Sweet River (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Sweet River is a 2020 mystery horror film directed by Justin McMillan, starring Chris Haywood as Nigel, Geneviève Lemon and Sam Parsonson. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $3,365 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 57/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Justin McMillan
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- ACM Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sweet River About?
The premise of Sweet River without spoilers.
Driven by a mother's unwavering love, Hannah embarks on a desperate search for her missing son's body. Her journey leads her to the quiet town of Billins, where she uncovers unsettling secrets and disturbing truths. As she investigates, Hannah discovers a darkness hidden beneath the town's peaceful facade, a darkness that some will protect at any cost, even if it means silencing her.
Sweet River Themes & Keywords
· 3 tags- love
- small town
- town with a dark secret
Sweet River Cast & Characters
Chris Haywood leads the cast as Nigel, with Geneviève Lemon as Elenor Drake and Sam Parsonson as Troy. Directed by Justin McMillan; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Justin McMillan
-
Chris Haywood as Nigel -
Geneviève Lemon as Elenor Drake -
Sam Parsonson as Troy - Eddie Baroo as Tom Evans
Also Starring in Sweet River
· 9 more- Rob Carlton Wilkins
- Jack Ellis Lenny Simpkin
- Martin Sacks John Drake
- Lisa Kay Hanna
- Charlotte Stent Violet
- Bryan Probets Clayton
- Jayden McGinlay Max
- Jeremy Waters James Lipton
- Cymone Rose Meditation Voice (voice)
More from Justin McMillan
One more film directed by Justin McMillan: Storm Surfers 3D.
Sweet River Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).
Sweet River Echo Score Breakdown
Sweet River delivers a measured, melancholic ghost story that emphasizes grief over conventional scares. While the cinematography and performances receive regular commendation, the narrative is hampered by uneven pacing and a script that often feels meandering. Viewers seeking a tightly plotted horror experience may find the film underwhelming, though its atmospheric qualities may appeal to those who appreciate slow‑burn dramas. The mixed reception results in an overall moderate score.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
Regarding direction and visual craft, the film showcases a somber palette that highlights the rural setting, and several reviewers commend its measured pacing and effective framing. However, criticisms of editing inconsistencies and occasional disjointed scene transitions suggest the technical execution is uneven.
- Character & Emotion 70
In terms of performances, the ensemble is generally praised for delivering nuanced, emotionally resonant portrayals, particularly the lead’s depiction of maternal grief. Despite this, some reviewers note the child actors appear unconvincing, which slightly detracts from the overall character credibility.
- Story & Flow 50
The narrative aims for a slow‑burn mystery centered on loss, but many find the screenplay uneven, with pacing that drags and a climax that feels anticlimactic. While the premise is compelling, the execution often leaves viewers uncertain about plot progression.
- Sensory Experience 62
The film’s sound design and score subtly underscore the eerie riverine atmosphere, and the cinematography captures the stark, foreboding landscape effectively. Nevertheless, some critics mention tonal mismatches between early promotional material and the restrained visual style, slightly weakening immersive consistency.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Given its deliberate pacing and emphasis on mood over scares, the movie may appeal to audiences who enjoy contemplative horror, yet its slow tempo and lack of conventional thrills reduce the incentive for repeat viewings. Consequently, its rewatch value is modest.
Sweet River Box Office
Sweet River grossed $3,365 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$3.4K
- International
- $3.4K
Sweet River Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Sweet River.
Cars in Sweet River
1 car on screen: the 1985 Volvo 240.
-
1985 Volvo 240 Main role
Sweet River Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Сладкая река” and “스위트 리버”.
- Also known as
-
- Сладкая река
- 스위트 리버
- 甜蜜河
- 屍蹤兒童
- Derin Nehir
Seen Sweet River?
Movies Like Sweet River
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Lost River, Sweet Evil and Dark River.
Sweet River FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Sweet River, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sweet River?
Sweet River runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Sweet River released?
Sweet River was released on December 5, 2020.
Who directed Sweet River?
Sweet River was directed by Justin McMillan.
More films by Justin McMillan Who is in the cast of Sweet River?
Sweet River stars Chris Haywood as Nigel, Geneviève Lemon as Elenor Drake and Sam Parsonson as Troy, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Sweet River make at the box office?
Sweet River grossed $3,365 worldwide.
Does Sweet River have a post-credit scene?
No. Sweet River has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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