Twisted Revenge Thriller Sweetpea Will Delight Fans of Bad Sisters and Dead to Me

As a movie critic who has spent decades navigating the treacherous waters of small-town dramas and revenge thrillers, I must say that “Sweetpea” is a deliciously dark delight that manages to turn the tables on the classic bully narrative in ways both unexpected and satisfying.

Ponder over the behavior of a schoolyard tormentor. This individual derives pleasure from humiliating and intimidating others, causing physical and emotional distress. Often, they manage to manipulate their actions to escape any formidable punishment, even detention. People are often reassured that these bullies are merely basking in their glory days in the locker room, destined for a future of misery. However, what happens when the victim grows up, finds herself trapped in the confines of the very town that shunned her as a teenager, stuck in a disheartening job, witnessing her family crumble, all while her bully continues to prosper and worsen her predicament?

As I, a dedicated cinephile, delve into the gripping narrative of ‘Sweetpea’, a captivating blend of suspense and wit in the dark, British thriller genre, I find myself immersed in the complex world of Rhiannon Lewis. Portrayed with raw emotion by Ella Purnell, this emerging talent has graced our screens in shows like ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘Fallout’. In her current role as a receptionist at a local newspaper, she’s so unnoticed that her boss casually uses her as a coat rack upon entering the office. Her aspirations for the junior reporter position are met with laughter rather than encouragement.

The opening scenes of Sweetpea feature a voiceover by Purnell, detailing individuals whom Rhiannon desires revenge against and the reasons why. Among them is Julia, who was criticized for not living up to school bullies’ expectations. Instead of standing out academically like bullies are supposed to, Julia endured constant bullying, which caused Rhiannon so much anxiety that she would pull out her own hair and eventually wear a wig. Tragically, at a school dance, Julia snatched off Rhiannon’s wig.

Rhiannon’s actions, even the slightest provocation could send her over the edge, leading to a violent outburst. Her initial murder, driven by anger misplaced, propels the incident into headlines and leaves her juggling two tasks: concealing her involvement and demonstrating her worth for a promotion by reporting on the crime itself. Unexpectedly, Rhiannon experiences a transformation. Through cunning, manipulation, and indeed, homicides, she develops a semblance of self-worth. She asserts herself in the workplace and captivates a former employee of her father’s (Jon Pointing), while subtly being courted by a witty colleague (Calam Lynch) who might be more compatible. When an overly spread-out man invades her personal space on a bus, she gently touches his leg, watches him flinch, and says playfully: “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I make you uneasy?

Titled as a “growing-with-anger narrative,” Sweetpea is adapted from the novel by C.J. Skuse and delves into the character of Rhiannon, who, scarred by a dismal youth, resorts to an appalling act in a bid for control over a life where she has always felt powerless. In a captivating portrayal that blends fierceness, fragility, and eccentricity, Purnell embodies a character starkly contrasting her Yellowjackets persona—a prom queen-like figure who struggles to adapt to the harsh realities of a savage wilderness. As our empathy for Rhiannon deepens, her violent acts become cathartic, instilling unease in our enjoyment that escalates, without diminishing the show’s entertainment value, as her killing spree unfolds across the six-episode season.

As Julia nears the sale of her house, the dynamic between the assertive and the oppressed begins to change. Rhiannon believes she’s transforming her victimhood into bravery, aiming to eliminate those who intimidate, belittle, or mistreat others. However, Julia presents a contrasting view. “You’re not a victim,” she retorts sarcastically, “You’re a pathetic loser who blames everyone else for your miserable life.” Is it fair to blame Julia for Rhiannon’s failure to move past her awkward phase? And is Rhiannon truly privy to the details of Julia’s life, given their limited interactions and observations from afar? It seems that the labels of ‘victim’ and ‘bully’ may not always be distinct. Aggression often repeats itself. There’s a kernel of truth in the saying, “hurt people, hurt people.

These concepts might seem pedantic in written form, but they don’t feel that way on-screen. Despite its thoughtfulness, Sweetpea is electrifying like a twisted revenge thriller, making it perfect for fans of Dead to Me or Bad Sisters, or anyone else seeking a binge-worthy spooky-season watch with intricate characters, witty humor, and moral depth beyond the typical Ryan Murphy horror extravaganza. Although its initial setup has some familiar aspects, the show truly shines after a few episodes, as Purnell and Lecky have more screentime together, and a character who shares Rhiannon’s outsider view (Leah Harvey’s Marina) begins probing into the murders.

The season culminates in one of the best cliffhanger finales I’ve seen in a while. Rich fodder for the even crazier second season I hope we’ll get to see, it’s also a reality check on our affinity for a budding serial killer posing as a cub reporter (or is it the other way around?). In getting viewers on Rhiannon’s side early, Sweetpea finds a bountiful source of suspense in the question of whether we’re watching the blossoming of a wallflower or the making of a monster.

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2024-10-11 00:06