RUN SWEETHEART RUN (2020)
Cherie (Ella Balinska) is a pretty single mom that works for a prestigious law firm in L.A. When her boss (Clark Gregg) claims she booked him for a client dinner on his anniversary, he asks her to take the dinner in his place. Cherie meets the wealthy, charming and handsome Ethan (Pilou Asbæk) and soon the client dinner starts to turn into a date. The date then turns into a nightmare as Ethan attacks Cherie and then relentlessly pursues the fleeing woman through the seedy streets of after dark L.A.
Horror flick with something to say is directed by Shana Feste from her script with Keith Josef Adkins and Kellee Terrell. Feste directs with a hip, artsy style with characters breaking the fourth wall occasionally and acknowledging we the audience are watching. There is also a lot to say about how women are treated in the workplace, hence Cherie constantly being called “sweetheart” instead of by name, and how women are not believed when reporting assault, such as Cherie being arrested when going to the police about Ethan’s violent attack. The film doesn’t forget to be an engaging and suspenseful movie along with making strong statements. It takes us into horror film territory as it changes gears into something different than just a tale of date assault. We sense there is something wrong with the charismatic Ethan from the start and he turns out to be something more than just an arrogant and twisted man. It sets the stage for a bloody, violent and intense second half as Ethan pursues Cherie through the bleak streets of nighttime L.A. It’s very well done with other characters being brought into harm’s way and Ethan bloodily dispatching them to get to Cherie, who just wants to get home to her toddler daughter. The cast are all very good with Balinska making a very likable and resilient lead and Asbæk making a very lethal and effective villain. Feste sometimes leaves a lot to the imagination, with some moments happening off camera, which doesn’t always work, but otherwise crafts an intense and entertaining horror/thriller with some style, surprises and a lot to say. There is also a very atmospheric and effective score by Rob and seedy L.A. is captured well by cinematographer Bartosz Nalazek.
Flick is now streaming on Amazon Prime and is from Amazon and Blumhouse Pictures. Recommedned!
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