One of this year’s under-the-radar horror gems is J.D. Dillard’s Sweetheart, a freaky little island mystery that ultimately delivers a really cool and unique practical creature.

Meredith Borders reviewed the film out of the Sundance Film Festival World Premiere and called it “a beautiful and exhilarating film with an extraordinary leading performance and one hell of a big bad,” noting that “the monster is so cool, and we get a great look at it.”

Kiersey Clemons stars as Jenn, who finds herself completely alone on a small tropical island after her boat goes down. By day, every ounce of her strength, cunning, and courage is strained simply to find food, outlast the elements, and survive.

But as the sun sets, Jenn’s waking nightmare inexorably grows into terror, when a malevolent force comes to stalk the jungle for prey.

Meagan Navarro also raved about Sweetheart in an article we ran last month, writing: “Sweetheart is minimalist horror at its best.” She continued, “Dillard uses a pared back story to let his leading lady and the monster she’s forced to battle shine. It’s simple, yet extremely well-shot. It bides its time to pack a powerful punch where it counts in the third act.”

The film is now available on VOD outlets and will be hitting Netflix on December 25.