In the world of Hollywood, Sydney Sweeney has emerged as an exceptional talent, earning accolades for her Emmy-nominated portrayals of Cassie Howard in Euphoria and Olivia Mossbacher in The White Lotus. Yet, her journey began long before these breakthrough performances. At just 13 years old, Sweeney made her cinematic debut, stepping into the shoes of a young Amber Heard in the 2010 horror/mystery/thriller, The Ward, as the youthful incarnation of Heard’s character, Kristen.
Sweeney’s star has been on a meteoric rise, garnering attention and demand after her compelling performances in two highly acclaimed projects. Looking ahead, Sweeney’s name is attached to significant ventures including the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Madame Web, the chilling horror film Immaculate, the suspenseful Echo Valley, and an intriguing untitled project by Sony Pictures.
However, did Sweeney’s decision to portray a young Amber Heard, who is now an infamous name in Hollywood for destroying her ex-husband Johnny Depp’s life, affect her career?
How Sydney Sweeney almost destroyed her career before portraying a young Amber Heard
Sydney Sweeney’s journey into acting was sparked when she auditioned for an independent production in her local area. Motivated by her passion, she devised a comprehensive five-year plan, persuading her parents to support her pursuit of a film career. This path eventually led her to her big break alongside Amber Heard.
Preceding The Ward, Sweeney’s early acting credits encompassed diverse roles, such as a comedy sci-fi horror film titled ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction. She then embarked on minor roles in prominent television series like Heroes and Criminal Minds. However, it was her pivotal role as the young Amber Heard in The Ward that marked her fifth acting endeavor and propelled her onto a larger stage.
Penned by sibling writing partners Michael and Shawn Rasmussen, known for their contributions to the horror genre with titles like Crawl, The Inhabitants, and Dark Feed, The Ward found itself under the direction of the legendary John Carpenter. Carpenter, renowned for helming horror classics such as The Village of the Damned and Ghosts of Mars, guided a cast that featured the talents of Mamie Gummer, Danielle Panabaker, Amber Heard, and the young Sydney Sweeney.
How did Sydney Sweeney’s performance in The Ward affect her career?
The Ward weaved elements of horror, thriller, and mystery into a bewitching narrative. The story followed Amber Heard’s character, Kristen, a disturbed woman committed to a mental hospital following a destructive fire. In The Ward, Sydney Sweeney impeccably portrayed the younger version of Kristen, contributing to the film’s intricate character dynamics.
While The Ward garnered mixed reviews overall, the spotlight remained off the performances of Amber Heard and Sydney Sweeney. Critics, however, expressed disappointment in John Carpenter’s direction, expecting more from the seasoned horror director.
Post-The Ward, Sydney Sweeney’s journey in the entertainment industry persisted, leading her to diverse roles in productions such as The Opium Eater and Stolen From Suburbia. Her talent also graced television screens through appearances in shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars. However, her major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the Netflix series Everything Sucks!, solidifying her status as a rising star.
In hindsight, Sydney Sweeney’s trajectory from a young participant in The Ward to her current status as a sought-after talent underscores her unwavering dedication and evolving capabilities as an actress.
Source: Giant Freakin Robot
