3 out of 5 stars (average)
Bittersweet is one of the stranger films I’ve seen in 2025, but I’m happy I did. It’s a dark comedy whose stated aim is to bring more attention to some of the struggles faced by people on the autism spectrum, and as fictionalized portrayals of autism go, writer, director, and lead star Steven Martini does a fine job of bringing it to screen while still finding some good laughs. Bittersweet’s oddness won’t suit all tastes, but those who can go with it will find a sweet, darkly comic yarn.
(4) BitterSweet | Official Trailer | Romance | Comedy – YouTube
Sam (Steven Martini) is a man on the autism spectrum in a fraying relationship with Gigi (Gabriela Kulaif). Gigi’s frustrated over some of Sam’s quirks and him not having popped the question despite them having a kid together, but understands he has a good heart despite his flaws. Unfortunately, when their sexual escapades lead to both their neighbors and the cops falsely thinking Sam’s an abuser, he’s slapped with a restraining order and mandatory emotional management courses. With nowhere to go and ever-decreasing legal options, Sam must navigate this uncertain territory hoping that he can be around to prove himself as a good man and watch his young son grow up.
It took me a few minutes to get a read on Bittersweet. It’s a small-scale courtroom movie, a character study, and has moments of dark humor as we see the world through its lead’s eyes. The cinematography often uses unique angles to highlight the heightened way Sam is experiencing the story’s proceedings, and speaking as an autistic person myself, I think it’s a creative way to showcase how some on the spectrum can feel in emotionally combative situations. I’m unaware if Martini has autism himself, but whether he does or not, I felt he conveyed it solidly. From his tone of voice to facial ticks and anxiety when asked to give eye contact, it feels like Martini has done research on autistic individuals to portray his character respectfully. Kulaif is also good at showing Gigi’s understandable irritation at Sam while also loving him, and William Baldwin scores some out-of-left-field yet welcome laughs as essentially a Men’s Rights Activist who enters later. The film has a relaxed pace and one’s mileage on the jokes may vary, but I enjoyed my time with it and appreciated that there are still filmmakers out there who want to tell smaller stories like this. Its low budget does show at times, but as I’ve said many times before, so long as I’m engaged in the story and characters at play, you’ve won the battle. Bittersweet is an odd yet entertaining movie with a relaxed vibe, off-kilter streak, and dark humor that finds the funny side in unexpected places. See it.
Would be Rated R for Language and Some Sexual Content