Year: 2023
Runtime: 103 min
Language: English
Director: Marley Morrison
A socially awkward teenager, AJ, finds herself on a chaotic family vacation, struggling to connect with her mother and sister. Amidst the difficulties, she develops an unexpected connection with Isla, a spirited lifeguard who represents the freedom AJ desires. Through their interactions, AJ begins to find a sense of belonging and a path toward self-discovery during the summer getaway.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Sweetheart yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Sweetheart (2023), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As the waves of fate washed over Jenn (Kiersey Clemons), she found herself isolated on a barren island, her awareness slowly returning as the salty sea breeze mixed with the warm sun above. The first face that greeted her was that of Brad (Benedict Samuel), a familiar figure whose presence felt both comforting and foreboding. With a piece of coral jutting grotesquely from his abdomen, Brad’s fate was sealed, and Jenn’s desperate attempts to treat his injury only hastened his end. In his final moments, he murmured the haunting question, > “Did you see it?” Alone as the island’s only survivor, Jenn faced the wreckage of their makeshift camp, her mind racing with thoughts of survival.
As night fell, a storm descended upon the island, bringing with it a dreadful sight—a multitude of dead fish washed ashore, ripped apart by some unseen predator. Amid the gruesome aftermath, Jenn’s gaze caught a glimpse of a mutilated shark, its remains presenting a horrific tableau. The island began to reveal its dark past as Jenn unearthed the traces of a family that had come before her. Among their possessions, she discovered a small box of matches, a flicker of hope in an otherwise desolate reality.
With Brad laid to rest, Jenn lit a fire to cook the fish, the flames illuminating the darkness and filling the air with the scent of salt and smoke. As she sat by the fire, her thoughts were consumed by the mystery surrounding Brad’s fate. However, when dawn broke, she was met with an unsettling surprise—Brad’s grave had been disturbed, and his body was nowhere to be found.
Panic surged within Jenn as she realized she was not alone on this tiny island. To defend herself, she crafted a makeshift spear from the twisted foliage surrounding her, its sharpened edge a symbol of her growing desperation. The next day, hope glimmered as she spotted her belongings bobbing just offshore, promising potential rescue that seemed tantalizingly close.
That evening, beneath a starlit sky, Jenn heard the distinct sound of an approaching airplane, its lights fading like distant fireflies. She urgently fired off a flare, desperate for assistance, but it plummeted back into the ocean, revealing a monstrous creature (Andrew Crawford) emerging from the surf, seemingly claiming Brad’s body for itself. As it crept silently across the shore, Jenn concealed herself in the shadows, her heart racing in sync with the creature’s heavy breathing.
Determined to escape, Jenn attempted to float away on her luggage and life vest, but the turbulent sea thwarted her plan, forcing her to scramble for safety. As night returned, she sought refuge in a hollow log, only to find her solace disrupted when the creature ferociously attacked the log. Ultimately losing interest, it retreated back into the darkness, leaving Jenn to contemplate her fate amidst the island’s chilling mysteries.
With dawn breaking over the lonely isle, Jenn made a bold decision to confront the monstrous force that plagued her home. She meticulously impaled a small shark and hung its lifeless body from the trees, then retreated to a secret hideaway for some much-needed rest. However, her slumber was short-lived as the creature, lured by the bait, devoured her offering, prompting Jenn to contemplate the true extent of its power.
The arrival of another corpse on the beach underscored the creature’s relentless brutality. Jenn seized this grim opportunity to set a trap, tempting the ravenous beast with fresh meat while keeping a safe distance to observe its ominous feast. As the plane continued its journey overhead, Jenn felt the weight of her vulnerability and the dire impossibility of calling for help against such an unstoppable horror.
Resolute, she constructed a makeshift hammock at the forest’s edge, attempting to establish a barrier between herself and the lethal sea. Yet, her gambit strained under pressure as the beast demonstrated both cunning and strength, shattering her hammock and forcing Jenn to flee for her life. Her desperate attempts to defend herself with a spear ignited the creature’s fury, driving it to chase her until a powerful clap of thunder sent it retreating back into the ocean.
The following morning offered a flicker of hope as a life raft drifted to shore. When Lucas (Emory Cohen) and Mia (Hanna Mangan Lawrence) emerged from its wreckage, Jenn’s joy quickly morphed into concern, for they remained blissfully unaware of the lurking terror beneath the waves. Her attempts to warn them about the monstrous threat were met with skepticism, as they brushed off her claims as mere delusions born from their shared trauma at sea.
