‘How many followers do you have now?”
As Western society has become more and more dominated by social media, it’s unsurprising that this has started to become reflected more and more in the world of cinema. So-called influencers, and the often lonely and exploitative world they inhabit, have been embraced by horror filmmakers in recent years, but while Sweat, a Polish-Swedish co-production helmed by director Magnus von Horn, has elements of horror, it’s a character study more than anything else…
Sylwia (Magdalena Koleśnik) is an up-and-coming fitness influencer who projects an image of happiness and success to her adoring followers but in reality, she either feels intimidated by her overbearing fans or utterly alone. The film offers a snapshot of a moment in time for Sylwia culminating in an epiphany of sorts in the film’s denouement.
While Sweat doesn’t have a lot of action, I found it to be an authentic and often heartbreaking portrayal of loneliness. van Horn, working from his own screenplay, allows us a glimpse behind the curtain of Sylwia’s shell-like facade, with the camera often following her into bathrooms or changing rooms, and these moments come to create a fully fleshed character brought to life in a compelling performance from Koleśnik who brings a warmth and humanity to Sylwia that is often missing from films about influences. Yes, they are by nature vain and vacuous, but they are also human beings. In the most successful section of the film, Sylwia attends a family meal to celebrate her mother’s birthday, and here we discover the reason for her insecurities and constant need for love and attention. It’s as harrowing as it is painful – and all too relatable.
Sweat is perhaps a little too meandering at times, and there won’t be enough action for some, but if you can buy into Sylwia there is a howl of anguish lurking just under the surface here that ensures that the film remains captivating throughout.
