🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Shana Feste
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 44min
- IMDb rating: 5.5/10 (10K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman goes on a date with a super-rich guy who turns out to be a vampire or demon or something, and she spends the whole night running from him while desperately needing a tampon.
🍿 Run Sweetheart Run: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Unforeseen Date
Cherie, a young single mother and secretary, is asked by her boss, James, to attend a dinner with an important client, Ethan, due to a scheduling conflict. Initially hesitant, Cherie agrees. She prepares for the evening, only to realize she’s started her period and is out of tampons, setting up a recurring motif throughout the night.

A Charming Facade
Cherie meets Ethan, who appears charismatic and charming. However, a brief outburst of anger when a dog approaches him reveals a hidden side. Despite this, Cherie enjoys the dinner. Ethan invites her back to his place for a nightcap, setting an alarm for the early morning, ostensibly so she can return home before her daughter wakes up.

Nightmare Begins
Back at Ethan’s house, his facade crumbles as he violently attacks Cherie, forcing her to flee for her life. Injured and terrified, she runs through the streets seeking help, but her pleas are ignored by passersby. The night quickly devolves into a desperate fight for survival against a relentless pursuer.

The Hunt and the Conspiracy
Cherie is arrested by police, further compounding her plight. While in custody, another woman warns her about Ethan’s power and urges her to seek out the ‘First Lady.’ Upon release, she discovers that she has become part of a deadly game, a ‘tithe’ for Ethan. She soon realizes she is caught up in a conspiracy far greater than she initially imagined.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Cherie (Ella Balinska): A single mother and secretary who must fight for her life after a date turns violent.
- Ethan (Pilou Asbæk): A charming but sinister businessman who hunts Cherie throughout the night.
- James R. Fuller (Clark Gregg): Cherie’s boss, who sets her up on the fateful date with Ethan.
- First Lady (Shohreh Aghdashloo): The leader of a secret society of women who fight against Ethan and his kind.
- Trey (Dayo Okeniyi): Cherie’s ex-boyfriend who tries to help her escape Ethan’s grasp.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Ethan: “I’m going to hunt you.” – Ethan chillingly tells Cherie his intentions while she is trapped in a jail cell.
- Judy: “He can smell your blood.” – Judy warns Cherie that Ethan’s supernatural senses allow him to track her down, emphasizing her vulnerability.
- First Lady: “He decided that men should rule.” – The First Lady explains Ethan’s motivation for subjugating women, revealing the deeper conspiracy at play.
- Cherie: “This is the year of the woman!” – Cherie defiantly proclaims a new era of female empowerment before the final confrontation with Ethan.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $30,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Run Sweetheart Run Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a straight-up horror flick, but it was…weird. Ella Balinska is awesome as Cherie, and you really feel for her. But then the story just goes off the rails. One minute it’s a scary date gone wrong, and the next it’s like a bizarre feminist fever dream. I was left scratching my head more than anything. The tampon thing was…a choice. Like, I get it, but it felt so forced. The final act was especially bizarre. I couldn’t stop watching, but I don’t know if that’s a good thing. Definitely a conversation starter, if nothing else.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of horror-thrillers with strong female leads”
- “Viewers interested in films exploring feminist themes”
- “Those seeking a fast-paced, suspenseful movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Sexual assault themes”
- “Strong language”
- “Blood and gore”
- “Thematic elements of misogyny”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While Balinska gives a committed performance and Asbæk oozes charm and menace, the film’s feminist themes feel heavy-handed and underdeveloped. The script struggles to balance horror and social commentary, resulting in a tonally uneven experience.
- Collider: “Run Sweetheart Run starts strong as a survival thriller, but the narrative eventually veers into muddled territory with underdeveloped supernatural elements and an overly simplistic feminist message. The performances are strong, but the story ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive and satisfying experience.
- IndieWire: “Shana Feste attempts a stylish horror-thriller but struggles to maintain suspense and coherent themes. Though Ella Balinska delivers a captivating lead performance, the story feels disjointed, and the heavy-handed messaging detracts from the overall impact.
Audience Reactions
Ella Balinska’s performance as Cherie was the standout element for many viewers.: Most viewers found the movie entertaining, despite its flaws, praising its fast pace and suspenseful moments.
Some audiences appreciated the feminist themes and social commentary, while others found it heavy-handed and distracting.: The film’s originality and uniqueness were also noted, setting it apart from typical horror movies.
Overall Consensus: Run Sweetheart Run is a divisive movie with strong performances but a muddled plot and heavy-handed themes. While some viewers enjoyed its unique approach and message, others found it confusing and tonally inconsistent.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in 2019, but reshoots took place in early 2022, delaying its release.”
- “Director Shana Feste incorporates elements of dark comedy and religious fantasy into the thriller and horror genres.”
🖥️ How to Watch Run Sweetheart Run?
Run Sweetheart Run is exclusively available on Amazon Prime Video as an Amazon Original movie. It can be streamed with an active Prime Video subscription. As it is an original film, purchase options on other platforms like Apple TV or Google Play are currently unavailable.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Run Sweetheart Run, you might like these similar films:
- Fresh (2022): Both films blend horror with social commentary on dating and gender dynamics.
- Ready or Not (2019): Features a woman fighting for her survival against a sinister and deadly group.
- Get Out (2017): Uses horror elements to explore themes of race, power, and control.
- Jennifer’s Body (2009): Subversive horror that examines female power and societal expectations with dark humor and gore.
🛒 Run Sweetheart Run Related Products
- Run Sweetheart Run Movie Poster: A high-quality print featuring the film’s poster art. Perfect for fans who want to showcase their love for the movie.
- Blumhouse Horror Movie Collection (DVD/Blu-ray): A collection featuring multiple Blumhouse horror hits. Offers great value for horror fans.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Resident Evil – Ella Balinska as Jade: A Funko Pop featuring Ella Balinska from the Netflix’s Resident Evil.
- Horror Movie T-Shirt (Run Sweetheart Run Inspired): A custom-designed t-shirt featuring a memorable quote or imagery from the film. Made from high-quality, comfortable materials.
🎧 Soundtrack
Run Sweetheart Run features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “I Adore Him” – performed by The Angels
- “Run Sweetheart Run – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – performed by Various artists
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Ethan is revealed to be a fallen angel who seeks to maintain male dominance by preying on women. He possesses supernatural powers, including enhanced strength, speed, and the ability to track victims by the scent of their blood. He is vulnerable to sunlight and fire.
The film implies Ethan’s fear of dogs stems from a past experience, but it’s largely unexplained. It’s implied his demonic or fallen angel nature makes him vulnerable or averse to canine purity or loyalty, serving as a plot device to allow Cherie brief moments of escape.
The film tackles themes of female empowerment, misogyny, and the fight against patriarchal structures. It explores the everyday dangers women face and their struggle for survival in a world dominated by male power. It also highlights the importance of female solidarity and resistance.
🔥 Bonus Content
Marked by the devil running for her life – Run Sweetheart Run recap
Curious about the plot of ‘Run Sweetheart Run’ or want to see if it’s worth watching? This recap does a great job breaking down the story and exploring its themes – a definite must-watch if you’re on the fence!
So I watched Run Sweetheart Run….| Movie Commentary|For the Nostalgia
Want to relive ‘Run Sweetheart Run’ through someone else’s eyes? This commentary is super engaging, and the host points out details you might’ve missed – it’s like watching the movie with a hilarious friend!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.