American Sweatshop

Last updated
American Sweatshop
American Sweatshop poster.jpg
U.S theatrical release poster
Directed by Uta Briesewitz
Written byMatthew Nemeth
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJörg Widmer
Edited byPhilipp Thomas
Production
companies
  • Elsani Film
  • Baltimore Pictures
  • MMC Movies
  • RNA Pictures
Distributed by
Release dates
  • March 8, 2025 (2025-03-08)(SXSW)
  • September 19, 2025 (2025-09-19)(United States)
Running time
100 minutes
Countries
  • Germany
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

American Sweatshop is a 2025 mystery thriller film directed by Uta Briesewitz and written by Matthew Nemeth. It stars Lili Reinhart as a social media content moderator who attempts to solve a violent crime she sees in a video while on the job. Daniela Melchior and Joel Fry provide supporting roles. The film was produced by Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana.

Contents

The film premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in March as part of the Narrative Spotlight category.

Synopsis

Daisy Moriarty, a social media content moderator with a hectic personal life, investigates a violent crime she sees in a video online. [1]

Cast

Production

Uta Briesewitz made her feature directorial debut with American Sweatshop, previously working as a cinematographer and television director. Matthew Nemeth wrote the screenplay. [3]

American actress Lili Reinhart signed on for the film's lead role in May 2024. [2] Daniela Melchior joined the cast with a major supporting role in August 2024. [1]

Filming took place in Cologne at MMC Studios and in Bonn in the summer of 2024. The Film and Media Foundation NRW of Germany supported the project with €400,000. [2] [4] [3]

Release

American Sweatshop premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in March. [5] Plaion Pictures will distribute the film in Germany. [3] On June 2025, Brainstorm Media acquired the North American distribution rights to the film [6] , and set it be released in theaters and on VOD in the United States on September 19. [7]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 73% of 11 critics' reviews are positive. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (August 21, 2024). "'Road House' Star Daniela Melchior Joins 'American Sweatshop'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Wiseman, Andreas; Ntim, Zac (May 17, 2024). "Lili Reinhart To Lead Social Media Thriller 'American Sweatshop' About "Dark Side Of The Internet"; Barry Levinson & Tom Fontana Among Producers — Cannes Market Hot Project". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Drehstart für "American Sweatshop"". Film und Medien Stiftung NRW (in German). July 30, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  4. "Bonn war 2024 erneut ein gefragter Drehort". City of Bonn (in German). January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  5. Bergeson, Samantha (January 22, 2025). "SXSW Film & TV Festival Unveils First Wave of 2025 Lineup: Nicole Kidman, Seth Rogen, Ben Affleck, and More". IndieWire . Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  6. Chitwood, Adam (June 24, 2025). "Brainstorm Media Lands Lili Reinhart Social Media Thriller 'American Sweatshop' | Exclusive". TheWrap . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  7. "2025 Release Schedule". First Showing. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  8. "American Sweatshop". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved August 29, 2025.