Sony’s Madame Web hit theaters worldwide on Valentine’s Day, and the film is getting universally panned by critics and fans alike.
Criticism is being aimed at almost every aspect of the movie, including its messy plot, sub-par dialogue, poor special effects, and miscasting of its star ensemble.
Much criticism has been directed at the casting of Sydney Sweeney as Julia Carpenter, the awkward teenage girl destined to become a Spider-Woman.
However, as these five previous roles prove, Sweeney hasn’t always been so miscast as she was in the terrible Madame Web.
Sharp Objects
The miniseries Sharp Objects is an HBO psychological thriller based on Gillian Flynn’s brilliant 2006 debut novel. It chronicles the exploits of an alcoholic crime reporter, only recently discharged from a psychiatric ward after self-harming for years, who returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls.
This is a brilliant, incredibly dark, visually stunning series with a tremendous cast, including Amy Adams in the lead role as reporter Camille Preaker. Sydney Sweeney plays Alice, Camille’s surly and sulky teenage roommate in the psychiatric hospital, who also self-harms. She’s superb in the role, appearing in seven of the eight episodes, and her terrific chemistry with Adams significantly contributes to the excellent series.
Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Euphoria
HBO’s teen drama series Euphoria primarily focuses on a troubled teenage drug addict’s attempts to get sober, discover where in the world she belongs, and settle back into her various relationships after spending time in rehab.
It stars Zendaya as the main character, Rue Bennett, but the show delves deeply into the lives of her supporting cast. That includes the likes of Sydney Sweeney’s Cassandra “Cassie” Howard, a girl whose s*xual history is notorious. She performs with impressive depth and tons of emotion, bringing so much to the show. It’s well worth watching with Maude Apatow, Colman Domingo, and Jacob Elordi in the cast.
Streaming on Amazon Prime and HBO Max.
The White Lotus
The White Lotus is an HBO dark comedy-drama anthology series centering around the employees and guests at the fictional eponymous resort chain and their exploits and interactions, which are made more intriguing, complex, and bizarre by the various psychosocial dysfunctions they possess.
The anthological nature of the series means the cast is ever-changing, with the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Aubrey Plaza, and Laura Dern appearing in the first two seasons. Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, and Jason Isaacs are among the stars set to appear in season three. Sydney Sweeney plays Olivia Mossbacher, an edgy college sophomore, in the first season, and she’s superb, displaying surprising comedy chops. The White Lotus is brilliantly cast, funny, occasionally uncomfortable, and full of great twists.
Streaming on Max.
Reality (2023)
Previously staged as the play Is This a Room and based on the FBI interrogation transcript of American intelligence leaker Reality Winner, the crime drama Reality focuses on Winner, who spent four years in prison for the unauthorized release of government information to the media about Russian interference in 2016’s United States of America elections.
Sydney Sweeney plays the main character, Winner, de-glamoring impressively and showing an entirely new side to her talent with a nuanced performance. This fact-based drama is gripping and engrossing, steered by brilliant direction from Tina Satter. It may be Sweeney’s finest performance, as she shines alongside Josh Hamilton and Marchánt Davis.
Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Anyone But You (2023)
The rom-com Anyone But You stars Sydney Sweeney alongside Glen Powell and is loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. It follows two people, Bea and Ben, who have an excellent first date before their contact stops, and then they unexpectedly reunite at a wedding in Australia. While there, they pretend to be a couple.
While most of the movie’s reviews have been average, Sweeney and Powell are terrific as Bea and Ben and received widespread praise. Their chemistry makes the film watchable despite its somewhat derivative and uninspiring nature. Will Gluck slickly directs it, and it provides enough laughs and, ultimately, romance to merit its rom-com status.
This movie is not yet streaming.
