Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Spoonful of Sugar’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Spoonful of Sugar’.
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One particular question that has plagued mankind for ages on end, is what creates the evil that thrives in our world. And we ask that question often, simply because… we want nothing more than for evil to leave our lives so that the world can enjoy peace and wonder and the joy that we all seek. So, we work hard to try and understand evil and its origins to quell it, and thus far… we’ve not yet figured out its true source. For our belief that a rough childhood creates monsters doesn’t always add up since some people pull themselves from the proverbial ashes and rise up to be a beacon in their community. Yet there are other folks who seem to be inherently ‘normal’ and without malice who snap one day and cause great harm to others in a shocking and cruel manner. 
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Which is why we continue to ask that question, and at times… it truly seems as though we won’t ever answer it. In fact, we seem ready to accept that evil is nothing more than the yang to our yin, part of the dark side of the human experience from which there will be no escape. But perhaps we are simply looking for a complex answer that doesn’t exist. Where perhaps instead, what truly creates evil in this world is far simpler in nature and far easier to fix than we give it credit. Which sounds like an incredulous concept, since evil does incredible and horrible things that require complex thought and dedication to suffering. But it is a possibility that fiction is starting to ponder upon, as evidenced by a brand-new Shudder Original feature, and that makes Spoonful of Sugar, quite the fascinating and disturbing ride. 

One that explores that possibility, by plunging us into the broken world of a woman named Millicent. Who is working to heal the many scars she suffered in her youth by bouncing around the foster care system, and one way she believes that she can heal… is by changing the fortunes of children that are struggling in life, and she may have found the one child that can fix her. For a young boy named Johnny, who suffers badly from severe mental health and physical issues, is in need of a sitter. One that she wishes to be because she feels she can reach him and heal him, and after landing the job, for a time it appears that is the case. For he responds well to her and begins to show the world what love can do. But sadly… this blissful union is not meant to last. For there are secrets about Johnny’s family that Millicent isn’t aware of and vice versa for the family and the truth that is waiting to come to light… will bring about disaster.

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Which is a plot that at first glance, seems mired more in an exploration of how we marginalize mental health issues and there are a lot of moments to back that up as well. Since Millicent is indeed doing her best to heal and is exposing herself to radical new treatments and therapies to heal her psyche and often finds herself compromised by the sheer ignorance of the world. Not to mention, Johnny’s issues with his own health only to seem to hammer that concept home early, since she is the only one who shows him love and affection instead of disdain and worry. But as this story continues along, and we learn the truth about Johnny and Millicent and what they actually want out of life, is when this story begins to explore how evil is born in this world and how its origin is far simpler than we have ever considered. 
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Simply because, this story points out in no small terms… that apathy and cruelty help to give rise to evil. For our lack of decorum and our desire to treat only our world with respect, can indeed push people already on the edge… over it… and motivate them to commit to the darkness simply because they feel they no longer matter and that getting theirs is the only path to happiness. Not to mention, that apathy, lets it persist. For so many just see evil as not their problem or that perhaps a person will snap out of it, and that is simply not the case. For once it takes hold, it does not let go, and our desire to tolerate it, leads to the horrific moments present in this story. The kind where we learn the truth about everyone in this story, and how they each embody this theme, is one big reason that this motion picture stays with you long after it has come to an end.

The other… relates to the sheer atmosphere of this story. Because it needs to be pointed out that this is a jarring experience from beginning to end. One that provides us with uncomfortable and awkward moments and jarring performances and non-traditional visuals to keep us off guard and leave every last one of us squirming in our seats. Which makes this, a magnificent horror film. One that focuses on the greatest monster of all, humanity, and holds nothing back in its frank examination of how we are the true masters of evil, a concept we created through ego, libido and cruelty and indifference, and how it may take us a long time to conquer evil… since we don’t seem all that ready to step beyond our own sinister shadow.  

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