Sweetpea: TV Review 

Yellowjackets star Ella Purnell stars in this adaptation of CJ Skuse's novels about a girl pushed to the edge.

Purnell is Rhiannon Lewis, a wallflower, whose daily life passes uneventfully noticed by many. Ignored by everyone around her, Rhiannon has a Kill List. From the manspreaders on the bus to the newspaper boss who belittles her by calling her "Sweetpea" and who passes her over for a possible junior position in the office in favour of a family friend's son.

It's not just limited to current day either - Rhiannon's anger stretches back to her being bullied in high school by popular girl Julia (Nicole Lecky) and whose barbs left her literally pulling her own hair out. 

But one day, after a personal tragedy, Rhiannon snaps - and begins a murderous rampage that sees her become the centre of her own world and the reaction to it. As it progresses, the question begins to be - just how far will she go to fulfill her own destiny and guide her own future?

Sweetpea benefits from Purnell's subtle take on what could be a run-of-the-mill psychopath a la Dexter. Hardwired into the story are societal elements about how far women are pushed, how the patriarchy adores the enablers and how those who appear to be perfect are also damaged. In many ways, these are not new narratives, not stories we've not seen before of female killers driven to extremes.

But rather than sensationalise it, Sweetpea makes us look back upon ourselves and wonder whether we're right to support Rhiannon - or whether we are in fact the monsters we create.

A fidgety Purnell makes for a compelling lead, and watching her grow as her confidence is boosted by her own evil - yet relatable and understandable - ways makes for interesting viewing. Unfortunately though, not once are any of these moral quandaries writ larger than they should be and at times, it borders on misandrist in some ways, with the script simply ensuring those who are offed comply to a stereotype.

Yet here's where the rub is with Sweetpea - it does it in such a way, and with some twists, that lessen the blow. It's thanks largely to Purnell's demeanour and portrayal of what is essentially an avenging angel - and to a few late in the run twists that offer a more knotty take on the moral issues.

Eminently watchable though nowhere near as much of a powderkeg as it could be, Sweetpea delivers a slick and stylish take on the psychopath genre, slid carefully through a feminist prism. It's an intriguing mix that nearly delivers as much as it promises.

Sweetpea premieres on Neon on October 10.