Sydney Sweeney, known for her compelling performances in various dramatic roles, is set to star in and produce a new thriller film adapted from a viral Reddit story. The project is making a huge splash already, despite still being in the formative stages. It should have an original script by Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth. The adaptation stems from a chilling post titled “I Pretended to Be a Missing Girl So I Could Rob Her Family,” originally shared by Joe Cote, an English teacher from Massachusetts.
That tense, cliff-hanging tale kept Reddit readers enthralled, garnering close to 4,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments. It’s the harrowing tale of how one girl masterminded a scheme to exploit a family’s sorrow and heartbreak to be welcomed into their home for robbery. Robinson’s black premise piqued the interest of Underground Entertainment manager Aaron Folbe. It didn’t take long for him to recognize its potential to be turned into a documentary.
After the release of that post, an intense bidding war erupted between Nashville and LA based production companies to buy the rights. Warner Bros. Entertainment won this battle. That win shaped their creative vision, allowing them to visualize and ultimately adapt the remarkable story for the big screen.
Sweeney’s participation in the project is her second foray into the thriller genre. She starred in the 2020 crime drama “Zola.” We dreamed up this film from a thread we saw blowing up on social media. Her ability to convey intense emotions is highlighted by critics, with one review noting, “Sweeney’s eyes harden with a defiance that’s so passionate it feels personal.” This talent for portraying complex characters aligns perfectly with the themes of deception and identity that permeate the new film.
Eric Roth has a heavy-hitting, award-winning resumé. He will work with the original Reddit post as a basis, turning it into a script that most effectively conveys the original post’s creepy vibe. His reputation and experience in creating impactful and imaginative narratives will undoubtedly make this film more poignant and powerful to deter audiences.
This dynamic partnership between Sweeney and Roth is a perfect illustration of the recent trend of bringing online narratives into the legacy media space. As social media continues to shape narratives, projects like this one highlight how digital platforms can inspire compelling storytelling in film.
Sweeney further steps into a double role as both the project’s producer and lead actress. Her participation is a great indication of her ongoing dedication to more unsettling material within her craft. The narrative quickly and hilariously launches into a specific con gone haywire. It provides a more profound social critique regarding trust and betrayal in personal relationships.
As the project continues to develop, it’s shaping up to be one of the more interesting literary adaptations to land in the thriller genre. The combination of a strong narrative foundation from Cote’s Reddit post and the creative talents of Sweeney and Roth sets high expectations for audiences eagerly anticipating its release.