Spoonful of Sugar is a 2022 horror thriller that was directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, based on a script written by Leah Saint Marie.[1] It stars Morgan Saylor, Kat Foster, Danilo Crovetti, Myko Olivier and Keith Powell. The film centers on a college student who takes on a job caring for a sickly child, only for things to go horribly wrong when she offers him some of her own medication.
| Spoonful of Sugar | |
|---|---|
.jpeg) Promotional release poster | |
| Directed by | Mercedes Bryce Morgan |
| Written by | Leah Saint Marie |
| Produced by | Katrina Kudlick Natalie Metzger Matt Miller |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Nick Matthews |
| Edited by | Anjoum Agrama |
| Music by | Robert Allaire |
| Distributed by | Shudder |
Release dates |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
editMillicent is a college student who has taken some time away from school in order to take part in a treatment program that utilizes microdoses of LSD, which results in her experiencing occasional hallucinations.
During this time she is also hired to care for Johnny, a sick and nonverbal young boy with allergies so severe that he must wear an astronaut-esque suit to keep him safe. She quickly discovers that the boy's home life is not perfect, as his father is prone to philandering while his mother is extremely intent on appearing as the perfect mother. Eventually, Millicent decides to give Johnny some of her LSD, only to be met with horrifying results.
Cast
edit- Morgan Saylor as Millicent
- Kat Foster as Rebecca
- Danilo Crovetti as Johnny
- Myko Olivier as Jacob
- Keith Powell as Dr. Welsh
- David Yow as Roger
- Christiana Montoya as Little Girl
- Shon Wilson as Esther
- Dave Snyder as Hip White Man
- Laura Coover as Julia
- Stephanie Erb as Sara
Release
editSpoonful of Sugar premiered on internet streaming service Shudder as one of its Shudder Originals on March 2, 2023.[2] Prior to this the movie had been screened at several film festivals during 2022, including Fantastic Fest.[3]
Reception
editSpoonful of Sugar currently holds a rating of 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews.[4][5] CBR wrote a favorable review, noting that "Spoonful of Sugar is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who can handle some outrageous lunacy for about 90 minutes, this film will be a riot," and that Saylor "brilliantly conveys the character's mental state with surprising subtlety."[6] The Los Angeles Times's Noel Murray was more critical, as they felt "There’s not quite enough plot in “Spoonful of Sugar” to fill its running time, though the performances are so lively and director Morgan’s imagery so vivid that the picture is never dull. The film works best when it makes the least sense."[7]
References
edit- ^ "SPOONFUL OF SUGAR: Shudder Acquires Mercedes Bryce Morgan's Psychological Horror". ScreenAnarchy. September 22, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Squires, John (February 7, 2023). "Shudder Delivers a 'Spoonful of Sugar' With Latest Original Movie on March 2 [Trailer]". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ "[Fantastic Fest Interview]…Turmoil and Family Terror in 'Spoonful of Sugar'". GoSeeTalk. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ "Spoonful of Sugar". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Donato, Matt (October 1, 2022). "Spoonful Of Sugar Review: A Not So Sweet Domestic Horror Story [Fantastic Fest]". /Film. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Mendelsohn, Jon (March 1, 2023). "REVIEW: Shudder's Spoonful of Sugar is a Hypnotic Thriller". CBR. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Murray, Noel (March 3, 2023). "Review: Andrea Riseborough and campy 'Please Baby Please' deconstruct gender and the 1950s". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2023.