Sharp Stick

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Sharp Stick

R

2022

1h 26m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

105 Reviews

39%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Sarah Jo (Kristine Froseth) is a sensitive and naïve 26-year-old living on the fringes of Hollywood with her disillusioned mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and influencer sister (Taylour Paige). Working as a caregiver and just longing to be seen, she begins an exploratory affair with her older, married employer (Jon Bernthal), and is thrust into a startling education on sexuality, loss and power.

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Critics Consensus

A series of promising ideas lost in scattershot execution, Sharp Stick stands as a disappointing setback for writer-director Lena Dunham.

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Alison Herman

The Ringer

Even as Sharp Stick deals with extremely adult material, it adopts a purposeful innocence that makes Dunham’s latest work less counterintuitive than it might seem.

Oct 11, 2022

Full Review

Scott Tobias

The Reveal

Even when Dunham seems intent on driving them all into a narrative ditch, it’s worth the rubbernecking.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 3, 2022

Full Review

Chandler Levack

Globe and Mail

It’s nearly impossible to make anything good when the internet is telling you to kill yourself on a daily basis. The fact that Dunham persists is accomplishment enough.

Aug 16, 2022

Full Review

Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

If I came to watch a movie called SHARP STICK directed, produced, and written by Lena Dunham, I will certainly see a movie called SHARP STICK directed, produced, and written by Lena Dunham.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 20, 2025

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Annlee Ellingson

CineWomen

As confounding as the character’s quirks are ... what follows is a sex-positive journey of self-discovery that’s a sweet as it is explicit.

Jul 29, 2024

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Steve Morrissey

Radio Times

While the plot stretches plausibility, Dunham knows how to write a great scene, and the sexual meet-cute between Sarah Jo and Josh is about as grimly hilarious as they come.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 31, 2023

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CC

Refreshing and captivating

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/22

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Andie

I thought that this was a very current, relevant, relatable, and honest coming of age during a pandemic story. The characters were very well developed and the music was great too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/22

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MB

Hilarious in many and unexpected ways with strong performances by a well cast ensemble. Froseth leaps off the screen and Bernthal is perfectly (and yet loveably) cringy. Dunham uniquely captures porn through a female lens - and thanks to Speedman, I want a Vance LeRoy sequel!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/22

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 26 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Nudity, Language Throughout, Drug Use and Strong Sexual Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

Full Review

Manon A

Reading the reviews I was expecting yet another unnecessarily over-sexualized film. And in the end not at all, the scenes are present without being vulgar, it's well filmed and directed. I also appreciate that the nudity is kept discreet. The film is aesthetically pleasing, it addresses an interesting topic without being too heavy. I really like it, and the casting is just perfect. I know this movie is considered odd but for me it works really well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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AR T.

Entertaining and funny to say the least… have gone back to watch and enjoy multiple times. Incredible performances all around!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

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Lena Dunham

Director

Kristine Froseth

Sarah Jo

Jon Bernthal

Josh

Luka Sabbat

Arvin

Scott Speedman

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Lena Dunham

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Synopsis

Sarah Jo (Kristine Froseth) is a sensitive and naïve 26-year-old living on the fringes of Hollywood with her disillusioned mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and influencer sister (Taylour Paige). Working as a caregiver and just longing to be seen, she begins an exploratory affair with her older, married employer (Jon Bernthal), and is thrust into a startling education on sexuality, loss and power.

Director: Lena Dunham
Producer: Lena Dunham, Michael P. Cohen, Kevin Turen, Katia Washington
Screenwriter: Lena Dunham
Distributor: Utopia
Production Co: FilmNation Entertainment, Good Thing Going
Rating: R (Some Nudity|Language Throughout|Drug Use|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 29, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 16, 2022
Runtime: 1h 26m

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