RUN SWEETHEART RUN on Prime Video is a new horror thriller. It’s a survival story with absolutely perfect casting. Also, there’s lots of girl power while it’s still highlighting good men. Read our full Run Sweetheart Run movie review here!

RUN SWEETHEART RUN is a new Prime Video horror thriller. This is one of those movies that have been in limbo for years due to the pandemic. It originally premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January 2020. Now, it’s finally reaching a wider audience and I was so ready for this.

This is a survival story that doesn’t indulge in showing violence, but rather shows the results of violence. It actually makes a point of saying “Nope, this is not for you to see!” which was a great twist on the classic survival or revenge story. Usually, we have to endure lots of explicit scenes first.

Continue reading our Run Sweetheart Run movie review below. It’s on Prime Video from October 28, 2022.

Ella Balinska and Pilou Asbæk are awesome!

Ella Balinska and Pilou Asbæk play the all-important lead characters. One trying to survive and the other trying to kill. However, it starts out very differently, when Ethan (Pilou Asbæk) is the most charming and enigmatic man. Gaslighting galore, it turns out, as he suddenly becomes very violent.

And this begins just as you see in the trailer; They arrive back at his house for one last drink, but when the camera goes to follow them in, he turns around and puts up his hand: Stop, this is not for you to see!

Such a bold and strong move. Breaking the fourth wall in such a direct way. Pilou Asbæk is the kind of actor who can pull this off, which is why it works so damn well. This is a move that happens more than once. Sometimes even grabbing the camera and turning it away. I cannot tell you how much I loved this!

MORE WITH PILOU ASBÆK

You have got to check out the WWII Zombie Horror Movie Overlord here >

Besides, the worst kind of horror is just hearing something happening and being forced to have images appear in your mind. Well, to me, anyway! I’ve seen enough horror movies to have a huge catalog of imagery to pick and choose from.

This is exactly why we don’t need to add to that with Run Sweetheart Run.

As the woman fighting for her life, we see Ella Balinska (Charlie’s Angels, Resident Evil on Netflix) and she delivers a powerful portrayal here. A woman fighting for herself, her daughter, and everyone else around her.

And again, while Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones) portrays the stereotypical bad guy, we do also meet wonderful men. And cowards as well – male and female. As well as those who want to help, but may not have the courage to follow through. There’s room enough in Run Sweetheart Run to show it all.

Some of the amazing supporting characters are also portrayed by familiar faces. These include the amazing Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse) with that awesome voice of hers, Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.LD.), and Dayo Okeniyi (Fresh).

Run Sweetheart Run – Review | Prime Horror Movie

Get ready for lots of tampons

Run Sweetheart Run is very much a story about survival but in more than one sense. Sure, the core plot in this horror thriller is a woman trying to survive the night when a “business dinner turned date” ends on a violent note.

But this movie is also about simply surviving everyday challenges as a young woman (or woman of any age) in the world today. That’s why there’s also a focus on the most simple issues women face today. Such as not being believed if a man is saying something else. Especially a white, older, and richer man.

This movie doesn’t shy away from showing blood and tampons either. Sure, there’s blood due to the violence inflicted on the woman trying to survive. But there’s also just period blood. Plenty of it. And the struggle to find pads or tampons while trying to survive the night.

Maybe this will be an issue for some men, but I do believe lots of men will also be just fine with it. Which is also a point in Run Sweetheart Run. There are plenty of good men in the world. And when they step up, the world – in general – is a better (and safer) place for everyone.

What is TITHE in Run Sweetheart Run? *minor spoiler*

The word TITHE appears in relation to the calendar entry for the business dinner Cherie (Ella Balinska) goes on with Ethan (Pilou Asbæk). It’s noted as “Ethan TITHE w/ Cherie” which obviously begs the question: What is TITHE?

Well, a quick Google search will lead you to the very simple answer: A tithe is a one-tenth part of something. It’s usually paid as a contribution to a religious organization. So why would this be listed in the calendar belonging to Cherie’s boss (Clark Gregg)?

Once you’ve watched the movie – or thought it through – it should make perfect sense!

Watch Run Sweetheart Run on Prime Video

Shana Feste is the director of Run Sweetheart Run and I am a huge fan of her style here. Previously, Shane Feste also created (and directed) the podcast documentary-style series Dirty Diana starring Demi Moore in the title role. Prior to this, she wrote and directed Boundaries (2018) starring Vera Farmiga.

Also, Shana Feste co-wrote the screenplay for Run Sweetheart Run with Keith Josef Adkins (For the People) and Kellee Terrell. As the trailer reveals, there is a supernatural element. One that makes this story bigger and deeper than you might expect.

This also means I have no doubt some will love this movie while others will loathe it. It all depends on whether or not you’re ready to hear the truths being told – both as a man and a woman. Personally, I loved it!

RUN SWEETHEART RUN is out globally on Prime Video from October 28, 2022.

Details

Director: Shana Feste
Writers: Shana Feste, Keith Josef Adkins, Kellee Terrell
Stars: Ella Balinska, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Pilou Asbæk, Clark Gregg, Aml Ameen, Dayo Okeniyi, Betsy Brandt

Plot

Initially apprehensive when her boss insists she meet with one of his most important clients, single mom Cherie (Ella Balinska) is relieved and excited when she meets charismatic Ethan (Pilou Asbæk). The influential businessman defies expectations and sweeps Cherie off her feet. But at the end of the night, when the two are alone together, he reveals his true, violent nature. Battered and terrified, she flees for her life, beginning a relentless game of cat-and-mouse with a blood-thirsty assailant hell-bent on her utter destruction. In this edge-of-your-seat dark thriller, Cherie finds herself in the crosshairs of a conspiracy stranger and more evil than she could have ever imagined.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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