The Wasteland Reviewer

American Sweatshop (2025) Written Review

Who handles the burden of keeping the work and most disturbing content on social media from the innocent eyes of the unsuspecting? This is a tricky yet essential profession that is to some morally challenging work. Having the authority to determine the fine line between free experience and violence and danger is increasingly relevant with recent events in American society. That makes American Sweatshop such an impactful and uncomfortable watch for sure. Violence. Sex. Hate. The question of freedom of expression becomes an uncomfortable space to navigate and this thriller dives headlong into the grey space. 

How does director Uta Briesewitz navigate this challenging subject matter? American Sweatshop is an uncomfortably intimate and challenging film. So much of the “action” is our protagonist (and other employees) looking at computer screening and reckoning with the horrors and carnage in these social media posts. Briesewitz and cinematographer Jorg Widmer take specific approaches to these moments that work quite effectively. There is a quick shot at a video title that sets the expectation for what is in this horror video. The shots are framed to give just a bit of a blurred video to give the audience just a taste. But Briesewitz trusts her actors to sell the rest with uncomfortable close-ups of their genuine and horrified reactions. The film spends a lot of space in this office but once things shift to our protagonist’s personal life, there are some more unnerving and shocking moments. Briesewitz balances suspense and tension well throughout which makes this such an effective thriller. 

Does Matthew Nemeth’s screenplay do work to deliver on this film’s thesis on censorship? Overall, Nemeth’s script and Briesewitz’ direction make the messaging of the film quite blunt. There is little finesse in how American Sweatshop navigates these topics (if you could tell from the title which also lacks any type of subtlety). Our protagonist is challenged in her work and is soon challenged in her personal life. The film takes some unexpected turns and forces both these aspects of Daisy Moriarty’s life together in some uncomfortable and unnerving ways. The film pulls few punches in navigating the horrors that are on social media. Some of the other characters are unfortunately one-dimensional with them representing specific ideas and less crafting authentic people. Narratively, the film only delivers some compelling beats later in the film but plays it safe with some repetition and clunkiness. American Sweatshop never digs deep enough despite its standout moments and harrowing subject matter. 

Who is the biggest asset to the film? Lili Reinhart. The central performance of Daisy is the real selling point for this unnerving if not slightly shallow thriller. Reinhart delivers the horrors of this scenario in such a committed and poignant way. There is no mistaking the depth of Reinhart’s performance as she navigates the repulsion of the work, her growing rage and frustration, and the isolation she begins to feel. So much of the film lies on Reinhart’s shoulders and luckily her performance holds up. There are a few standout supporting turns by her peers like Daniela Melchior as well as Joel Fry. Loud, aggressive, and angry, Fry screams the themes of the film at the audience and his co-workers. His commitment is enough to make the presence effective and not feel obnoxious. 

Is American Sweatshop a compelling cinematic thriller? Briesewitz might not be the deepest film that navigates such touchy subjects but there is an impact from the bluntness. There are plenty of unnerving moments as these workers struggle through these videos. There are even a few emotional moments that stand out as they result from the trauma of these videos (one stands out involving an animal). Reinhart really makes the film come to life with her strong, rich, and dynamic performance. This will get you to think quite a bit through the shock and horror of it all.