Sydney Sweeney’s latest film, “Americana”, has been generating buzz — but not for the right reasons. While some recent headlines have focused on her other controversies, the real talking point here is the lackluster quality of this so-called Western crime drama.
Premiering at South by Southwest in March 2023, the movie has finally made its way into select theaters in August 2025. Unfortunately, the long wait hasn’t made it any more worthwhile.
A Quirky Crime Drama That Falls Flat
Billed as a Coen Brothers-style crime drama, “Americana” tries to blend eccentric characters with dark humor and violent twists. Instead, it delivers a meandering plot with little emotional impact.
Sydney Sweeney stars as Penny Jo, a shy South Dakota waitress who dreams of becoming a country singer but struggles with a stammer. The problem? Sweeney, one of Hollywood’s most photographed actresses, is hardly believable as a wallflower. Her speech impediment feels underdeveloped — rehearsed yet unconvincing.
Penny Jo’s path crosses with Lefty (Paul Walter Hauser), a socially awkward man who has proposed to multiple women in a single year. Then there’s Cal (Gavin Maddox Bergman), a young boy claiming to be the reincarnation of Sitting Bull, who teams up with Native American leader Ghost Eye (Zahn McClarnon) to protect tribal heritage. Add in Mandy (Halsey), who’s escaped from a cult, and you have a chaotic mix of characters chasing after a rare Native American ghost shirt worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A Story Without Focus
Director Tony Tost leans heavily on quirky character traits and eccentricities to drive the story forward, but the narrative feels repetitive. The ghost shirt changes hands a few times, serving as the film’s central MacGuffin, but the emotional weight is missing.
While “Americana” hints at deeper themes — from Native American history to the desperation of rural America — the execution lacks nuance. In the hands of filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino or the Coen Brothers, this could have been a sharp, darkly funny ride. Here, it feels like an imitation without the artistry.
Performances That Can’t Save the Script
Despite the high-profile cast, including Eric Dane as the abusive Dillon and Tamsin Carroll in a supporting role, the performances are overshadowed by the thin screenplay and uninspired cinematography.
Halsey arguably delivers the most engaging performance as Mandy, offering some emotional depth amid the chaos. Sweeney, while talented, is given little room to develop Penny Jo beyond the surface.
A Disappointing Ending
The film concludes with a bloody standoff, a tragic death, and a heartfelt reunion — moments that should be powerful but instead feel hollow. With flat visuals and stilted dialogue, “Americana” fails to deliver a satisfying payoff.
In the end, “Americana” is a visually bland and narratively empty attempt at a gritty, eccentric Western. For fans of Sydney Sweeney, this one is unfortunately a miss.
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