The Voyeurs (2021) is a steamy, neon-soaked thriller that lives and dies by its daring premise—and at the center of it all is Sydney Sweeney, who delivers a fearless, captivating performance that proves she’s so much more than just another rising star. Directed by Michael Mohan, The Voyeurs channels classic erotic thrillers of the ‘80s and ‘90s (Rear Window meets Body Double) but with a modern edge, exploring desire, obsession, and the blurred line between watching and living.
Sweeney stars as Pippa, a young woman who has just moved into a sleek Montreal apartment with her boyfriend, Thomas (Justice Smith). Their new place comes with an unexpected perk—or curse: giant windows that provide a front-row view into the intimate lives of their across-the-street neighbors, the glamorous couple Seb (Ben Hardy) and Julia (Natasha Liu Bordizzo). What begins as innocent curiosity quickly morphs into an addictive voyeuristic spiral as Pippa becomes increasingly entangled in her neighbors’ dangerous games.
Sydney Sweeney brings an electric mix of innocence and recklessness to Pippa—she’s sweet and curious at first, but you can feel the thrill bubbling just beneath the surface as she leans further into the dark excitement of spying. It’s a tricky role that requires her to shift from wide-eyed fascination to moral ambiguity to raw vulnerability, and she nails every beat. Her expressive eyes say as much as any line of dialogue—she pulls you into Pippa’s internal world, where boundaries dissolve and curiosity turns to obsession.
What makes The Voyeurs more than just a glossy erotic diversion is how it uses Pippa’s unraveling as a commentary on our culture of constant surveillance and blurred consent. As Pippa watches—and then intervenes—she crosses lines she can’t uncross, setting off twists and betrayals that leave you questioning who’s really in control. By the end, Sydney Sweeney’s performance anchors the film’s final gut-punch with a mix of heartbreak and cold resolve.
The film’s lush cinematography, moody soundtrack, and unapologetic eroticism give it a pulpy, almost retro feel—like a guilty pleasure thriller updated for the age of social media and digital spying. But it’s Sweeney who elevates the whole thing, turning what could have been forgettable softcore voyeurism into a compelling exploration of how desire and curiosity can consume you—and how sometimes, you become part of the spectacle you can’t stop watching.
If The Voyeurs proved anything, it’s that Sydney Sweeney is unafraid to take risks—and she has the talent and magnetic screen presence to keep you glued to every reckless, revealing second.
