Sydney Sweeney's New Thriller Gets Fresh Reviews After 2025 Flops
Following a disappointing year at the box office, Sydney Sweeney's latest psychological thriller based on a bestselling novel is earning positive critical reception and could potentially salvage her challenging 2025 film run.
Sydney Sweeney's challenging year in Hollywood might finally be turning around. Following several disappointing releases, including the critically panned "Christy" that was originally positioned as an awards season contender, her latest psychological thriller is generating encouraging buzz from early reviewers.
Critical Reception Shows Promise
The film adaptation has earned a solid 78% rating from 41 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, marking what could become Sweeney's highest-rated project of the year. While these scores can fluctuate as more reviews pour in, the initial response suggests audiences might witness a different outcome than her previous 2025 releases.
Unlike her recent solo ventures, this psychological drama doesn't rest entirely on Sweeney's star power. Amanda Seyfried joins as co-lead in this adaptation of Freida McFadden's popular novel, which has already cultivated a devoted readership through social media book communities.
Built-In Audience Could Drive Success
The source material brings significant advantages that Sweeney's other 2025 projects lacked. McFadden's book has moved approximately 4.5 million copies, creating a ready-made fanbase eager to see their favorite characters brought to life on screen. Industry tracking suggests the film could open with over $30 million domestically, a substantial improvement over her recent box office performance.
Sweeney, who admits to being a fan of the original novel, has emphasized her commitment to staying faithful to the source material. "I think that it's going to be really exciting to see the movie come to life. I mean, I'm a huge fan of the book. So, being able to see all of these twisted elements and the secret smiles and how just dysfunctional this family has come to life is going to be really exciting. Millie is really true to the book, which I was really happy about. Uh, she is just trying to figure out how to navigate a very, very complicated situation. And she finds herself in something way bigger than she thought she was prepared for."
December Release Strategy
The $35 million production faces stiff competition in the crowded December marketplace, with major franchises dominating theater screens. However, the psychological thriller targets a distinctly different demographic than family-friendly blockbusters, potentially carving out its own profitable niche.
Success will largely depend on audience word-of-mouth and critical consensus scores once the film reaches wider release. If viewers respond positively, this adaptation could provide the redemption arc Sweeney needs to close out an otherwise difficult year in cinema. The film arrives in theaters on December 19, 2025.