As Jenn and Mia exchanged stories about their harrowing experiences, Jenn’s fervent warnings went unrecognized, prompting her to take matters into her own hands by sneaking away on the raft. Her plan unraveled when Lucas and Mia apprehended her mid-escape, incapacitating her with a swift strike. When she regained consciousness, Jenn found herself tethered to a tree trunk, a surge of determination coursing through her to free herself from the bonds.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated as Mia questioned Jenn’s trustworthiness, citing past events that had frayed their relationships. A heated argument erupted between Jenn and Lucas, revealing the simmering resentments that lingered beneath their surface. As the night wore on, the truth unraveled—Lucas had lost friends in the maritime disaster, and his anguish poured out as he accused Jenn of abandoning him. Yet Jenn remained resolute, her focus solely on her freedom.
Their confrontation took an unexpected turn when they heard Mia’s terrified screams and the creature’s menacing growls. Racing toward the source of the chaos, they found the beast attacking Mia, razor-sharp claws flashing in the moonlight. Lucas attempted to ward off the monster with a torch, but it easily overpowered him, leaving him battered on the ground.
Fueled by adrenaline, Jenn broke free from her restraints and dashed towards the shore just as Mia was yanked into the ocean by the monstrous creature. The dawn brought with it a palpable fear, but Jenn successfully persuaded the shaken Lucas to escape the island with her on a makeshift raft.
Together, they used their final match to cook a meager meal before setting off into the open water. However, their brief reprieve was shattered when the creature launched another attack on their raft, its relentless fins turning their escape into a nightmare. Despite Jenn’s frantic efforts, she was dragged beneath the surface and faced the horrific visage of the monster—a dreadful amalgamation of human and shark features.
As Lucas bravely leaped in to save her, the creature retaliated, viciously attacking him. With horror in her heart, Jenn could only watch as Lucas was pulled screaming into the abyss, leaving her to confront the creature alone once again.
As twilight enveloped the island, Jenn returned to find remnants of her devastated escape—a torn raft stranded on the sands. Accepting her dire situation, she tended to the embers of her fire, understanding that survival required both cunning and grit. With no options left, Jenn prepared herself for the inevitable clash with the beast.
Driven by fierce determination, she crafted multiple spears and created a series of fires, her mind sharpened and ready for the oncoming battle. In a poignant moment, she took a pen to jot down her experiences, a letter to serve as a testament of her resilience—and a plea for anyone who might find it to believe in her extraordinary tale.
As darkness fell once more, the creature emerged, and Jenn met it with flames and her makeshift arsenal. The air crackled with tension as she plunged her spears deep into the monstrosity, each thrust accompanied by a battle cry that echoed across the beach. The ferocious conflict raged on, both combatants engaged in a primal struggle for survival.
In the chaos of the fray, Jenn endured a staggering blow from the creature, but she refused to submit. Drawing on every ounce of strength, she pressed on, delivering relentless blows with branches and rocks, fueled by an unyielding spirit. The creature countered fiercely, landing painful strikes that left Jenn shaken, yet she pressed on, undeterred.
In an ultimate act of defiance, the creature succumbed to its wounds and fell to the ground, lifeless. With a triumphant cry, Jenn stood victorious, having impaled the beast on her sharpened spear. As she surveyed her conquered domain, the camera pulled back to reveal the smoldering ruins of her former prison—flames consuming a significant portion of the island, signifying the ferocity of their confrontation and Jenn’s unbreakable will. Yet, despite her hard-won victory, the reality of her abandonment remained. Her prospects for escape were as unpredictable as the embers still flickering amid the charred landscape.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 19:41
Still wondering what the ending of Sweetheart (2023) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
Ben and Jamie’s story culminates in them realizing that their deep connection is stronger than any romantic relationship they had with their respective partners. Throughout the film, their friendship has been complicated by their feelings and the pressure of long-distance love, which eventually leads both of them to a point where they feel trapped and unsure of what they truly want. When they realize they might have feelings for each other, they share a nervous kiss, but afterward, they decide to pause and reflect on what that kiss really means. Both of them conclude that they are better off as friends, valuing their friendship above all else and not wanting to complicate things further. Their decision to remain friends signifies a recognition that their bond is unique and worth preserving, even if it’s not romantic. This choice is reinforced by their mutual honesty and understanding; they want to support each other without risking the emotional pain that romantic entanglements could bring. In the end, Ben moves to Copenhagen to pursue new opportunities, and Jamie begins to socialize more and embrace new experiences, emphasizing their personal growth and their desire to move forward in life. Despite the possibility of future complications, the ending leaves their relationship open, hinting that their strong friendship may face new challenges, especially if feelings grow stronger on either side. However, for now, they step into their separate futures, carrying with them the understanding that some connections are best maintained as pure and dear friendships.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Sweetheart in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Sweetheart is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Sweetheart with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Sweetheart. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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