Movie Review: Sadie. A Revelation! It’s Dark, Intense, and Full of Angst.

Director: Megan Griffiths
Writer: Megan Griffiths
Producers: Lacey Leavitt, Jennessa West
Starring: Sophia Mitri Schloss, Melanie Lynskey, John Gallagher Jr., Tony Hale, Keith L. Williams, and Danielle Brooks
Release Date (NY/LA): October 12
Run Time: 96 mins.
Country: USA
Language: English

Reviewer Rating: ★★★★★

Though the title of this film may sound benign, the contents within Sadie are far from it. Writer and director Megan Griffiths gives the audience a visceral and eye-opening look from an adolescent’s perspective on everyday situations in an adult-centric world. Some scenes may be shocking for some, however; the way Sadie is written, there is no room for sugar-coating anything. The performance by young actress Sophia Mitri Schloss in the title role of Sadie is award worthy. Schloss’ portrayal of a teenager who’s caught between childhood and puberty is outstanding. While Sadie possesses some childlike qualities, she’s also on the cusp of becoming a dark and cynical human being.

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Sophia Mitri Schloss as “Sadie,” — Photo Cr: Pressing Pictures/Electric Dream Factory.

Sadie is a latch-key kid and lives with her mother Rae (Melanie Lynskey) in a small town in the Midwest. Her father (unseen) is overseas serving in the armed forces and has been deployed for quite some time. Sadie and her father correspond frequently through letters and packages; however, it doesn’t dawn on Sadie that her mother never receives her own letters from her estranged husband.

Sadie grapples with the idea that her parents might not be the happy couple she envisions them to be. Her hopes of her father coming home soon and reuniting with them are higher than usual. As Rae tries to gently explain things aren’t always going to be sunshine and daisies, Sadie still doesn’t comprehend that her mother and father aren’t a couple anymore despite being legally married. Enter two men in Rae’s life who Sadie isn’t happy about.

The way Griffiths has written this story, it’s as though she lived through this ordeal herself. The reality that Sadie lives in seems skewed yet she doesn’t see that her behavior is alarming. As the daughter of a solider, she holds dear to the ways of a warrior, believing enemies must be eliminated, in the literal sense. Schloss’ performance is truly phenomenal. Her ability to appear clueless and innocent one minute to downright conniving and vindictive the next will have your jaw dropping.

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Cyrus (John Gallagher Jr.) and Rae (Melanie Lynskey) — Photo Cr: Pressing Pictures/Electric Dream Factory.

With Bradley (Tony Hale), who also happens to be her school’s guidance counselor, Sadie is quite blunt about her dislike of his intrusion in her mother’s life while her father is away serving his country. And Sadie becomes quite inventive in the ways she tries to get rid of the second of Rae’s suitors, Cyrus (John Gallagher Jr.). Sometimes, milk does not do the body good. I was on the edge of my seat as Cyrus sits down to dinner with the glass sitting in front of him. Will he pick it up and take a big gulp?

Throughout the film, the story revolves around Sadie and her relationships with her mother and her childhood best friend and neighbor Francis (Keith L. Williams). Both Francis and Sadie attend the same school, but Francis is a little younger. The two seem inseparable just as their mothers, Rae and Carla (Danielle Brooks), were when they were young. Sadie doesn’t do the typical teenage girl things, such as trying on make-up or being boy crazy. She whittles wood with Francis’ grandfather Deak (Tee Dennard) and is more of a tom-boy than anything. As with most pre-teens, Sadie does start to experience new sensations and wants to experiment with kissing. And to draw the attention of Francis’ bully, Sadie does something unexpected, revealing a more feminine side to her as well as a diabolical one.

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Sophia Mitri Schloss as Sadie — Photo Cr: Pressing Pictures/Electric Dream Factory.

There are some disturbing scenes in this film, including some nudity, and there is a reference to the Columbine massacre. Sadie isn’t a sweet coming-of-age tale; it is a gritty film with some moments of humor but there isn’t a true happy ending. I appreciated the fact that this film doesn’t have a wishy-washy Hollywood ending. Life isn’t always grand and there are moments that end tragically.

Sadie is a revelation. It’s dark, intense, and full of angst. It’s also poignant and has a message for parents and teens. While parents aren’t always perfect, sometimes you need to take a deeper look at what’s going on in your child’s life and have the tough conversations with your children as soon as possible – someone’s life could depend on it. While I empathized with Rae’s situation, there are many times I felt she shouldn’t have left Sadie alone to her own devices as often as she did. But it’s not always easy being the only person actively parenting.

For more on the film, go to https://www.sadiefilm.com/

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.