An Unsweet Fix

Directed by Kari Angelica Peña

Warning – This review may contain spoilers

In the short film ” An Unsweet Fix” a young woman with self-destructive tendencies handed a big responsibility at work. The story follows Iris, played by Avery Pizzuto, as she navigates the consequences of her self-destructive behavior. After being entrusted with a key responsibility at work, her life begins to spiral when she inevitably messes up. The premise is relatable, and I found myself rooting for her at the start, but as the film progressed, it felt like her character didn’t develop much beyond the initial setup. The film captures moments of tension, but they’re fairly predictable—when Iris loses her work keys, it’s not much of a surprise where things are headed. What I was hoping for was a deeper exploration of her motivations or some kind of growth by the end, but that never really came.

Technically, the film is solid. The lighting and sound are clear and contribute well to the story. I didn’t have any trouble following the visuals, which were crisp and clean, especially for what appears to be a student short. The editing was smooth, and nothing felt out of place, though I did notice some minor glitches. While it didn’t take me out of the story, it was noticeable enough to mention. The only aspect that pulled me away from the immersion was the shaky cam used in a few scenes, which I found a bit distracting. It was an artistic choice, but for me, it didn’t add much to the narrative and instead broke up the flow of certain moments.

While the technical execution was decent, the emotional depth of the film left me wanting more. Iris doesn’t seem to evolve or learn from her mistakes, and by the end, I was left wondering what the film was truly trying to say. Her self-destructive tendencies remain unresolved, and while that may be realistic in some cases, it made the film feel somewhat incomplete. The relationship dynamics, particularly with Quinn (Isaac Akers) and Toni (Shalane Carson), added some tension, but it didn’t lead to much change or resolution for Iris.

I think this film will resonate with people who have experienced the weight of responsibility and the fear of failure. There are moments in An Unsweet Fix that might strike a chord with viewers who’ve faced similar struggles in their own lives. However, for those looking for a more developed character arc or a satisfying resolution, it might not hit the mark. It’s not a bad film by any means, but it doesn’t quite live up to its intriguing premise.

An Unsweet Fix had the potential to dig deeper into the complexities of self-sabotage, but it stops short of delivering a fully fleshed-out narrative. The performances, especially from Pizzuto, are great, and the technical aspects are solid, but the emotional arc of the story felt a bit underdeveloped. That being said, it’s still a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in stories about everyday struggles.