Upon our first encounter with Rhiannon Lewis (Ella Purnell) in “Sweetpea,” she meticulously drafts a list of individuals she desires to eliminate. From the supermarket employee who ignores her to the boss who views her merely as an assistant, the list is extensive and well-thought-out. Rhiannon, small in stature and timid in demeanor, fades into the background of her own life and that of others. Their gazes pass over her as if she doesn’t even exist, and she navigates her workdays without exchanging many words with anyone. This sense of isolation drives her to create a hit list, which ultimately propels her further down a destructive path.
Following a family tragedy, Rhiannon’s façade of unassuming composure begins to crumble. Left with a despondent sister as her only support, she awakens to the reality of her profound solitude. A turning point arrives when her childhood tormentor Julia (Nicôle Lecky)—whose abuse inflicted trichotillomania upon Rhiannon—shows up at the funeral, prompting Rhiannon to vow never to become a victim again. Nevertheless, life has other plans. As all facets of her personal life spiral downward, she reaches her breaking point. After enduring a tumultuous week, she loses control and transforms into a version of herself even she cannot recognize.
Subsequently, Rhiannon grapples with these unexpected—and morally questionable—urges. Unable to assert herself verbally, she resorts to taking away other people’s agency to gain control over her life. By shedding the qualities that make others human, she gains a false sense of confidence and succumbs to a violence that seems beyond her control, even if she wanted to rein it in. As the violence escalates and deceit becomes a daily routine, Rhiannon doesn’t harbor remorse for her actions—she simply fears being caught.
Initially appearing to follow genre conventions, “Sweetpea” delves into themes of isolation and womanhood with a raw edge seldom seen in recent thrillers. While it starts off reminiscent of a more cyclical “Fleabag,” the series gradually transforms into a contemporary take on “The End of the F***ing World.” This shift, evident by the fourth episode, elevates the show to one of the best in its genre. “Sweetpea” strikes a delicate balance between comedy and introspection, offering a poignant exploration of how modern isolation impacts young women.
Ella Purnell delivers a career-defining performance as Rhiannon, capturing the character’s loneliness with remarkable depth. Unlike her previous roles in “Yellowjackets” and “Fallout,” Purnell is given more complex material by writer Ella Jones, allowing her to showcase her talent. Rhiannon feels undeniably real, ill-suited for a world of shallow connections. As she becomes trapped in a cycle of violence, Purnell navigates this transformation effortlessly, showcasing a level of skill unmatched by many of her peers.
Rhiannon’s journey is intertwined with encounters with various characters who contribute to her deep-seated resentment. When her childhood tormentor Julia resurfaces, Rhiannon struggles to cope. However, as the season progresses, she finds common ground with Julia, realizing they may not be so different after all. Purnell and Lecky share a dynamic chemistry that evolves into one of the most captivating female dynamics on screen. They engage in a cat-and-mouse game, with their relationship teetering on the edge, poised to either solidify or shatter their precarious lives.
“Sweetpea” unfolds as a tale of a woman, desperate to be acknowledged and assert herself, resorting to brutality to reclaim agency. While this premise could easily result in a generic thriller, Jones deftly subverts and challenges tropes, providing an intimate portrayal of a woman crumbling under modern pressures. With a population of 8 million, Rhiannon yearns for just one person to acknowledge her, even if it means committing a crime to achieve it. “Sweetpea” maintains its freshness from start to finish, delivering a gripping narrative that culminates in a shocking cliffhanger in the final episode.
All six episodes were screened for review. Premieres on Starz on October 10th.