Sick Girl is a 2023 American comedy film written and directed by Jennifer Cram and starring Nina Dobrev, Brandon Mychal Smith, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Koenig, Hayley Magnus, Ray McKinnon, Dan Bakkedahl, and Wendi McLendon-Covey. It marks Cram's feature directorial debut. Dobrev serves as an executive producer of the film.[1][2] It received negative reviews from critics.
| Sick Girl | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Jennifer Cram |
| Written by | Jennifer Cram |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Ante Cheng |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Patrick Stump |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Lionsgate |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editWren Pepper is a thirtysomething party gal who works as a cashier at a stationery store. All of her friends since her teenage years are at different stages in their lives: Laurel is focused on competitive marathons and a new relationship, Cece is raising her young daughter, and Jill is busy with her new toddler and a bickering husband. Hoping to reunite the friend circle, Wren tells a white lie that she has cancer. The lie spirals out of control when her friends go above and beyond to support Wren, placing her in awkward situations where she’s forced to lie to the public, her parents, and an actual cancer patient she befriends at a support group, named Leo.
Cast
edit- Nina Dobrev as Wren Pepper[2]
- Brandon Mychal Smith as Leo
- Sherry Cola as Laurel
- Stephanie Koenig as Cece
- Hayley Magnus as Jill
- Ray McKinnon as Malcolm
- Dan Bakkedahl as Fred Pepper
- Wendi McLendon-Covey as Carol Pepper
- Randy Wayne as Derek
Production
editFilming occurred in Oklahoma. In August 2019, it was announced that filming wrapped.[3] The COVID-19 pandemic served as a factor as to why the film was in post-production for more than three years.[1] Patrick Stump serves as composer of the film, making it his first film score.[1]
Release
editThe film was released in theaters and on digital platforms in the United States on October 20, 2023.[4][5]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 38% of 13 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.9/10.[6]
Pete Hammond of Deadline gave the film a negative review and wrote, "If you are going to do a so-called 'hilarious' comedy dealing with cancer you better know how to do it. Unfortunately, writer/director Jennifer Cram, for her first feature film in those jobs, does not knock it out of the park."[7]
Courtney Howard of Variety also gave the film an unfavorable review and wrote, "On paper, it contains admirable notions about adult female friendships and the need to maintain that vital bond. In execution, however, those stirring sentiments are tested by taxing hijinks."[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Wiseman, Andreas (May 5, 2023). "Nina Dobrev Comedy 'Sick Girl' Heads To Cannes Market; First-Look Images Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (July 24, 2019). "Nina Dobrev To Star And Executive Produce Indie Comedy 'Sick Girl', Debut Film From Jennifer Cram". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ McDonnell, Brandy (August 15, 2019). "Nina Dobrev film 'Sick Girl' wraps filming in Oklahoma". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ Lewis, George (September 20, 2023). "First trailer for Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev's new R-rated comedy". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ Danoff, Owen (October 16, 2023). "Nina Dobrev Lies To Her Friends In New Clip From Sick Girl [EXCLUSIVE]". Screen Rant. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "Sick Girl". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (October 18, 2023). "Sick Girl Review: Warning – Nina Dobrev's Ailing Cancer "Comedy" May Be Harmful To Your Health". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ Howard, Courtney (October 18, 2023). "Sick Girl Review: Nina Dobrev Leads a Deflating Cringe Comedy About Mending Fractured Female Friendships". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
