Carolina Caroline
Crime
Working All the Angles: A TIFF Review of ‘Carolina Caroline’
September 8, 2025Ben MK
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From Bonnie and Clyde to True Romance, the compelling combination of romance and crime has captivated moviegoers for decades. Whether it's the thrill of living vicariously through the adventure of a pair of outlaws or the element of doomed lovers that adds an extra layer of intrigue, audiences can't seem to get enough of this sub-genre. Like a fever-dream hybrid of Westerns, rom-coms and crime thrillers, these are films that have entrenched themselves in the foundation of American cinema. And with Carolina Caroline, writer-director Adam Rehmeier is adding what's sure to be another fan favorite to this niche list, in this charming and smart take on the classic story of a couple on the run. Caroline Daniels (Samara Weaving) has lived in Texas for as long as she can remember. However, when she has a fateful run-in with a handsome grifter named Oliver (Kyle Gallner) one day, it forever changes the trajectory of her dull and lonely life. Abandoned by her hard-drinking mother, Deborah (Kyra Sedgwick), when she was only a baby, Caroline has spent day in and day out in the same house with her father (Jon Gries) for decades. After she and Oliver start up their whirlwind romance, though, she finally works up the courage to leave everything she knows and loves behind. Becoming both his girlfriend and his mentee, Caroline quickly learns from Oliver how to pickpocket and grift with the best of them. And with the thrill of the con too intoxicating to resist, it doesn't take long for this pair to graduate to robbing banks. Soon, they'll find that every law enforcement agency in the entire South is after them. But will the very real threat of being apprehended and thrown in jail do anything to deter them? And is it only a matter of time before Caroline and Oliver's crime spree takes a deadly turn? Bolstered by a smart and witty script, thrilling heist sequences that would make even Steven Soderbergh jealous, and two of the most charismatic leads a director could ever hope for, the result doesn't leave much to be desired. Granted, savvy viewers will likely be able to see the ending coming from a mile away. However, just as with any adventure, it's not the destination but rather the journey. And with Carolina Caroline, this is one journey that moviegoers will definitely want to come along with for the ride. |
Carolina Caroline screens under the Centrepiece programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 1 hr. 45 min.
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