After already getting off to a mixed start following its SXSW premiere,Sadie Sink’s new movie is now getting even worse reactions from audiences. Beginning her career on Broadway, Sink quickly became a breakout star with her turn asMax in Netflix’sStranger Things, scoring rave reviews for her fierce performance as the young protagonist, particularly in season 4 as she grappled with the death of her brother and became the target of the villainous Vecna. She was also at the center of one of its most viral moments, that being the “Running Up The Hill” chase scene with Vecna.
In the wake of herStranger Thingssuccess, Sink has expanded her portfolio to the world of film, including fellow Netflix titlesEliandtheFear Streettrilogy, leadingPart Two: 1978’s cast and holding a supporting role inPart Three: 1666’s roster. She’s also begun showcasing more of her dramatic work,including her raved-about supporting turn in Darren Aronofsky’sThe Whale, and the well-receivedDear Zoe. Unfortunately, one of her newest projects isn’t getting the same level of love.
O’Dessa’s Audience Score On Rotten Tomatoes Is Now Far Worse Than Critics
It’s Also One Of Sink’s Lowest Of Her Career
As audiences eagerly await her return forStranger Things' final season, Sink is back on screen forO’Dessa, though it isn’t quite clicking with viewers. Sink leads the star-studded film as the titular farm girl who journeys from her home through a post-apocalyptic world, arriving at a dystopian city lorded over by an eccentric figure, where she falls in love and embraces her musical potential, while also realizing her potential to assist in the revolution against him. Also starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Murray Bartlett,O’Dessagarnered mixed reviewsfrom critics out of its SXSW premiere.
Now, with the film having made its wide premiere on Hulu,O’Dessa’s Audience score fromRotten Tomatoesis officially in. Calculated from over 100 reviews,the post-apocalyptic musical holds just a 28% approval rating from Audiences on the review aggregate, as well as an average score of 2.1 out of 5 stars. This officially puts it far lower than the movie’s already mixed 43% critics score on the platform.
Our Take On O’Dessa’s Lackluster Rotten Tomatoes Scores
The Movie Always Seemed Destined For Cult Classic Status
With its Audience score currently resting in the high 20s on Rotten Tomatoes,O’Dessaunfortunately marks one of Sink’s worst-reviewed movies of her career. Sitting as her 10th film to garner both scores on the review aggregate, the post-apocalyptic musical is rivaled only byher psychological thrillerA Sacrifice, which holds 22% and 28% approval scores, respectively. See howO’Dessacompares to Sink’s other films on Rotten Tomatoes in the chart below:
82%
63%
52%
70%
36%
88%
81%
89%
75%
71%
87%
64%
91%
22%
28%
43%
In spite of the movie’s lackluster reception, it certainly won’t be much of a hindrance for Sink’s career going forward,especially as she already has multiple projects that are sure to put her back on a positive Rotten Tomatoes streak. Filming onStranger Thingsseason 5 wrapped in December 2024, with the Duffer Brothers promising that the final season of the hit Netflix show is on track to release later this year. Additionally, she was just recently reported to be joiningthe nextSpider-Mancastin an undisclosed, giving her future Marvel Cinematic Universe prospects.
However, while these scores are certainly not the most flattering,that also doesn’t necessarily meanO’Dessawon’t find some love in the future. The combination of the movie’s unique setting and musical aesthetic really make it prime to become a cult classic down the line, particularly as my mind immediately goes tothe likes ofThe Rocky Horror Picture ShowandRepo! The Genetic Opera. Though it sadly won’t get the midnight theatrical run the former got, it can still find a passionate fanbase thanks to its streaming availability on Hulu and Disney+.
O’Dessa
Cast
O’Dessa is a 2025 adventure film where a farm girl embarks on a quest to retrieve a family heirloom, bringing her to a perilous city. There, she encounters her true love and faces a test of destiny and song to save his soul.
