American Sweatshop Christian Review
American Sweatshop… the name itself feels heavy, almost suffocating. You expect factories, exploitation, the grind of labor. But the film takes that word “sweatshop” and drags it into the digital age.
We follow Daisy Moriarty—already carrying the weight of a chaotic personal life—when she gets pulled deeper and deeper into the underbelly of social media. At first, it’s intoxicating: likes, clicks, attention. But soon, the mask slips. It’s not freedom, it’s slavery. Not connection, but exploitation. A sweatshop of the soul.
From a Christian lens, this is painfully relevant. John 8:34 says: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Daisy thinks she’s chasing validation, but she’s really shackling herself. The internet promises power, but it delivers emptiness. It chews people up, spits them out, and calls it entertainment.
Family-friendliness? Absolutely not. This is not a popcorn-and-family movie. It’s dark, disturbing, and often uncomfortable. But maybe that’s the point—it’s a warning siren.
Positive role models? Hardly any. Daisy is sympathetic, but broken. The people around her exploit, manipulate, consume. And in that absence of light, the shadows look darker. But again, the Bible already spoke this: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). Social media often glorifies destruction—and Daisy’s journey proves it.
Spiritually, the biggest thing missing is grace. No prayer, no repentance, no turning back. Just a downward spiral. And that absence aches as you watch. Because American Sweatshop doesn’t just show Daisy—it shows us. Our screens, our addictions, our distractions. We trade hours, peace, and even identity for a few moments of online applause.
Verdict? This film doesn’t preach. It doesn’t offer easy answers. But it does expose the lie: that digital fame and online presence can fill the void in our hearts. It’s raw. It’s ugly. It’s true.
And maybe that’s why it lingers long after the credits. Because deep down, you realize only Christ can break the chains of this sweatshop. Galatians 5:1 whispers over the noise: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
