Sick Girl tells the story of Wren Pepper (Nina Dobrev), a woman in her late twenties who still lives like she did in her youth. As her friends have moved onto parenthood and careers, Wren is struggling herself. Believing that their relationships are slipping away, she accidentally blurts out that she’s battling cancer in an effort to garner attention. However, when her little white lie begins to escalate into a massive, life-altering incident, Wren must attempt to find a way to make things right before it’s too late.
Written and directed by Jennifer Cram, Sick Girl is a unique little dramedy tthat, despite its high concept, doesn’t swing for the big laughs. Beginning as a coming-of-age drama, the film begins awkwardly yet, admittedly, grows into something much more profound.
It’s worth noting that much of the film’s success lies at the feet of Dobrev. As Wren, Dobrev delivers a delightfully juvenile performance that both frustrates and charms the viewer. We are meant to both despite Wren’s actions while still caring for her and Dobrev walks that line extremely carefully.
When we first meet Wren, we discover that she’s a bit of a mess. Clinging to her youthfulness with a death grip, Wren is devastated by her friends’ ability to grow up without remorse. Feeling lost and abandoned, Wren leans hard into her lie yet doesn’t expect that her friends are going to offer much more than a few friendly nights out as compensation. Instead, their commitment to her health leaves her shocked and terrified.
While we have seen the sorts of films where a misunderstanding spirals out of control before, this one in particular feels particularly reprehensible. Even so, this level of ‘cringe’ is intentional. Cram ensures that, even as an audience member, we feel uncomfortable with Wren’s deception. Cancer is a disease that is rarely funny onscreen and, to see someone pretend to have it merely to get sympathy makes it difficult to empathize with her antics.
Instead, Sick Girl works best when it shifts direction. When her secret is revealed, the story swerves and does something more meaningful. As she attempts to cover her tracks, Wren also undergoes a new emotional journey. Under the guidance of a friend, she begins to discover what life is like for those who actually do have cancer. Without ruining the films finale, this changes the film entirely.
Perhaps, you could call it a form of ‘chemical appropriation’.
In doing shifting tone, Sick Girl gives the viewer some insight into the daily struggles of cancer recovery. Early wake ups, endless medications and side effects all effectively illustrate the sorts of battles that are dealt with outside of the hospital. It’s hear that Sick Girl sets itself apart and, at times, even makes it special. This isn’t merely a story designed to make us feel sympathy for those with cancer but instead wants to build empathy by giving outsiders a window into their world. (“Call it empathy, 101,“ Wren is told.) It’s in these moments that the film truly comes to life as Wren seeks healing in more than one way.
Although it begins as gut-wrenching, Sick Girl eventually becomes heart-warming. Rather than just go for the broader (and darker) laughs, this becomes a story that leaves a mark on the viewer in the best of ways.
Sick Girl is available in theatres on Friday, October 20th, 2023.
