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Smartass

Smartass is a crime drama film written and directed by Jena Serbu. It stars as Freddie, a 15-year-old runaway who navigates the dangers of after her release from juvenile detention, relying on her wit to survive in a rough neighborhood amid deals and racial tensions. The supporting cast includes , , and . The film premiered on , .

Plot and characters

Synopsis

Smartass follows the story of Freddie, a 15-year-old recently released from juvenile , who embarks on a journey through in search of independence and adventure. Upon arriving in , often referred to as California's "Murder City," Freddie encounters a series of strangers that draw her into the gritty urban underbelly, including a pivotal with , a charismatic . As Freddie navigates this dangerous world, she becomes entangled in escalating conflicts involving a high-stakes drug deal worth $50,000 in , racial tensions, and bursts of , all while attempting to reach . Her encounters lead to chaotic chases and precarious alliances, highlighting the perils of youthful rebellion and the allure of forbidden excitement based on true events. Through Joey King's portrayal, Freddie's bold and impulsive journey underscores themes of autonomy amid constant threats.

Cast

Joey King stars as Freddie, the film's protagonist and a rebellious 15-year-old who uses her to survive after being released from juvenile . At 17 years old during , King provided an age-appropriate portrayal of the teenage lead, capturing the character's self-reliant and sharp-tongued nature. Luca Pasqualino plays Donny, Freddie's ally who aids her amid the chaotic criminal elements she encounters. Yvette Nicole Brown portrays Officer Neesy, a who serves as a supportive figure in Freddie's precarious situation. Marc Menchaca appears as Rod, an antagonist entangled in the story's conflicts and threats to the . In supporting roles, Ronen Rubinstein plays Nick, Freddie's friend who joins her on parts of her journey, while Octavio Pizano depicts Lobo, a who forms an unlikely alliance with the runaway teen. Additional notable cast members include Jake Weary as Mickey and Trevante Rhodes as Mike C, contributing to the ensemble's depiction of Southern California's underbelly.

Production

Development

The film Smartass draws inspiration from mostly true events rooted in director Jena Serbu's personal experiences in the Southern California underworld during her youth, particularly a tumultuous night at age 15 when she was arrested as a from her home in after being caught possessing a . This incident, involving encounters with dangerous individuals and a descent into illicit activities, forms the core of the story's authenticity, as Serbu sought to portray the perils faced by a "good kid from a good family" experimenting beyond her sheltered life. Serbu wrote the script herself, emphasizing an authentic teenage perspective drawn directly from her own memories to create a narrative that felt raw and personal rather than fabricated. Development of the project began around 2015, shortly after Serbu, then working as a , connected with potential collaborators and realized her real-life story offered more compelling material than unrelated fictional ideas she had considered. The film was produced by David Ryan and Hunter Ryan, with Lost Lodge Productions and Future Proof Films serving as the primary production companies. The initial concept aimed to fuse crime drama elements—such as racial tensions and drug-related dangers—with coming-of-age themes, securing funding through independent channels including BondIt and a low-budget arrangement under $1 million facilitated by a with direct investment access. joined early in development to star as the .

Filming

Principal photography for Smartass took place in 2016 over several months in Southern California. The film was shot primarily in Los Angeles areas, including skate parks, streets, and motels, to capture the urban grit essential to the story's authenticity. The selection of these locations was influenced by the production's emphasis on realism drawn from the director's personal experiences during development. Cinematography was led by Rob C. Givens, who employed a handheld style to evoke the chaotic energy of the narrative. Editing by Phillip J. Bartell contributed to the film's brisk pacing, ensuring a dynamic flow through its intense sequences. The original score was composed by Raney Shockne after principal photography wrapped. Production faced challenges in handling sensitive scenes depicting violence and drug use, particularly given the involvement of young lead actress Joey King, who was 16 during filming.

Release

Distribution

Smartass premiered on September 12, 2017, in the United States through a limited theatrical release and video-on-demand (VOD) platforms. Gravitas Ventures managed U.S. distribution for the film, a 90-minute production in the English language that contains depictions of drug use, violence, and language, resulting in a TV-MA rating on platforms like IMDb. Initial availability included major VOD services such as and . The film's international distribution was limited, with primary access through streaming in select markets rather than widespread theatrical or physical releases.

Marketing and promotion

The official trailer for Smartass was released on September 20, 2017, by distributor via , emphasizing the film's chaotic adventure through a runaway teenager's perspective and spotlighting Joey King's lead performance as the street-smart Freddie. Promotional efforts included cast interviews and campaigns aimed at young adults, with platforms like featuring engaging content such as "Smartass Pro Tips" to build buzz around the story's irreverent tone. In one interview, Joey King discussed the film's bold narrative, describing her role—filmed when she was 15—as her "craziest" yet, highlighting themes of youthful rebellion and independence amid its racy elements. Marketing materials centered on an edgy, youth-oriented aesthetic, with the official "Where $50,000 worth of , a 15-year-old runaway and an itsy bitsy race war collide" used across posters and online assets to capture the indie crime drama's provocative mix of humor and danger.

Reception

Critical response

Smartass received mixed reviews from critics, with limited coverage. It has no Tomatometer score on due to fewer than the required number of reviews, though the audience score is 76% from a small number of ratings. Due to the limited number of reviews, does not provide a score for . Critics frequently praised Joey King's energetic and authentic portrayal of the rebellious teenager Freddie, highlighting her ability to embody the character's sharp-witted, defiant spirit amid chaotic circumstances. Jena Serbu's direction was commended for effectively capturing the raw disorder of teen life and , infusing the indie production with a sense of unfiltered vitality. However, reviewers pointed to several shortcomings, including uneven pacing that disrupted and underdeveloped subplots, such as peripheral arcs that felt tacked on and unresolved. The film's treatment of serious themes like drug addiction and drew for being superficial and mishandled, often introducing intense elements without sufficient emotional depth or realistic consequences—for instance, depictions of use that appeared consequence-free and a racial conflict subplot reliant on slurs without meaningful exploration. Indie-focused critiques often captured the film's bold yet imperfect , with a review praising Joey King's performance and the direction but criticizing the momentum-less plot, dry characters, and superficial handling of themes such as racial violence and drug use.

Audience response

Audience reception to Smartass has been generally negative, as reflected in user ratings on major platforms. On , the film holds a 4.9/10 rating based on 10,876 user votes. Similarly, users have given it an average of 2.7/5 from more than 400 ratings. Positive feedback from viewers often centers on Joey King's lead performance as the rebellious teen Freddie, with many praising her ability to convey vulnerability amid chaos. Some appreciated the film's entertaining, unpredictable energy and the relatable portrayal of teen angst during Freddie's misadventures. Additionally, a subset of audiences enjoyed the based-on-true-events element, drawing from director Serbu's personal experiences, which added a layer of for those interested in coming-of-age stories. Criticisms, however, dominate user discussions, frequently highlighting the confusing, non-linear that jumps between characters and subplots without clear resolution. Many viewers found the humor inappropriate and tone-deaf when addressing heavy topics like and racial violence, arguing it undermined the seriousness of these issues. Complaints about poor writing were common, with dialogue described as cringeworthy and characters underdeveloped, leading to a sense of storytelling. The film experienced limited success, primarily due to its focus on video-on-demand and streaming distribution rather than a wide theatrical release. It has garnered modest streaming popularity among film enthusiasts, available on platforms like and , where it appeals to niche audiences seeking gritty, low-budget dramas.

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