In Emma Higgins’ Sweetness, sixteen-year-old Rylee (Kate Hallett) is obsessed with Payton (Herman Tømmeraas), but when she has the chance to meet him after attending one on his concerts, she finds herself sorely disappointed. Determined to help the rock star she’s idolized get sober and reach his full potential, she decides to hold him hostage until he’s ready to change.
Awards Buzz had the chance to speak with Higgins and her leads about the process of making this film. Tømmeraas shared what appealed to him about one hell of a complex and physically demanding role:
“Well, it might seem like a brutal role to take. This was one of those characters that, for me, I’ve always wanted to do, because I got to do both sides of the coin. I got to do stage work, on-stage singing, dancing, performing, but on the opposite side of this, I got to be in a basement locked up in chains, not being able to move. So I got to do both sides and I loved every second of it. He’s not a perfect dude at all, but that’s also why it’s fun to do. There’s always been something that draws me towards villains, and I’m not saying that Payton is a villain, but whenever something is wrong, that’s where it gets really interesting. Putting myself into a character that had that was a really fun experience and a different experience than I’m used to.”
Higgins cast a wide net for the ideal audience for this film:
“I think that this movie is for anyone who’s ever felt like an emo or angsty or like an outsider or misfit, I think you can very much relate to that. It’s a pretty wide spectrum. Anyone who’s been a fan of anything. I think it’s for people who enjoy music. I think it’s for people who really enjoy genre. There’s definitely a world of millennial, Gen Z, emo saturated in there too, but yeah, music fans in general. Anyone with angst or emo sadness in their hearts.”
Hallett shared how starring in this film has compared to meeting her real-life heroes in the industry:
“I think they’re all very happy that I’m not more like Riley. I feel like I’m so bad at meeting people that I look up to because I just kind of go into freeze mode and I can’t speak or just be normal in any way, so I just wish I was better at that. But, honestly, they’ve all been really wonderful. I don’t know that there’s been anyone that I’ve been disappointed with or anything. Everyone has been very kind and welcoming.”
Watch the videos above to hear more about the experience of premiering this film at SXSW and what’s ahead for these three talents.
Sweetness will be released in theaters and on demand on Friday, February 13th.
