The Sweater (2024)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

When a young man (Maziyar Khatam) is forced to donate his beloved sweater, he spends the next couple of days doing whatever he can to get it back. The Sweater is special to him, but it’s about to disappear forever. Does he have the gumption to get it back, or will he lose it forever?

Khatam is the key to this film’s success. Not only is he the lead, but he’s also the writer and director. It all starts with and runs through him. The Sweater sees him at his absolute best as our protagonist. He has a presence that is almost indescribable. He’s full of energy, yet he plays the downtrodden, nearly defeated boyfriend. He’s passionate, yet aloof. He’s a walking contradiction in his performance, but in the best possible way. He nails every emotion, and he puts on display a truly spectacular performance from start to finish. Part of what allows him to succeed in his performance is his ability to enunciate and use inflection to alter the tone of his voice. He’s masterful in this regard, again and again using this ability to create a relatable character. 

The Sweater is a raw film, a film that’s hard to compare stylistically to many others. That, however, is part of what makes this film so charming. The Sweater possesses sort of an odd narrative, but it’s simple, honest, real. Allowing the footage present in The Sweater to be so raw, to be so simplistic it allows viewers to connect with it on a fundamental level. I think every now and again the world craves simplicity. In a world full of Hollywood blockbusters and (even outside of Hollywood) insanity, a story that takes us back to basic human concepts, one that traverses the everyday man is essential to our existence. The constant hustle and bustle of the modern world is (sort of) combatted here in this film. Sure, the young man is rushing to accomplish his goal, but that goal exists on such a small scale. The Sweater is innately human, easily relatable, and just what the world needs. 

To say that The Sweater is just what the world needs doesn’t mean that it’s upbeat, because the film is bookended by some powerfully emotional moments. The young man is at the center of both situations, and his emotions are forced to the surface each time. This is where Khatam shines in regard to his writing and directing. There is powerful emotion present at the start and finish, and in those moments I think we are forced, as humans, to look inward, to analyze similar situations from our past. As wonderfully funny as The Sweater is as a whole, the open and close of the film are emotionally trying. You can feel the young man’s pain as you relive some of the darker moments in your own life. 

I’m not sure that Khatam could have performed any better in each of his roles here. The Sweater is straightforward, and it hits all the right emotional notes. Simplicity is key to the film’s success, and I can honestly say that The Sweater is one of the most enjoyable films that I’ve seen this year. 

Written & Directed by Maziyar Khatam. 

Starring Maziyar Khatam, Anya Chirkova, Dylan Ray Hatton, Jake Shannon, & Christian Bunea. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING