'Sweetpea' Reviews: “Sweetpea” feels fresh from beginning to end, offering us a gripping story right down to the final episode’s shocking cliffhanger"

         On October 10, 2024, STARZ premiered 'Sweetpea', which has earned rave reviews from critics, currently holding at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the series, "Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t make much of an impression - people walk past her without a second glance. That is until she is pushed over the edge and loses control. Rhiannon’s life transforms, but can she keep her killer secret?" The ensemble cast includes Ella Purnell, Calam Lynch, Leah Harvey, and Nicole Lecky, Read the full review round-up below.

        Kaiya Shunyata of RogerEbert.com says, "At first glance, “Sweetpea” feels like a show simply inspired by genre tropes, from its premise to its themes surrounding isolation and womanhood, but there’s an edge here that most thrillers have been devoid of in the last few years. Though it begins like a more cyclical version of “Fleabag,” the series slowly unfurls into an updated version of “The End of the F***ing World.” It’s this switch, which becomes apparent in episode four, that makes this show one of the best of its kind. From here, “Sweetpea”’s comedic edge is balanced well with an introspective look into how isolation in the modern age is affecting young women. The way in which loneliness grips onto Rhiannon is harnessed by a career best performance from Ella Purnell. From “Yellowjackets” to “Fallout,” we’ve seen her sketch the shape of the All-American girl. Here, writer Ella Jones gives Purnell more depth to work with than any of her previous characters, allowing the actress to chew on material that is more than worthy of her. Rhiannon feels as if she truly exists, her slight disposition not made for the world of fickle relationships ours has turned into. She becomes more and more cyclical, like by striking the first victim she has released a version of herself that was buried deep within, and Purnell juggles this with an ease unknown to most of her peers." Adding, "Sweetpea” begins as a story about a woman who, in her desperation to be seen and heard, harnesses a deep-rooted brutality to gain some sense of agency. While the setup could make for another run-of-the-mill thriller, Jones breaks and bends these tropes as a writer to instead give us an in-depth look into the psyche of a woman crumbling under the weight of modern life. With 8 million people in the world, Rhiannon wishes just one would look her way, and if she has to commit a crime for this to happen, then so be it. “Sweetpea” feels fresh from beginning to end, offering us a gripping story right down to the final episode’s shocking cliffhanger."

Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash

       Branyan Towen of Loud and Clear Reviews notes, "Not even reading the novel beforehand can prepare you for what this adaptation of Sweetpea from STARZ has in store. If you think I am being hyperbolic, consider that I finished my first read through a short while ago and still had to pick my jaw up off the floor multiple times as I watched this television series. Certain elements will feel familiar based on hints from the books, but Kirstie Swain has crafted something unique as showrunner alongside some top notch writers. This narrative has twists and turns designed to keep everyone on their toes regardless of if they are familiar with the source material. It is basically like if Fleabag was mixed with Netflix’s You and featured one of the best protagonists you will find on television this year in Rhiannon Lewis (Ella Purnell, Fallout). She is utterly fascinating for all the right or wrong reasons, depending on who you ask. What Purnell does with Rhiannon is such a contrast to what we have seen from her before and the actress delivers another stand out performance amongst a solid ensemble. The series also features an excellent score from Isobel Waller-Bridge which contributes to what is ultimately a dark and hilarious time." Continuing, "What truly makes Sweetpea stand out is the character of Rhiannon Lewis and Ella Purnell’s performance. Strictly speaking, she is not a character you should be rooting for and yet, as the writers reveal more about her, you may find yourself believing that Rhiannon is not entirely in the wrong. While her behavior is indeed a bit psychopathic, this series makes you consider all the factors that contributed to it. She is a nice person, which is a contrast to her book counterpart, who spews sarcastic, funny and hateful observations about everyone, including her friends. We get some of that in the series, but only towards characters that have been openly cruel to Rhiannon."