SUGAR BEACH

(director: Noely Mendoza; screenwriter: Zoe Manz; cinematographer: Pamela Eunicet; editors: Jack Hansen, Christina Sun Kim; music: Chelsea McGough; cast: Zoe Manzotti (Roslyn Roman), Jordyn Raya James (Roslyn), Emma Blomquist (Emma Tanner), Ryley Schroeder (Isaac Fitzpatrick), Laird Akeo (Matthew), Cameron Gayden (young Gabriel), Colin McCalla (Gabriel), Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson (Kiara Henry), Michael Landes (Peter Fitzpatrick), Alyshia Ochse (Alice Fitzpatrick), Rachael Holoway (Madelyn Roman), Al Coronel (Principal Fixen),  Megan Lawless (Cassandra), Oliver Blank (Kyle), Kio Cyr (Frosty); Runtime: 87; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Bobbie Blyle, Tony Bracy, Korey Washington, Re’Shaun Frear; Brace Yourself/Craig Film & Media; 2025)

“An okay coming-of-age teen drama.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
 
An okay coming-of-age teen drama, with nothing exceptional about it, as directed by first-timer Noely Mendoza and written by Zoe Manz.

The California high school senior, at an elite prep school, in a wealthy unnamed suburban town, the A-student and soccer star, Roslyn (Zoe Manzotti), is still depressed over the surfing death of her twin brother Gabriel (Cameron Gayden) some 5 years earlier and becomes an alcoholic.

She gets caught on a video, taken by one of her haters, as she’s partying with her school friends Emma (Emma Blomquist) and her bf Isaac (Ryley Schroeder) in a sex threesome. They are reported as under the legal age of 18 drinkers. As punishment, Principal Fixen (Al Coronel) removes Rosalyn and Isaac from being chosen class valedictorians.

The essence of the film is that Rosalyn must learn how to forgive herself, get over her guilt trip, and deal with an absentee father and a flawed mother (Rachael Holoway) who’s not emotionally there for her. The formulaic film could have been better edited and cut some of the unnecessary subplots that made things drag.

REVIEWED ON 8/3/2026  GRADE: C+
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