, her friend Mia Reed, and two unfamiliar faces, Brad and Zach. Their journey takes a calamitous turn when a violent storm devastates their boat, leaving Jenn stranded on a desolate island. She discovers that Brad also washed ashore, but tragically dies from his injuries. Jenn buries him, only to find his grave disturbed and his body missing the very next day.

Full summary

The whole story of Sweetheart, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Sweetheart Box Office

Sweetheart grossed $4.7 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.7M

International
$4.7M
Videos

Sweetheart Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Clip You Are Gonna Freak Out When You Spot It - Sweetheart Film - Blumhouse
  • Featurette Kelli Weston recommends Sweetheart | BFI In Dreams Are Monsters
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Sweetheart?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Jennifer Remming's boyfriend?

Details

Sweetheart Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Creature from the Black Lagoon” and “השורדת היחידה”.

Also known as
  • Creature from the Black Lagoon
  • השורדת היחידה
  • Sweetheart.
  • 스윗하트
  • Édesem
  • Милая
  • 荒岛甜心
  • Скъпа
  • Adadaki Dehşet
  • O Mistério da Ilha
  • Đảo Quái Vật
  • Wyspa przetrwania
+2 more
  • Кохана
  • Draga de ea

Seen Sweetheart?

FAQ

Sweetheart FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Sweetheart?

Sweetheart runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).

When was Sweetheart released?

Sweetheart was released on October 22, 2019.

Who directed Sweetheart?

Sweetheart was directed by J.D. Dillard.

More films by J.D. Dillard

Who is in the cast of Sweetheart?

Sweetheart stars Kiersey Clemons as Jenn, Emory Cohen as Lucas and Hanna Mangan Lawrence as Mia, among 5 credited actors.

How much did Sweetheart make at the box office?

Sweetheart grossed $4.7 million worldwide.

How is Sweetheart rated?

Sweetheart has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Sweetheart have a post-credit scene?

No. Sweetheart has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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